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15. Dr Margaret McCartney

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Dr McCartney plays a medical equivalent of Pokemon GO: if non-evidence-based medicine rears its head, she will track it down and snare it. (Indeed she has recommended GPs prescribe the new active version of the popular video game to get kids outside.)

The Glasgow GP and BMJ columnist is one of the most inspirational and respected GPs around. Nominations cited her ‘challenging thinking’ on clinical care. She has won battles against private screening companies after taking them to the Advertising Standards Authority and this year will publish her third book The State of Medicine: keeping the promise of the NHS.

As chair of the RCGP’s overdiagnosis group, she is launching a website to publicise new tests for scrutinising the benefits and harms of new health policies. The group has already criticised the controversial NHS Health Checks scheme and been involved in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ Choosing Wisely initiative.

Dr McCartney also presents a programme on general practice on BBC Radio 4, Farewell Doctor Finlay.

Why influential: A clarion for commonsense medicine

Surprising fact: She appeared in a comedy show at this year’s Edinburgh festival

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