The news that virtual reality is making a comeback is likely to meet with a mixed reception in the world of medical education. Concerns were recently raised that simulation should be used less in medical education, and that medical schools “have vastly overused and abused the technologies of the unreal.” But the use of immersive […]
Category: Guest writers
Neel Sharma: Validation in medical education—from classroom to curriculum
In clinical research there is typically a transition from cell based analysis, animal work, and human involvement before any form of intervention, be it diagnostic or treatment based, is deemed valid in a clinical setting. One example I can relate to currently is the use of image enhanced endoscopy which my colleagues and I are working on […]
Katherine Sleeman: Assisted dying is about more than autonomy
Last month, Jeffrey Spector, a business man from Lancashire, travelled to Switzerland to receive assistance to die. He had been diagnosed six years earlier with an inoperable spinal tumour, which although was unlikely to kill him, would almost certainly have led to progressive paralysis and dependence. His choice, supported by his wife and family, was […]
Michel Kazatchkine: Tuberculosis and poverty in Europe
After recently returning from a ministerial conference on tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant TB held on the initiative of the Latvian Presidency of the European Union, I am encouraged that our political elites are eventually deciding to commit to eradicate—rather than to only “control”—TB, the world biggest killing curable disease. Tuberculosis has always been a […]
Jyoti Shah: How can we address sexism in medicine?
A blog to expose some of the worst examples of sexism in Hollywood has become an enormous hit simply due to the incredible number of contributions; all remaining anonymous because of “fear of retaliation.” Published on the canvas of the social media platform Tumblr, the blog, “Shit People Say to Women Directors” is taking the film […]
Gillian MacDougall: Why I support a change in the law on assisted suicide
I have been a supporter of legalising assisted dying since the late Margo MacDonald first proposed a change of the law in Scotland in 2010. When the revised bill (Assisted Suicide [Scotland] Bill 2013) was launched, I decided it was time to “put my head above the parapet” and become a public supporter. At that […]
Neel Sharma: Reforms in medical education—are we missing something?
Medical education has seen significant change over the past decade and more. Advances in teaching, learning, and assessment strategies are vast. The didactic lecture form of teaching is no longer the flavour of the month it seems with more and more emphasis on problem and team based learning. Classrooms are seeing the use of mobile […]
Pallavi Bradshaw: Should employers have access to employees medical records?
Flying has become an integral part of modern life, whether for pleasure or business. I have never been a nervous flyer although I would be lying if I said that I don’t get a little nervous, like most, when there is unexpected turbulence. For that split second, you worry about engine failure or a terrorist […]
Neel Sharma: Getting the right medical students comes with time
Last month, Richard Schwartzstein authored his perspective on poor communication skills among medical students and beyond (1). I read this with great interest and wanted to share my insights as a doctor in training. In the UK, it was also noted that allegations about doctors’ communication skills had risen by 69 per cent in the […]
Neel Sharma et al: Is wearable technology the next “big thing” in medical education?
Sometimes it can seem that technology is rapidly becoming more important than the instructor in medical education particularly with the rise of smart phones, tablets, and high fidelity simulation. Whilst educationalists like ourselves emphasise that the focus is not on the technology itself but rather on the appropriate use of technologies to enhance the teaching […]