A booklet a little larger than the size of a two column review may seem unimportant. But this is an exception. This publication is for patients with ulcerative colitis and such sources of information should be the concern of gastroenterologists. It has been written by Andrew Robinson, whose self management programme for patients with colitis leads to fewer outpatient visits, more rapid treatment of relapse, and improved patient satisfaction (Gut1999;44:A12) and Anne Kennedy, a research fellow in primary care. They …