MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'graduate'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140275&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fthe_nih_wonders_about_the_future_of_biomedical_workers.php A reader passes along this request for comment by the NIH. The "Advisory Committee to the NIH Director Working Group on the Future Biomedical Research Workforce" is asking for thoughts on issues such as the length of time it takes to get a PhD, the balance between non-US and US workers, length of post-doctoral training, the prospects for employment after such is completed, general issues relating to whether people choose biomedical research as a career at all, and so on. These are, of course, issues that have come up here repeatedly (as well they should), so if you want to have a shot at influencing some NIH thinking on them, they're asking for anyone's thoughts by October 7. (Use this form). (Source: In the Pipeline) In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140275 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:10:59 +0100 5140275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125808&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-12-2011%2F Every day can seem pretty ordinary. It can look almost identical on the surface. But if you were to take a magnify glass and zoom in on the individual moments of your day, you may be surprised by what you find. Within those 24 hours, there are mini lessons, opportunities to choose differently and open doors toward self-growth. The problem is we’re usually too busy to notice them. Take today, for example. There was the lady who blatantly and unashamedly pushed me out of the grocery line. I could have chosen to say something. But I didn’t. I was also late for an appointment. I could have carried the guilt I felt throughout the rest of my day. But I didn’t do that either. And there was that darn migraine. The headache that I’ve had since high school-the type that makes... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125808 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:34 +0100 5125808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118641&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbeing-a-doctor-is-a-lot-like-being-a-parent-you-cant-tap-out%2F2011.08.11 The American College of Graduate Medical Education has enacted further restrictions on resident work hours.  No more than 80 hours per week of work for resident physicians, averaged over one month.  And no more than 16 hours of continuous work for first year residents (24 after that), which includes patient care, academic lectures, etc. Whenever they do this sort of thing, everyone seems excited that it will make everyone safer.  After all, residents won’t be working as much, so they’ll be more rested and make much better decisions.  It’s all ‘win-win,’ as physicians in training and patients alike are safer. I guess.  The problem of course is that after training, work hours aren’t restricted.  There is no set limit on the amount of work a physician can be expected to do, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118641 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:05:30 +0100 5118641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057720&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpsychiatrist-reviews-crazy-book-finds-some-genuineness-behind-authors-bravado%2F2011.07.23 Rob Dobrenski, PhD. is a psychologist who blogs over on ShrinkTalk.net.  He’s written a book about what it’s like to be a psychology graduate student, a psychotherapy patient, and a psychologist.  Oh, we like the folks who go from Shrink blog to Shrink book — it somehow feels familiar — and so I agreed to read his book: Crazy: Tales on and Off the Couch. So bear with me while I tell you that the book rubbed me wrong at the outset.  Dr. Dobrenski begins by saying something to the effect that he describes things that all shrinks feel, and if they say they don’t, they aren’t being honest.  I really hate it when people tell me what I feel.  It’s like saying that Prozac made your depression better and if it didn’t, then you just didn’t ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057720 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:00:00 +0100 5057720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051202&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fsezen_sames_what_does_it_say_about_grad_school.php If you haven't seen it, Chembark has Part III of the series on the Sezen/Sames research scandal. And it's another good one, focusing this time on Prof. Sames and his responsibilities in the whole affair. Everyone who's interested should go over to Paul's blog to read what he has to say about things. He's not keeping things bottled up: Apparently, there is a double standard when it comes to judging students and professors. I guess that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Apparently, students should be fired for failure to replicate fictitious results, but professors are to be rewarded with tenure for being so grossly negligent as to oversee the greatest case of scientific misconduct in the history of organic chemistry. But that quote shouldn't give you the idea that his post is all invective - t... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051202 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:58:25 +0100 5051202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036234&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbudget-cuts-and-their-potential-complications-for-family-medicine%2F2011.07.16 Every day in the news, you hear about the United States federal budget and the potential political complications if something is done or if nothing is done. And every day in the news you hear about possible cuts in Medicare. What you don’t know is that some cuts in Medicare can significantly impact the training of future Family Physicians. What do I mean by this? Well, did you know that residency programs are paid Medicare funds (called Graduate Medical Education funds) going to hospitals? Check out this great article about how residency programs are funded. So, let’s play this out with its potential complications for Family Medicine. If GME funds are cut as they are proposed, then many hospitals with only one residency program (usually a Family Medicine program), may be forced... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036234 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:00:45 +0100 5036234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852938&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F23%2Fhard-to-find-a-male-therapist%2F Well, yes. Fewer men are choosing clinical psychology as a profession. We’ve known this for many years, as graduate programs in psychology — both Master’s level and doctoral — have increasingly become female-dominated. In my graduate class of 1990, over 75% of the class was female. That percentage has only increased in the past two decades. So Benedict Carey’s new article in the New York Times is a bit of a puzzler. The angle is that because of this gender discrepancy, a good male therapist is increasingly becoming difficult to find: Researchers began tracking the “feminization” of mental health care more than a generation ago, when women started to outnumber men in fields like psychology and counseling. Today the takeover is almost complete. And I say, &#... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852938 Mon, 23 May 2011 12:46:49 +0100 4852938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771211&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F30%2Fthe-freudian-problem%2F Excluding pop psychologists, (such as Dr. Phil, Dr. Drew or Wayne Dyer) Sigmund Freud is probably the most well known name associated with psychology (at least to the lay public).  In Frank Sulloway’s book, Freud: Biologist of the Mind, the author notes, “Few individuals, if any, have exerted more influence upon the twentieth century than Sigmund Freud.” (Shermer, 2001, p.203). A 1981 survey of chairpersons of graduate psychology found that the respondents considered Freud the most influential figure in the history of psychology (Davis, Thomas, & Weaver, 1982).  But times have changed. “[I]f all the members of the American Psychological Association [APA] who  were concerned with Freudian psychoanalysis were collected, they would make up  less than 10 percent of the membersh... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771211 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:00:59 +0100 4771211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753759&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F25%2Funderstanding-research-an-interview-with-mark-young%2F Mark Young specializes in helping individuals learn to understand scientific research.  He has a degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychology from McMaster University in Canada, and he has conducted graduate research in biomechanics and exercise physiology under the guidance of Dr. Stuart Phillips.  Today, he’s an Ontario-based exercise and nutrition consultant. Here are some of Young’s thoughts about how we can understand research better. Correlation and causation are often confused.  How do we clear up the confusion when informing the lay public of this misunderstanding? Given the large amount of research presented to the lay public through the media I honestly think that everyone should be required to take at least one statistics and research design course in high sch... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753759 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:46:15 +0100 4753759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540589&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F02%2Fnaked-therapy-or-just-cam-girl-soft-porn%2F When is psychotherapy, well, therapeutic? Is it any more therapeutic if your “therapist” starts taking off their clothes during your session? A freelance computer programmer, Sarah White, has decided that anyone can do therapy online. And not only that, she does it while she disrobes, one piece of clothing at a time. Yes, I’m serious. She calls this “Naked Therapy.” No, I’m still not kidding (and neither, apparently, is Sarah White). Be forewarned — a lot of the links in this article lead to websites with half-naked photos of a woman. I suppose the hook here is obvious — someone peddling cam-girl soft porn under the guise of something that’s “therapeutic,” because they hold a notepad and take notes while disrobing. So what a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540589 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:30:19 +0100 4540589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4498293&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F19%2Fshould-you-tell-your-boss-about-a-mental-illness%2F Many people struggle with the question of whether or not to tell their bosses about their mood disorders at work. Washington Post columnist Amy Joyce wrote an excellent article on this a few years ago. I have included the first few paragraphs below, but urge you to read the rest of her article, as it gives no straight answers but explores that terrain with great depth. If you have depression or some other mental illness, what do you do about work? Hope no one notices? Disclose your illness early on and trust that your boss will understand? Should You Tell is a complicated question. There is no right answer, and there are some risks to consider. I discovered this years ago after watching a movie at home with two friends. One of them looked up, scared. She hesitated. And then she let it out:... