Once the domain of big broadcasters like the BBC, video is now becoming more democratised. The plummeting cost and increasing quality of consumer cameras has opened up the world of filming to the masses. Internet services like youtube or vimeo have given people a platform to broadcast their movies.
So in this blog, I’m going to try and bring you videos (and audio) from the world of medicine.
To kick us off, I’ve got some stunning visualisation from Hans Rosling, a professor of public health at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute. He brings information to life with a clever tool he helped to develop (since bought by google, and called motion charts). Here he talks about perceptions of the developed and developing world via Trish Groves at TED.
New Scientist reports on new surgical techniques to tackle obesity, with these alternatives to stomach bypass surgery. The first one places a device that extends down the small intestine, blocking uptake of food. It is simply fitted and removed by endoscopy. The second, pacemaker-like device, works by stimulating nerves with small electronic pulses to block feelings of hunger.
We’ve heard about health tourism (the public going abroad for affordable dentistry and cosmetic surgery) but the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping there. France 24’s English language channel reports on the increasing number of students opting to study in Romania, citing cost as a big reason why they choose to do so.
And finally from the archive, this is one of the most beautiful visualisations of what goes on inside the body. Produced for Harvard University Press, here’s The Inner Life of the Cell.
I’ll bring you more video and audio in the coming weeks and months. Don’t forget you can see the BMJ’s videos on our youtube channel or by going to our video archive page.
Duncan Jarvies is podcast producer, BMJ