I don’t often have the chance to meet people like Ron Dembo, who have a vision and ideas that could change the world, or at least the world of healthcare. Dembo is the CEO and Founder of Zerofootprint, a software and services company that makes environmental impact measurable, visible, and manageable to businesses, governments, institutions, […]
Category: Tiago Villanueva
Tiago Villanueva: Have you started planning your death?
I have to admit I always try to steer away from any uncomfortable thoughts about death concerning myself or my loved ones, and I have realized that I have never given a thought, let alone done any of the five things recommended by the coalition Dying Matters to both live and die well. They recommend […]
Tiago Villanueva: Medical education and healthcare in the Philippines
My Filipino roots and family ties usually take me to the Philippines once a year, but this year my trip was unusual as I had the chance to make contact with the local healthcare and medical education system. This was all unplanned as a relative has been receiving hospital treatment and I ended up visiting […]
Tiago Villanueva: Are vegetarian diets better for health?
One might think that vegetarian diets are better for one’s health, but that is not necessarily the case, as it is possible to be vegetarian and consume predominantly “empty calories” like French fries or biscuits. But balanced and appropriately planned vegetarian diets could make a considerable difference to one’s health, according to Annemarie Ijkema, a […]
Tiago Villanueva: What have I learnt from dealing with an in-flight medical emergency?
Recently I was confronted with a medical emergency on board a short haul to Europe. The problem was a case of syncope, which is the most common in-flight medical emergency. It was the first time I heard the phrase “Is there a doctor on board?” and I was apparently the only doctor on that flight. […]
Tiago Villanueva: Is active travel good for health?
If you thought Australia was the envy of the rest of the world in terms of having the most physically active people, think again. Peter McCue, executive officer for the New South Wales Premier’s Council for Active Living, recently gave a talk entitled, “Walk hand in hand: health and transport collaborations,” organised by C3 Collaborating […]
Tiago Villanueva: Should medical students spend time in resource poor settings?
I believe firmly in the importance of medical students and doctors engaging in international experiences, and in the international mobility of doctors. So I decided to go along to a conference on the 11 October, organised by the Medical Schools Council entitled, “Working together for ethical, educational, and safe placements at home and abroad.” In […]
Tiago Villanueva: The obesity epidemic in Mexico
I recently learned that about 38% of the calories consumed by pregnant women in Mexico comes from the consumption of sugary drinks, like sodas. Mexico also has the highest consumption of Coca-cola per capita of anywhere else in the world. Not surprisingly, Mexico also has the highest growth of obesity rates in the world. Mexico’s […]
Tiago Villanueva: How can doctors avoid becoming deskilled whilst working in non-clinical roles?
My main concern about working in a fulltime non-clinical position is becoming a less competent doctor by the time I start to see patients again (whenever and wherever that is). Doctors need to continually see patients and to regularly study and manage their own needs of Continuous Medical Education (CME) to avoid becoming deskilled, particularly […]
Tiago Villanueva: Am I happy about leaving Portugal and clinical medicine?
About a month ago, I left my family, friends, and comfort zone in Portugal to take up the job of BMJ editorial registrar at The BMJ‘s editorial office in London. You might think that I’m just another of the many doctors trying to escape the Southern European misery and grim career perspectives. […]