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4498293 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:39:08 +0100 4498293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429058&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F02%2Feating-your-shadow-in-honor-of-groundhog-day%2F To confront a person with his shadow is to show him his own light. Once one has experienced a few times what it is like to stand judgingly between the opposites, one begins to understand what is meant by the self. Anyone who perceives his shadow and his light simultaneously sees himself from two sides and thus gets in the middle. — Carl Gustav Jung The despised self, the disowned self, and the shadow: By any name psychology has acknowledged the dark side of our personality in many forms. It is also in literature (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and at the movies (Black Swan) we may first come to know the shadow. Psychology has long since been trying to get us to deal with it. There is a way. The ultimate way of coping with it is to eat it. The Shadow Effect, by the leading spiritual healers of ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429058 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:05:52 +0100 4429058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322681&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F07%2Fthe_phd_problem.php We've had the too-many-doctorates discussion around here a few times, from different angles. The Economist has a good overview of the problem - short on solutions, naturally, but an excellent statement of where things are: Whining PhD students are nothing new, but there seem to be genuine problems with the system that produces research doctorates (the practical “professional doctorates” in fields such as law, business and medicine have a more obvious value). There is an oversupply of PhDs. Although a doctorate is designed as training for a job in academia, the number of PhD positions is unrelated to the number of job openings. Meanwhile, business leaders complain about shortages of high-level skills, suggesting PhDs are not teaching the right things. The fiercest critics compare resea... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322681 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:54:56 +0100 4322681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179360&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F18%2Fone-third-of-a-college-class-caught-cheating%2F I must be getting old. When I was in college, and then again in graduate school, there was a simple expectation. I was there to learn, the university was there to help me learn. They do that through centuries’ old methods — teaching in classrooms, testing on that material, and occasionally having some hands-on experiences in the laboratory or on computers. This isn’t rocket science (unless you’re studying rocket science). So why was I so surprised when I watched the video (linked to below) where a professor teaching a management class discovered a statistical anomaly while grading his classes’ midterm exams. His startling findings? Rampant cheating. Because a kind of amnesty was offered to the class of 530 students, over 200 students eventually admitted to ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179360 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:49:27 +0100 4179360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142729&cid=t_140745_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F06%2Fan-introduction-to-the-library-for-graduate-students%2F Below is a presentation I gave at the “World of Science”. This is a 3-day course for graduate students that aims to provide them the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for scientific research, and to prepare them for their thesis at our hospital, the AMC. The 3-day program comprises a series of presentations on aspects of medical and [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142729 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:45:15 +0100 4142729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929446&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F02%2Fposters_and_pickiness.php Blogging time is short today, since I'm on a deadline to produce a couple of posters for presentation. These are for an internal hoe-down, unfortunately, so I won't be able to share the fruits of my labors with everyone out there in the readership. With any luck, though, they'll turn into public presentations/publications eventually, though. As far as I'm concerned, posters are quite a bit harder to work up than a talk. They really should stand by themselves, for one thing, so you can't fill in any holes verbally. And narrative flow is harder: there's no chance to go back and re-emphasize or contrast with later slides, because the whole thing is sitting out there, with no guarantee of what order people will use to see its parts. (I find that narrative is one of my main weapons in a presen... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929446 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:27:09 +0100 3929446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3925075&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fhow_long_would_it_take_if_everything_worked.php Over at BoingBoing, they're investigating the question: "How long would your PhD have taken if everything worked the first time?" I have to admit, it took me a few minutes to adjust my head to that idea, since God knows, nothing in my PhD ever looked like working the first time. And it's a hard one to answer, because I had to do some backtracking, as so often happens in total synthesis. This was of the "Dang it all, turns out I can't install that carbon at that step, so I'm going to have to go back, put it in earlier, and hope the downstream stuff still works" variety. (Not all of it did, of course). So how do you account for tactical moves like that? There are several layers. How long would it have taken if I'd chosen the right move each time, and each reaction worked on the first shot?... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3925075 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:48:38 +0100 3925075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865306&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-13-2010%2F Happy Friday the 13th! Anything spooky going on where you are? I know at least some of you are at the American Psychological Association’s 118th convention in San Diego (I’m not sure how spooky that is.). While you’re there, you might as well be a sponge and absorb everything you can. Oh and do me a favor will you? Since I didn’t go, could you report everything you’ve learned back here? I actually remember going to my first and only APA convention. It was six years ago in Honolulu, Hawaii and I was in my first year of graduate studies. Being young and green, I was an eager beaver, wanting to learn everything I could about my field. I was also poor as heck and yet, my life seemed much more carefree back then. I studied full-time and worked part of the time as a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865306 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:39:54 +0100 3865306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3849082&cid=t_140745_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fgraduate-school-options%2F8044%2F Graduate school is the next academic step after getting a bachelor’s degree.  Graduate schools award masters and doctorate and several other types of recognition.  In this post, we are going to look at some of the different types of graduate school options and talk about what each one entails and how it benefits you in the job market. Graduate Citation A graduate citation isn’t a degree, but it recognizes the completion of a collection of classes on a particular topic. A graduate citation is similar to a certificate (see below), but smaller in scope. It is the smallest unit of work you can do beyond a single class that is formally recognized. It generally requires three or four classes tightly focused on a specific topic.  The citation classes can be used toward other gradu... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3849082 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:00:04 +0100 3849082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3761477&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F16%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-16-2010%2F Summer is supposed to be about taking a dip in the pool, strolling alongside a lake, getting lost in a book, kicking off your shoes and soaking up the rays. Do you remember summers as a child? What happened to those carefree days? Seems like we’re all rushing around in a hurry and getting swept up in the hustle and bustle of day to day living. Even when we know what’s good for us, we still get wrapped up in doing versus having fun. I hold those summery memories like picking passion fruit, catching crayfish, and swimming with my cousins, close to me. And wonder why I don’t do more of it. I’m reminded of my first year as a graduate student. I took a course on stress management and was blissfully happy when I learned the entire quarter would be about relaxing and med... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3761477 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:05:39 +0100 3761477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665941&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fdo-you-live-in-a-smart-city%2F Where you live is a matter of taste (or often, coincidence), but it’s also an indicator of things like personality, lifestyle preferences, professional direction, and even your health and fitness. But what about how smart you are? According to an article in GOOD Magazine, “Where the smart people at?“, the traditional way of measuring intelligence within a given city is measuring the proportion or raw number of college degree-holders in a city, but economist Rob Pitingolo things that’s insufficient, and has devised his own way of measuring a city’s smarts. Pitingolo says that having a bunch of intelligent people in one general area is meaningless unless they’re interacting and exchanging ideas. Y’know, doin’ smart stuff. So instead he measured... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665941 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:30:54 +0100 3665941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607556&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F28%2Fnow-what-depression-at-graduation-or-any-transition%2F I read somewhere that a large number of Nobel Prize winners become depressed after receiving their honor because their sense of purpose has been taken away. They have to grieve their pre-Nobel Prize life and find a new way of being, something to get excited about that will get you out of bed in the morning. The same is true, to some extent, when you graduate. With Commencement often comes an emptiness, a sense of loss. Much joy and relief, yes. But also a “what the hell do I do now?” response. For highly sensitive persons like myself, every kind of life transition — be it graduation, a new job, a baby — comes with a few challenges and their offspring. How to gracefully maneuver between point A and point B? Like you would with any other mourning process. Because yo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607556 Fri, 28 May 2010 15:45:17 +0100 3607556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599492&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F25%2Fdoc-am-i-normal-yes%2F In conclusion, if you are experiencing any of these things, hang in there, it is a normal part of the human experience. If these things become more severe or difficult to cope with, or you want to learn how to master your individual experience with them, then counseling can be a great help. PS: I am back! - Will Meek, PhD (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599492 Tue, 25 May 2010 23:14:31 +0100 3599492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235897&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F02%2Fmeeting-with-my-first-therapy-client%2F I just finished a 40-day winter break from graduate school. After a quick but intense first semester, I was a bit crispy around the edges and welcomed the vacation. But now it is back to school and the next chapter in my journey towards becoming a clinical therapist. In less than two weeks, I will be contacting my very first clients to set up appointments. Bless these people for actually volunteering to share their stories with me, someone who has been told she is a “good listener,” but isn’t really sure at this point what else she can offer another person therapeutically. We’ve been told silence is golden. I’m hoping it isn’t also awkward. Yes, I did read my theory textbook last semester, and have my “favorite,” although by no means am I an expert in any of them! I was in... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235897 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:15:33 +0100 3235897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083094&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F13%2Fjohn-jost-on-studying-psychology%2F This is Part II of an interview of Situationist Contributor John Jost by the Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus.    Part I is here.  This portion of the interview focuses on John’s experience, and advice about, studying psychology. * * * APSSC: What suggestions do you have for choosing an area of study within a field as large and diverse as psychology? Jost: . . . Study something that you are passionate about. It can be something about human behavior that inspires you (like language or creativity or wisdom) or worries you (like our capacity for self-destruction) or simply fascinates you. It should be a fairly big issue or set of questions, but not so big as to be intractable. To sustain yourself over the years, it seems to me that you cannot be working on some... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083094 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:55:45 +0100 3083094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059776&cid=t_140745_111_f&fid=34716&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNurseRatchedsPlace%2F%7E3%2FYO0NkDZdIvA%2F This is Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate.” He was getting some advise from an old family friend. Do you remember this scene? Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you -just one word. : : : Ben: Yes sir. : : : Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? : : : Ben: Yes I am. : : : Mr. McGuire: ‘Plastics.’ : : : Ben: Exactly how do you mean? : : : Mr. McGuire: There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it? : : : Ben: Yes I will. : : : Mr. McGuire: Shh! Enough said. That’s a deal. Mr. McGuire had a crystal ball. Or maybe he had a plastic ball. The future was all about plastics. Unfortunately the future would also be filled with debates about BPA. I was invited to sit in on a conversation with Dr. Val Jones from Better Health. One of t... Nurse Ratched's Place blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059776 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:12:48 +0100 3059776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004081&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F18%2Fill_get_right_on_that_for_you_professor.php I was going over some thermodynamics the other day, and it hit me that this was just the sort of thing I always tried to avoid when I was actually taking chemistry courses in college and grad school. And here I was, looking it up voluntarily and even reading it with some pleasure. A couple of professors of mine would have been rather pleasantly surprised at the sight, though, since physical chemistry (especially) tended to exacerbate my often lazy approach to my course work. When I look back on it, it's a very good thing that my graduate school curriculum only featured classes during the first year. Because I was trying to get away with more and more by doing less and less, and those two trend lines were heading toward an intersection. (Another example of that from my grad-school past can... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004081 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:36:02 +0100 3004081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857450&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F03%2Fis-psychology-rotten-to-the-core%2F It’s not everyday you wake up and find your profession in midst of a holy war. Yet that seems to be what’s happening in the profession of clinical psychology. A new journal article to be published next month by Timothy B. Baker, Richard M. McFall, and Varda Shoham (2009) suggests that psychology is falling apart. Specifically, the researchers argue that graduate training programs for psychologists studying to become psychotherapists has taken a wrong turn and needs to be turned around before it’s too late. So what steps could be taken to fix the apparent problem? Funny you should ask, because not only do the authors have a prescription, they actually started implementing their prescription more than a year ago. Is Psychology Like Medicine? Baker et al.’s argument ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857450 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:27:58 +0100 2857450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727354&cid=t_140745_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FdyVQIWg1i1g%2F Adult autism is bound to become a huge topic in coming years, and several institutions are moving to anticipate the need. Massachusetts General Hospital is creating a program to provide specialized medical care to adults with autism. The hospital expects to receive $29 million to help add “a major adult component to its pediatric autism program,” allowing the the hospital to expand services for children with autism. The hospital notes, not that many parents of the adult autistic needed to hear it, that some doctors are hesitant or unsure how to talk to and examine adult autistic patients. *   *    * Photo courtesy of gadgetdude (flickr.com) Arizona State University has added a master’s program in special education. Officials at the school claim that one of the motiv... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727354 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:58:06 +0100 2727354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695579&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2Fstarting-at-the-wrong-end-of-the-process%2F No Finish Line Do your goals, hope and dreams have finish lines? Or do you fall into the trap of meandering within the distance between “Start” and “Finish”? Being driven by perfection, and the vain hope to do {it} perfectly. Waiting endlessly for the perfect start, the perfect way, the perfect time — the perfect inspiration. We all have dreamed, wished or longed for specific goals. We begin progressing in the direction of said goals, and then we stall out due to discouragement or a loss of vision and energy. After a proper mourning time — and a measure or two of self-loathing — we take our goals back to the drawing board. Once there, a certain amount of time passes as we become overwhelmed with the amount of calendar space we believe it will take to accomplis... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695579 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:06:27 +0100 2695579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477575&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7183 Kenny writes in: I am a medical officer currently serving in government hospital in sabah. As u know,the master training programmes and places are limited in malaysia. I would like to pursue my specialty or master training overseas, more interested in australia,new zealand,usa or canada besides uk. I know all the process are complicated and pricey. Can u provide me more information abt that. Another issue is if i want resign from kkm and join university for master training, kementerian pengajian, what is the procedure? thanks Hi Kenny, it’s difficult to comment without knowing details like where you graduated from, numbers of years served etc. For instance I believe an Australian Uni grad would face less problems if planning for post-grad training in Australia. I suggest you join our... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477575 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2477575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469942&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F10%2Frandom_questions_answered_randomly.php I had some requests to answer my own "Random Questions" from the other day, so here goes: 1. Does it bother you, or by contrast make you a bit proud, when you tell someone that you're a chemist and (as happens in about seven out of ten cases) they say "Oh, that was my hardest/least favorite/most boring subject when I was in school"? Well, whether it bothers me or not, this happens all the time. Like pretty much every chemist in the world, I get to hear all about how people couldn't stand my subject in school. I take the point that mathematicians have it even worse, but it's not like we miss many of them with chemistry, either. When people ask me what I do, I tell them "drug discovery", and I mention the diseases that I'm working on. That never fails to get some interest, and only then I... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469942 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:25:56 +0100 2469942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090857&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F08%2Fconnect-the-dots%2F The necessity of bed-rest and sleep for the past four days has granted me a lot of time to “connect the dots” — to draw lines between the points on the page of my Life Plan. Said points (and squiggles and visual cues) include: Securing a work-from-home, part-time, paid staff position Continuing to work freelance and to [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090857 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:26 +0100 2090857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077162&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F31%2Fdealing-with-overwhelm%2F As I ponder the possibilities for 2009 — I rejoice! And, I rejoice for the first time in a very long time. I am usually kicking the “old year” out the door and urging the “new year” to come in quickly! Assuming that surely a bright, shiny new year has to be better than an [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077162 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:26:56 +0100 2077162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077164&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F28%2Fpondering-my-branches%2F Seeds of inspiration fall into my pocket when I breath in the fresh country air and soak in the warmth from the sun as it shines over my gardens. These seeds — various and a sundry — take root in my heart as I tend to them with the fertilizer of commitment and sprinklings of [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077164 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:16:45 +0100 2077164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2008293&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F03%2Ffirst-days%2F Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I have always liked that saying. It inspires me to consider new beginnings, letting go, moving on … New directions! What will you do with today? Pursuing one’s dreams — making little micromovements — too often begins “someday” or tomorrow. Got dreams? Why not [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2008293 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:18:27 +0100 2008293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1857426&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F07%2Fbegin-today%2F There is something absolutely inspiring about watching clouds. A storm front moved through last evening. It came around the time for the sun to set on the horizon. This allowed for wonderful shades of orange and blue with the natural beauty of trees to frame the dramatic changes … It’s time to start living the life you’ve [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1857426 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:56:51 +0100 1857426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1849028&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F03%2Fim-not-dreaming-i-am-planning%2F Clouds in the awesome blue of an Autumn Oklahoma Sky Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. ~Gloria Steinem If you have been convinced that you are merely a legend in your own mind … You live with your head in the clouds … [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1849028 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:45:49 +0100 1849028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1842049&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F01%2Fcant-walk-and-chew-gum-at-the-same-time%2F Sunflower Crop — Seiling, Oklahoma Well, I have to admit that it appears futile for me to consider blogging and “doing” at the same time. Recent “doings” include: completing the redesign and declutter of both my studio (de creativity) and my chamber (de restore); final notes regarding high school transcript for my (rejoicing to see the [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1842049 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:36:42 +0100 1842049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1830895&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F26%2Fwatercolor-life%2F Watercolor Sky, July 2008 (the drive-home was paused to enjoy this glorious sunset…) The notion of a watercolor life comforts me. It would include canvases of delicate, muted lines and broad strokes of color on pure-fiber archival paper and canvases … gentle mingling of pigments as each flows and transitions across the page … the clarity of [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1830895 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:06:40 +0100 1830895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1827262&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F25%2Fseriously%2F The conclusion of the day when I realized … It’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined ~Henry James        (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1827262 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:03:38 +0100 1827262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1818952&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F23%2Fcome-hell-or-high-water%2F Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. ~John W. Gardner The truth is more important than the facts. ~Frank Lloyd Wright Somewhere in my personal history I came to know about this phrase. I can hear my maternal grandmother’s distinct, and rather loud, voice broadcasting these words. Perhaps this is the personal origin for [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1818952 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:33:59 +0100 1818952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1813232&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F22%2Fthe-key%2F Well I know it wasn’t you who held me downHeaven knows it wasn’t you who set me freeSo often times it happens that we live our lives in chainsAnd we never even know we have the key ~The Eagles, Already Gone Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1813232 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:20:14 +0100 1813232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1810565&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F20%2Fin-check-as-in-chess%2F This morning as I sipped my café mocha (comfortably situated on my patio … embraced by the soothing, crisp Autumn air …) the concept of “in check” (as in Chess) popped in my head. As I am not much of a Chess player, when I came inside I googled for clues as to what this [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1810565 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:27:48 +0100 1810565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1807414&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F19%2Fassessing-in-order-to-progress%2F Apparently, I am completely unable (unwilling?) to sort my proverbial To-Do without blogging it here. I have been pondering the realities of the universe — especially my universe — for most of two hours now and … Well, I simply must blog to think sometimes! So … here we go! First of all, [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1807414 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:07:09 +0100 1807414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1803911&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F18%2Falarm-clocks-habits-and-life-unscripted%2F Seeing “home” with new eyes can be a bit disconcerting. Because there are scenes which occur daily and yet are unscripted. They just happen because these scenes have become familiar. Said scenes are habits. Yes, habits: an acquired-over-time pattern of behavior which occurs automatically. Habits occur without even a moment of thought or consideration regarding what [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1803911 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:43:23 +0100 1803911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1782625&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F09%2F10%2Fhighlighting-mental-health-in-grad-students%2F We’re just starting to delve deeper into how depression, anxiety and other mental health problems are impacting college students and how to provide the necessary treatment services and resources for prevention on campuses. But, the graduate student population has largely been overlooked—even though research suggests these students experience significant challenges and mental health issues. Staggering Statistics According to the Big Ten Student Suicide Study, a 10-year analysis of 261 suicides at 12 Midwestern universities from 1980 to 1990, graduate students were at greater risk for suicide. A more recent study, the Berkeley Graduate Student Mental Health Survey, investigated the well-being of both American and international students, revealing various concerns. The authors foun... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782625 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:40:04 +0100 1782625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1761409&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F03%2Fchanges%2F The night I knew things would change … Tada! Wow! I adore this new template! And I was pondering a change to reflect the beginning of my favorite “one-third” of the year! (And my life-changes as I move into the next leg of my journey …) So, ta-da! Happy September! ♥ My blogging absence reflects the reality that [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1761409 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:12:13 +0100 1761409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728182&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F21%2Fmoving-day%2F Photo Credit It is moving day for me! (Figuratively not literally!) However there is some literal decluttering going on throughout my house as I walk around with large, heavy-duty garbage bags — and an attitude of raw forward thinking! I have been here before … And I hope to be here again. It is a wonderful adventure [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728182 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:21:53 +0100 1728182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728185&cid=t_140745_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F17%2Fgood-bye-yellow-brick-road%2F Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. ~Conrad Hilton Farewell to the road of yellow bricks that merely takes me back to where I came from (and never want to return). Mentally revisiting my roots (beginnings; things familiar; experience) merely as a springboard [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728185 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:54:24 +0100 1728185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1532338&cid=t_140745_105_f&fid=36673&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb2097.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fmedicine-20-applying-what-has-been.html It has been a long time since my last post. I have been busy working in different personal things. But a post by Bertalan Meskó make think about something that I realized long time ago. The key for a development of a culture of Medicine 2.0 is education : Health Digital Literacy.Each one of us can help to make this possible. I am participating in a observership with a group of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) at UCLA. We have developed a web to share our experiences in the process of getting involve in the American Health Care System.In the process I am also teaching my fellows all what I know about Medicine 2.0 .Please Visit us:UCLA International Medical Graduate (IMG) Program. Your feedback is always welcome. (Source: Web 2.0 and Medicine) Web 2.0 and Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1532338 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:59:00 +0100 1532338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1508290&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F10%2Fhow-do-doctors-train%2F On fake patients, of course! In graduate school for psychology, therapists-in-training don’t get much access to such actors. For instance, in my interviewing class during first year, we interviewed fellow classmates. By second year, we were thrown to the wolves, doing therapy in our first practicums. Highly supervised were such sessions, but supervision was after-the-fact, long after the session was over (and the damage from us novice therapists, if any, already done). Doctors, however, get access to a little different training, as this AP article describes: The “patient” had spent hours training how to fake it — in the interest of science. It was “Mania Day” at the University of Vermont’s medical school. One part drama, two parts science as doct... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1508290 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:40:22 +0100 1508290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466846&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2F24%2Fare-poster-sessions-an-anachronism%2F I’m enjoying a little sunshine and fresh air in Chicago this weekend, attending (and presenting at) the Association for Psychological Science’s 20th annual convention. I love Chicago – it’s one of America’s great cities and I believe everyone should have a chance to visit it in their lifetime. However, as I sifted through the program, I noticed that literally half the dictionary-sized program was taken up by brief summaries (or abstracts) of what are called “posters.” Posters in convention parlance means a paper, usually a small study, that is most often conducted by a student (college or graduate). Poster sessions get their name from the fact that the student hangs the results of their paper (think something akin to a Powerpoint presentation, printed... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466846 Sun, 25 May 2008 01:02:02 +0100 1466846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1269614&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F243735853%2Finterested-in-feminist-engineering.html Feminist engineering professor seeks motivated, pioneering graduate student candidate. Alice Pawley is an assistant professor at Purdue University who is interested in recruiting graduate students... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1269614 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:23:38 +0100 1269614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1184848&cid=t_140745_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F224906263%2F Prof. Baba Shiv, one of our advisors, just published a fascinating paper on the power of our beliefs to influence brain activation, and on how marketing can influence those beliefs: Price Tag Can Change The Way People Experience Wine, Study Shows (Science Daily) - According to researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the California Institute of Technology, if a person is told he or she is tasting two different wines—and that one costs $5 and the other $45 when they are, in fact, the same wine—the part of the brain that experiences pleasure will become more active when the drinker thinks he or she is enjoying the more expensive vintage. - "What we document is that price is not just about inferences of quality, but it can actually affect real quality," said ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1184848 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:55:59 +0100 1184848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173433&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fnew-blog-new-co-bloggers-new-location.html I just couldn't leave.My dear friend Jake from Pure Pedantry just made me an offer I can't refuse:Permanent guest blogger!I'll be posting there every so often, so please pay a visit :)Also, if you haven't picked up a copy of Open Lab 2007, please do - you can find one of my pieces there. Nature just published a review of the anthology; go check it out! (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173433 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:48:00 +0100 1173433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119354&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Ffond-farewell.html This will be my last post on the AC.With both sadness and affection, I've decided to close shop. The AC will remain up for a while, so that people can browse old posts and update (if they choose) their RSS and blogrolls. As I'm just about to pass my one-year blog-versary (!), I figured now was as good of a time as any. This year, according to Technorati, there were 188 reactions to my posts, totalling an authority of 53 and rank of 143,900...right alongside all of the other bloggers who fill the 143,900th spot :)What started as a sort of poor-man's online journal club - a way to read and share the science that I find intriguing - has blossomed into a really beautiful experience for me. I've befriended a number of really excellent minds and caring people, and I will miss my interactions wit... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119354 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:52:00 +0100 1119354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1104489&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F19%2Fscrape_off_some_attitude.php There is a pecking order in chemistry. That’s because there’s one everywhere. If it’s a human endeavor, staffed by humans, you’re going to have hierarchies, real and perceived - who you did a post-doc with, what huge company you're a big wheel in. But that doesn’t mean that we have to bow down to them, and it doesn’t excuse this sort of thing, from The Chem Blog: ” Waaaaaayyy back at the ACS in San Fran at the poster session, we were walking around and introduced ourselves to this guy standing in front of his poster. Now… old boy (a graduate student) engaged us in some dialog about his poster and we were getting along famously, my friend asking most of the intelligent questions (I was still recovering from giving blood a few hours before and drinking multiple beers immedia... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1104489 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:56:37 +0100 1104489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1062875&cid=t_140745_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F30%2Fteleread-today%2F   Some of my takes on e-Books: learning medicine and approaches to medicine 2.0, the dreams of sharing books and the joy of reading, and the beginning adventures and further explorations with the “E” is now up on Teleread. Thanks, David!   And, for the curious: Medicine 2.0 by Scienceroll Web 2.0 and Medicine Exploring Medical Librarianship & Web Geekery Medical 2.0 (Source: the story of healing) the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1062875 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:43:38 +0100 1062875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1044157&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Freturn-of-ac-again.html Yes, I'm still alive.I think I've finally been dragged back into the blogging world after a 3-week hiatus. Immediately after presenting my thesis proposal, I was in CA for a week and, since returning, have been working feverishly on a grant and some manuscript revisions. Which I now feel the need to procrastinate on.But, it's a bit intimidating to jump back in, after being completely off the blogosphere radar for so long. So, I'm going to take this post as an opportunity to warm back up and, sometime this weekend, I promise to post on some nice 'n juicy hormones/behaviors bits that I've had on my (very far) back burner for far too long now...But, because I'm a sucker for a meme, I give you my belated Meme of Four:4 jobs you've had:1. Catering staff at a winery2. Barista at an independent c... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1044157 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:06:00 +0100 1044157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037876&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F11%2F20%2Fand_it_goes_like_this.php I had a hard drive failure the other day, which naturally got me to thinking about backing up data, and about the times I’ve been more paranoid about it. I wrote my PhD dissertation back in those far-off days (1988) when you could put Mac versions of Word and Chem-Draw on one 3.5-inch disk (yes, that was possible, and I still have the disk to prove it). But I went to the disk-swapping trouble of putting my dissertation-in-progress on a separate floppy. So there I was, with a couple of week’s worth of dissertation draft on my floppy disk, when one fine day I insert the thing into the slot, and. . .it can’t be read. Hrm. I try other machines. I try them all. None of them can read the disk, under any conditions. It slowly dawns on me that my two weeks of work have evaporated, and a lit... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037876 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:13:08 +0100 1037876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1007255&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F06%2Fintellectual-property%2F In the two years before the NHS reorganisations that caused me to change my job I wrote, alongside a few colleagues, a number of policies, guidelines and other papers which at the time appeared as if they would end up on a dusty shelf, or worse in the shredding bin. But no, yesterday I read a new policy which has its roots in something I wrote before and what is more contains references to other papers including my dissertation. The latter belongs to me, it was essentially written in my own name, it was written by me and most of the time spent writing it was my own time rather than my employers (the same cannot be said for my reflective practice journal which was completely compiled during an afternoon in May this year at my desk and the one next door!) But all of the documents I poured ov... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1007255 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:07:56 +0100 1007255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987242&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fim-ba-aack.html I'm back from blog-vacation!While I imagine that everyone has had a lovely week of engaging science chatter in the blogosphere, I was actually a tad relieved to take a break and concentrate on my talk. But now that it's over, I'm looking forward to jumping back into the middle of things, and hoping to slot in a few solid posts before I'm off to SfN on Saturday.In short, my thesis proposal talk went swimmingly. Beforehand, I was a bit of a...hmm, shall we say...over-caffeinated nervous wreck? Which naturally made me dismiss our wonderful postdoc's recommendation to "make it as fun as possible" with an eyeroll and a thanks. But as soon as I launched into the talk, it was fun. Really fun. And everyone not only followed my talk but asked really insightful questions afterward, which delighted m... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987242 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:59:00 +0100 987242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=980666&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F10%2F25%2Flooking_backwards.php A colleague reminded me the other day of a project that he and I had worked on back at the Wonder Drug Factory seven years ago. "Seven years ago", I thought. . .I was the project leader on that one, trying to keep things alive as weird toxicology kept torpedoing everything. In the end, we held it together long enough to get four compounds into two-week tox testing, whereupon every one of them wiped out for yet another set of ugly reasons. Ah, yes. No one's going to have to work on that stuff again, that's for sure. Hmm, I thought. What was I doing seven years before that? Well, I was back at my first drug industry job in New Jersey. The company had just moved into a new building the year before, and the old site was on its way to becoming a Home Depot. I was spending my days cranking out ... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=980666 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:03:20 +0100 980666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1035012&cid=t_140745_105_f&fid=36673&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb2097.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fweb-20-and-medicine-is-about-values-in.html "Solidarity is more than give just a hand, it is more than share with a brother. It is an universal feeling that disappears borders between countries no matter believes, races or colors."W eb 2.0 and Medicine is an amazing combination. It is something that has lot of potential in our field. But Medicine and Web 2.0 - or Health 2.0 - are not only about information and technologies. It is about values that we can put on practice. Solidarity and collaboration with no interest. It is a big idea. From my point of view, they can only generate more well being for more people, and sometimes for ourselves. Last months I was working on my personal statement. It was not easy to put all my ideas in just one page. Now this work is done. But I know lot of International Medical Graduates (IMG) each year ... Web 2.0 and Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1035012 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:58:00 +0100 1035012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=962698&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F10%2F18%2Funderstanding_dawns.php My graduate school lab, like most of them, had an assortment of people from different countries. That kept things at all sorts of hours, since we’d get the occasional Japanese post-doc who never really seemed to get off JST and worked the zombie schedule. It also made for some adventures in communication. English was the lingua franca of the lab, naturally, but there were a lot of varieties spoken (and attempted). And although it’s risky to generalize, I think that the ones with the biggest language gap were the aforementioned Japanese. Friends of mine from the country have blamed the problem on the traditional state of English teaching there, and the way that too many students are taught the language as if its phonics really did conform to what’s available in Katakana. That’s th... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=962698 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:36:06 +0100 962698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=952107&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F15%2Fits-official-2%2F I am a Master of Science! Today I received my official mark sheet for my MSc in Strategic Leadership, and so if I so choose I guess I can go around putting MSc after my name. I used to work with someone (manage them even) who put all the letters she had from her academic courses on the bottom of all emails. I found this slightly odd and just a bit pretentious. I wanted, as her manager to tell her to take them off, but felt I was being petty. Interestingly now she has a new manager she has stopped this practice, not sure if the two things are related. Anyway as I was saying I am a master. I have been wondering whether I really want to go to the graduation, and after much reflection, debate with my husband and general adding up of the cost of gown hire etc, decided to give it a miss. I went ... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=952107 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:42:22 +0100 952107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=947290&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fphysicians-learned-helplessness.html An important article on Medscape General Medicine, by a lawyer, of all people, suggested how physicians have developed "learned helplessness." [Bond C. The training of the "helpless" physician. Medscape General Medicine 2007; 9(3):47.] Bond had two causative hypothesis on how this happened.First, medical schools and post-graduate training programs do not teach physicians how to cope with the current health care environment.Medical training programs do not provide young physicians basic information about doctors' options in the workforce -- for example, the pros and cons of private practice vs employment -- nor is there any effort to explain to them the larger economic forces at work in healthcare in the United States, so physicians do not understand the competitive forces that are shaping ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=947290 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:09:00 +0100 947290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=869668&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fnot-so-productive-day.html If you haven't already visited their site, xkcd has some fantastically funny and tragically accurate comics on graduate life. Here's a recent (and particularly identifiable) strip:And here's the version, slightly altered, that I made to reflect today's particular productivity:Three reams of computer paper = $20Two entire ink cartridges = $60Five binders = $50Having time to reformat an online comic to reflect my entirely unproductive day (except for said printing project), due only to a lack of desk-chair sparring partners = priceless If time was money, I'd toss in my fifteen emails coordinating my proposal date, and the grey hair that sprouted when I actually set it. But time is never money in graduate school, so I must abstain :) (I promise to post something more substantial when my day i... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=869668 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:53:00 +0100 869668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=867437&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fquick-note-on-my-coffee-addiction.html I quit drinking coffee exactly 11 days ago. Following a massive two-day headache while my body detoxified, I actually felt pretty good. Less tired, more energetic, a couple of extra dollars in my pocket.Then I see articles like this and break like a skinny little twig. I'm happily sipping my first cup since then.At least it packs a bit more punch than it used to. Maybe my brief hiatus downregulated my adenosine receptors. I remain, however, a caffeine-sensitive individual. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867437 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:20:00 +0100 867437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=843715&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwhy-resident-duty-hour-reform-did-not.html Soon after a heart-felt post on the Over My Med Body Blog described how it feels to be a sleep-deprived sub-intern, two major studies in JAMA brought media attention to the question of interns' and residents' work hours.(1-2)These two studies were interpreted by their authors as meaning that reductions in work hours did not clearly do harm.As MedInformaticsMD noted in a an earlier post, however, a major limitation of the two studies was that they only assessed mortality. While mortality is obviously an extremely important outcome of hospitalization, it is not the only one. Fatigue is likely to cause many errors that lead to bad outcomes short of mortality. Yet the current studies were not designed to determine if the reduction in work hours could have improved patient outcomes other than s... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=843715 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:36:00 +0100 843715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=832531&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fon-sleep-deprivation-and-medical.html On the Over My Med Body Blog, see this eloquent rant about what it is like to begin a sub-internship. A sub-internship is an experience for (usually fourth year) medical students during which they function like interns, and hence functions as an introduction to the world of post-graduate medical training. Sub-interns, and later interns and residents are up at all hours of the night, taking care of often severly ill patients, with little experience and less sleep. Yes, they do have various forms of back-up, from sub-specialty fellows to seasoned faculty. But nothing can make up for the cloud of cotton wool that fills one's head after being up all night.It's a sad testimony to our training system that the experience described is little different from the one I went through just about 30 year... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=832531 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:20:00 +0100 832531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828154&cid=t_140745_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fdiversity-a-happenstance-in-populations-an-evolution-in-means-of-providing-health%2F America’s ethnic composition is constantly changing. How does the health care delivery system adjust? The achievement of diversity is not purely a random event. Concerns exist and solutions are being developed. Can the challenge of caring for a diverse population be met by ensuring that the health care providers reflect the diversity of the population as a whole? Here’s Tamara E. Holmes’ eye-opening piece, Diversity in the workplace: Healthcare Industry Dives Deep Into Diversity: Diversity is an issue that all businesses must grapple with, but for healthcare companies, maintaining a diverse workforce takes on a whole new urgency. Today’s global society means patients that vary in gender, race, and creed are likely to pass through any healthcare organization’s... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828154 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:35:52 +0100 828154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823677&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fcheer_up.php This is the first post from the new Blogging Room of Stately Lowe Manor here in Massachusetts. The internet is hooked up, the lights are on, and I'm surrounded by boxes no matter where I turn. I had a few requests to do more posts on graduate school and what goes on there. Problem is, it's becoming an increasingly distant event for me (which in most other ways is not much of a problem at all!) There's one immediate thing I can think of to say to people who are still in the middle of it, though: Don't worry. You're not going to be stuck like this forever. I'm thinking of what a generally foul mood I was in throughout my PhD work, compared to my overall sunnier disposition since. I didn't like having to work on the exact same molecule for years, and I didn't like having to do it days, nigh... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823677 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 01:59:45 +0100 823677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811304&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fcaught-on-camera.html Coturnix has posted a bunch of pictures from some form of science-blogger meetup in NYC this weekend; I stopped by to say hello to a few of them, and was caught on camera.My new blog picture is one of them - it was taken on the street outside an extremely dive bar at 1am while either chatting with Mo or giving Zuska directions to Union Square. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811304 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:21:00 +0100 811304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807031&cid=t_140745_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F145511958%2F5_facts_colleges_forget_to_tel.html College lectures have yet to cultivate entrepreneurial brains – and it shows as Americans backslide in competitive global markets. For one thing, we stall mentally ... because traditional lectures work against the human brain. It doesn’t have to be that way.Dr. Robyn McMaster and I plan to spark vibrant graduate roundtables by rejuvenating curiosity about how humans harness brainpower for entrepreneurial leadership.We’ve just created a Master level Brain Based course to teach this fall for Entrepreneurial Leaders at the University of Rochester‘s Center for Lifelong Learning. The course opens with the question ... What does it take to become an entrepreneurial learder? In response we'll write a book together - titled... Brain Based Learning and Leading ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807031 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:32:13 +0100 807031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=798057&cid=t_140745_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Fpilferage.php One of the comments to my brief post earlier today brought back some memories. Back in graduate school, we were a comparatively well-off group. That is, we graduate students lived off grant money after our first year - no more teaching assistant duties. Compared to some of the other professors, whose students were TAing in their fourth years and beyond, this was luxury. But luxury went only so far. We still had to watch our expenditures in the lab, and ordering of reagents and supplies was kept under tight control. We didn't go as far as recycling our wash acetone (well, most of us didn't - see here for what happened to the fellow who did), but If you wanted a fresh bottle of something, you had to justify it: what's wrong with the one we've got, heh? I was pushing a big pile of material ... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=798057 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:26:18 +0100 798057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791503&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fbecause-its-too-good-not-to-share.html Discussion:This disses [Researcher X] and makes us seem like technical troglodytes.Huh. Oops.Talk about providing impetus to switch to a much sweeter vein in my review comments. Like, immediately. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791503 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:14:00 +0100 791503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=744957&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fmia.html I've been awful about blogging lately. My posts are getting sadly sporatic. But I've been deep in thesis proposal-writing mode.My life has included four major staples for the past two weeks:1. my (new!) laptop2. eyedrops for long days staring at a computer screen3. a fifteen-coffee per day habit4. an unplugged internet jack, to prevent procrastination...with #3 probably ranking highest in importance.Anyone know any good science jokes to lighten the mood around here?UPDATE: I just emailed my first draft of the whole thing, weighing in at a respectable 147 pgs, to my advisor. Ahhh, bliss. Until I get it back w/ red marks all over it. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=744957 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:48:00 +0100 744957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=721507&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Flittle-vignette.html I'll call it "The Tragedies of a Young Female Scientist"Cast: me, my advisor and her husbandPlace: my officeAdvisor: (walks by office door, stops) That's a cute sundress.Advisor's husband: (over her shoulder) Yeah, you look summery.Me: Thanks! It's a tad shorter than usual - I'm showing a little knee. Takes some getting used to.Advisor: Um, it's OK to show a little knee. You're young. And I don't know what you're talking about - it's definitely not that short.Me: ....(end scene)Apparently I have a much, much higher threshold for modesty than my advisor.Who has 30+ years on me.How embarassing - I just got schooled. If that's not a call to re-evaluate what I considered somewhat-practical fashion sense but apparently more closely resembles a nun's wardrobe, I don't know what is.I blame scienc... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=721507 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:39:00 +0100 721507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=718202&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fmystery-of-unlabeled-cells.html So last night around 1am, I had to pass up an (obviously-impromptu) trip to Cape Cod with some good friends who dropped into town. You might wonder, "How could she do such a thing?! It's a beautiful weekend! They're only in town for two days! She could eat clam chowder to her heart's content!" And, yes, I sadly realize all of these things.But I have to run an experiment tomorrow.Oh, the injustice.Most of my experiments can be shifted around a bit - a day early, a day late, and you're still in a neat little window of flexibility. But not when you're running an immunocytochemistry experiment.Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is just a fancy term for a method used to identify proteins in brain sections. The proteins may be expressed when a cell is active (e.g. IEGs), or it may compose part of a recep... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=718202 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:33:00 +0100 718202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710375&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fpostdoc-salaries-and-intrinsic.html I've been working steadily on my thesis proposal since returning from Conference-o-Rama 2007 two weeks ago. While it seems a trivial thing to throw together - just reviewing my past work and writing up some exciting ideas that'll occupy my next two years - it represents a (small) step closer to completing my training here and moving to greener pastures. But this realization has kept my momentum incredibly high over the past few weeks. Either that, or I'm getting too busy for my own good and my momentum is in direct response to my fear of drowning in my growing stew of pet projects.Then I see things like this awaiting me.A gentle little reminder that scientists are still very much underpaid, underrepresented, and underappreciated for their contributions to 1. the fundamental knowledge regar... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710375 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:54:00 +0100 710375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692350&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F23%2Fend-of-course-celebrations%2F Thursday saw me at University for the final time. Having planned to go out after college I took the train in, but madly decided to walk the about 3 miles to the station (I am still aching today from that one). Key features of that part of the day were that we all passed, that apparently (though we don’t remember) at some time during the course we agreed that the course would become a pass or fail one rather than being graded pass, merit and distinction, and that we gave our feedback on the good and not so good aspects of our experience. The lack of help from the tutors particularly at the end were firstly our own fault, after all we should have done more to ask and secondly helped us to form into a cohesive group that worked well and achieved together. Well maybe, but you do wonder w... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692350 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:40:57 +0100 692350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=687096&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fmystery-of-ac-unveiled.html First of all, heartfelt shout-outs to fellow bloggers Brian, Jorge, and Bora, who all write on a range of inspiring and dynamic topics and, recently, who have sent some people my direction. . Thanks, guys! If you haven't yet, go check them out...And, per Brian's reference, I suppose it's about time that I explain my blog's name to mark my six-month bloggiversary.Commissures are small fiber bundles composed of a group of axons traveling together, typically from one side (hemisphere) of the brain to the other. These axons are long projections that extend from the cell bodies of neurons and transmit information to other, often distant neurons in a series of electrical impulses called action potentials. This clip shows a 3-D representation of where commissures and other fiber tracts (red) are ... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=687096 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:56:00 +0100 687096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682763&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F20%2Fdont-leave-it-to-the-last-minute%2F Sound advice, but of course I did. Post dissertation relief was followed by the realisation that I was meant to submit a reflective practice portfolio which represents my learning and reflections over the last almost two years. The trouble was I was all ‘essayed out’, I couldn’t make myself be bothered and at the weekend I even found that housework was a desirable alternative to delivering the work on this one. So on monday I set about writing a short academic piece which is meant to underpin my portfolio and frankly what I have written is complete rubbish. Trouble is I just can’t make myself do any better. As for the reflections, well thank heavens for this blog. I was pleasantly surprised that I have at times ranted, and described in detail the minutiae of my essa... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682763 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:50:08 +0100 682763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=677433&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fspoiler-alert.html 1. how grading is *really* done in academia. thx to pharangula for link.2. while not scientific, it's sadly indicative of the scientific life - the heels i bought for my friend's upcoming wedding are no towering monstrosities, but after plodding around in practical lab tennis shoes for years, i just realized that i can hardly walk in them. yes indeed, science has quietly but successfully foiled my ability to walk in heels.i'm off to boston for the weekend, for a neuroendocrinology conference. back next week... (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=677433 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:03:00 +0100 677433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=655483&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F04%2Fpost-dissertation-break%2F I didn’t realise I would feel quite so exhausted and particularly word weary after submitting my dissertation. But I just couldn’t really think of anything worth blogging about and I am not sure I can yet either. I also needed to get on with having a bit of a life, and this weekend has been a little on the busy side. Usual things (shopping and ironing) plus driving hubby around the country (he went to the Derby on Saturday), attending barbecue parties (on my own due to hubby favouring horse racing over partying with my friends) and visiting my parents. All dull stuff, but equally things I have not really had the time for recently. I am a bit worried that I didn’t put any kind of reflective analysis at the end of my dissertation like I think I was meant to and thought abou... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=655483 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:05:20 +0100 655483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650919&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F31%2Fwhen-will-they-learn%2F First the rant. I receive emails from the Health Service Journal (HSJ) though am not a subscriber to the actual journal (previous journal buying has resulted in piles of them waiting to be read while the direct debit goes out of the bank every month), and periodically I take a look at the news alerts. Today I was drawn to a story about the money that is levied for education and training for everyone who is not a doctor known as the multi profession education and training levy (MPET). This money originally comes from NHS organisations (at source like income tax) and is given to the Health Authorities to be allocated for education purposes. It is this money that goes to pay for the tuition fees and bursaries of student nurses and also to help pay for education for those of us who are healthc... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650919 Thu, 31 May 2007 17:25:17 +0100 650919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651870&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fjoin-fun.html The long-awaited talk on Framing Science that I pushed for (i.e. heckled my friend at NYAS to host) is next Monday at NYAS; find the teaser here, and RSVP before it sells out!On its tail is Cafe Scientifique on Tues evening, on my favorite non-dissertation, non-program scientific subject - astronomy. I'll have my recent pop-science astronomy read in hand...(and speaking of, Jonathan Harris' Universe is now up. be astounded.)Give a shout-out if you're headed to either. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651870 Wed, 30 May 2007 16:48:00 +0100 651870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644958&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F29%2Funusually-cold-for-the-time-of-year%2F So the BBC weather man tells me as I am typing this, So much for global warming. Don’t get me wrong I know this is an important environmental issues but it is on days like this, when I have my central heating blasting out on 29th May that my cynical side emerges. The good thing about the wash out of a bank holiday has been that I have made enormous progress on the dissertation and for the first time I actually believe it will be done by Friday. I now have a few changes to make to my data analysis section, then have the limitations and conclusions to write up and that will pretty much be it. I have so far written more than 17,000 words and that in itself seems like something of an achievement and having read it all today even if I say so myself it isn’t too bad at all. The end o... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=644958 Tue, 29 May 2007 18:14:42 +0100 644958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=637994&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F24%2Fa-week-to-go%2F Until my dissertation is due in and I am struggling with it all. I have only written about 700 words since the weekend, and I am struggling to put one word in front of the other. I intend to work hard on it over the weekend, and at 11,700 words am making reasonable progress but it would be fair to say that I could have worked harder. Doing a masters course at the same time as working full time is no mean feat, but I find that I struggle to be motivated after work to get down to the books and actually writing stuff. To keep me going I am now thinking of all the things that I will be able to do when I no longer have to read books about leadership and action learning and when I no longer have to write about methodologies and data analysis. So here follows a list of things that both need to be... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=637994 Thu, 24 May 2007 19:55:14 +0100 637994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651875&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fmy-project-yesterday.html Yesterday, I needed to do some brush-up anatomy reading to provide some background to my proposed projects for my thesis. Out comes all 1328 pages of George Paxinos' text The Rat Nervous System. I only needed to read some selective bits and pieces, not the whole thing (obviously). But yes, just that experience was enough to post about.George Paxinos spoke at our program two years ago, and is quite brilliant (and yes he autographed my textbook b/c I'm a nerd). Besides giving scholarly lectures, he has compiled one of the most frequently-used rat brain atlases and finds time to edit a series of behemoth books detailing rat neuroanatomy in incredible depth. It's an excellent resource, but not particularly reader-friendly. An excerpt from the well-written, comprehensive, and slightly overwhelm... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651875 Wed, 23 May 2007 13:25:00 +0100 651875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651877&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Feeeeeeeee.html I have read your further revisions and found them to be satisfactory. I am pleased to inform you that your manuscript XXXX has been accepted for publication.happiest. day. EVER. (Source: The Anterior Commissure) The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651877 Thu, 17 May 2007 12:48:00 +0100 651877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612034&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F17%2Fanother-blogger-outed%2F It was with great sadness and a sense of irritation on her behalf, that I discovered yesterday that the Fat Doctor blog is no more. Some wicked person had found it, printed the whole thing out and shown it to her boss, now that is below the belt. For those of us who blog about work, and in particular those of us who have professional responsibilities to uphold we are always in a precarious position. Fat Doctor provided us with some wonderful insights into her life, yes her work life but also about her home and family life, her childcare arrangements and of course her illness. I know that those of us who read her recently will miss her and hope she will be back very soon. The thought of being discovered and outed is on my mind a lot now, so I am becoming increasingly worried about blogging ... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612034 Thu, 17 May 2007 07:39:23 +0100 612034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612037&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F14%2Fstruggling-with-bloggers-block%2F My enforced break from all things computer seem to be taking their toll on my ability to string a sentance together on my blog. It has now been over a week since computer and therefore internet access was easy due to the terminal break down of my laptop and also to the fact that any access to the computer is meant to be restricted to writing my dissertation. Luckily no writers block there, though I need to get my finger out if it is to be done on time (7600 words and another at least 7500 to go and maybe more). Usually if I am struggling to think of something to write about I just read other people’s blogs and websites and something strikes a cord and away I go. This is not something that can be done in 5 minutes flat though, and really I haven’t had the opportunity or time for... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612037 Mon, 14 May 2007 08:26:57 +0100 612037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651887&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Footssoeraaap.html As all scientists, I belong to a tidy list of professional scientific associations, for which I'll enjoy paying discounted student membership fees for another few years before simultaneous promotion to full-time professional status and poverty.I've recently been inducted into another group, one that trumps all others:Order of the Science Scouts of Exemplary Repute and Above Average PhysiqueAs one of the main aims of any scout troop - particularly science-based - is to amass as many badges as possible in the shortest amount of time (which led to my fast attrition from Brownies after a single year), I present my budding collection below: The "talking science" badge. Required for all members. Assumes the recipient conducts himself/herself in such a manner as to talk science whenever he/she ge... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651887 Tue, 08 May 2007 13:26:00 +0100 651887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587890&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F03%2Fprogress%2F I am feeling the need to share the small, but perhaps significant lightbulb situations that have occured in my head in the last couple of days in relation to my dissertation. Something is happening in my head, there has been a link made between the theory of the impressive looking but complex text books I am being forced to study and real life. Some understanding of it all is happened, and I cannot tell you what a relief that is to me. Who would have believed that someone who spelt the word psychology wrong in her first essay as a nursing student (well it was hand written and lets face it, it is a difficult word to spell) can now not only spell the words philosophy and phenomenology but is at last being able to grasp (in simple terms of course) some kind of meaning. What is more this is be... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587890 Thu, 03 May 2007 14:10:30 +0100 587890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587891&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F02%2Fyou-know-its-going-to-be-a-good-day-when%2F You pop into the supermarket and trip over in the meat aisle, your provisions scattered about you. The only good thing about this event was that it being 8am there were few people around. I was sure the floor must have been wet or something, but no. Obviously I’ll have to get more sensible shoes! The writing of the dissertation is becoming painful. I just don’t seem to be able to write what needs to be written. I have notes, lots of notes, I have books, articles, I have stuff in my head, but can I make it appear on the computer screen in any useful order, can I make it read in a masterly way? Can I heck! The research itself is fine, the plans look pretty fine, but it just won’t flow. Usually when I write anything I start at the beginning and keep going until 5000 words or... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587891 Wed, 02 May 2007 08:06:06 +0100 587891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571139&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F04%2F26%2Fliving-and-learning%2F This post is intended to give myself a good talking to. The end of my MSc in Strategic Leadership is in sight, and I am currently busy interviewing people as part of the data collection process. But am I working as hard as I can to write up the literature review, methodology and methods? No I am not? What am I doing instead? Well anything but working on my dissertation. You would imagine that my house would be spotless in that case wouldn’t you? Well I don’t appear to have been scrubbing floors or dusting the corners, so I haven’t suddenly become house proud. I have done quite a bit of weeding my garden as we have been having some very nice weather lately and I have also been out walking through the local countryside. Other than that, I am ashamed to say I don’t rea... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571139 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:05:29 +0100 571139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651882&cid=t_140745_107_f&fid=35670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanteriorcommissure.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fjust-another-manictuesday.html I have had way way way WAY too much caffeine today.Which, luckily, meant I accomplished more today than I have in a week. Hurrah! Accordingly, I've (respectfully) made an addition to Jorge Cham's grad student motivational graph:If that little peak were obnoxiously loud red or manically hot pink, it'd mimic my mental state pretty darn closely. UPDATE:All right, in response to a comment that was just posted on caffeinated soap, I'll cite this article that assessed the permeability and transdermal absorption of three difference compounds - one of which is caffeine - on human skin grafts (yes, ew).The most relevant results are found on the graph on p828, where the permeability of caffeine (abbreviated 'CF' and marked w/ filled triangles) is measured over time. I'm no pharmacologist, but that l... The Anterior Commissure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651882 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:48:00 +0100 651882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478924&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F17%2Fslightly-pearshaped%2F The computer I use at home isn’t really like this one, and anyway the screen didn’t crack. But yesterday was definitely one of those days. I took the day off to get ahead with the essay which is due in on Monday, and I made reasonable progress. But I am definitely not psychic, because if I was I would have pressed ahead with it rather than surfing blogs, going for lovely walks in the sun in between worrying about phenomenology and the like. Last night though, the laptop was taken suddenly very ill, and after much messing about I decided to take the drastic decision to reinstall windows! This resulted in the loss of more files than I could shake a stick at and the need to reinstall quite a bit of software including office. Luckily I have all of my academic work on my memory stic... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478924 Sat, 17 Mar 2007 22:51:22 +0100 478924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480737&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fuk-doctors-protest-modernising-medical.html We have posted several times, most recently here, about the controversy over the new system developed by the UK National Health Service (NHS) to select physicians for senior specialty training positions, part of the the new "Modernising Medical Careers" (MMC) program. Since the last post, criticism of the selection process, called the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS), has been growing. The Telegraph, which has been providing most of the coverage of this story, reported,Prof John Bell, president of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Prof Sir John Tooke, chairman of the Council of Heads of Medical Schools, criticised the scheme for undervaluing applicants' research experience and academic potential. In an open letter released yesterday, Prof Bell and Sir John said: 'Academic tra... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480737 Sat, 17 Mar 2007 19:42:00 +0100 480737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478926&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F13%2Fnew-purpose%2F For the first time in several months I have a spring in my step and purpose to my days. Just a week into the new job, and I already feel different. I have new work, new people I am getting to know and I am getting stuck into trying to achieve a new me (one more like my little icon picture and less like the woman on the scales below). The one slight spanner in the works is the assignment I need to complete for next Monday, and which I am kind of struggling with. I have read lots of books in an attempt to work out all of the philosophical stuff that underpins our understanding of research. Healthcare of course with its reliance on experimentation, randomised controlled studies and the like is at one end of the spectrum and  the study I am going to do which will ask about the value of action... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478926 Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:17:32 +0100 478926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=469292&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fmodernising-medical-careers-goes-into.html We have posted several times, most recently here, about the controversy over the new system developed by the UK National Health Service (NHS) to select physicians for senior specialty training positions, called "Modernising Medical Careers." Now, after having a spokesperson say "it would be irresponsible to halt the interview process at this late stage," the NHS has decided to cancel the whole new system and go back to the traditional method of selection. As reported by the Guardian,The computerised application system for the training posts that lead to consultant jobs was scrapped by a review set up this week to establish why many of the best-qualified candidates had been left without a single interview.The review, led by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, took just three days to bin ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=469292 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:17:00 +0100 469292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=469294&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fuk-modernising-medical-careers.html Last week we discussed the controversy over the new UK system for selecting physicians for senior specialty training positions. Things only seem to be going downhill. Again, commenting at risk of misunderstanding the context in the UK...A group of senior surgical consultants suspended interviews of "short-list" candidates because they had no confidence in the system that selected them. Per the Daily Telegraph, Bob Spychal, the Chair of the interview panel, said,The 10 surgeons were unanimous. We know we have disappointed the candidates and we have spoken to all of them, but we have no confidence that the system is robust and fair. It is not fit for purpose. Someone had to do something. Perhaps other panels in other specialities will do the same thing.Meanwhile, the Academy of Medical Royal... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=469294 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:53:00 +0100 469294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=469304&cid=t_140745_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fmission-hostile-management-chaos-as-uk.html A year ago we posted bout the problematic new system, called "Modernising Medical Careers," (MMC) that UK National Health Service (NHS) managers had put in place to match junior physicians with specialized training positions (called specialist registrar positions). Concerns at the time centered on importance in the matching process of applicants' responses, in the form of very short essays, to standardized questions posed on a web-site. It seemed there would be no way to check the accuracy of their answers, that the relevance of the questions to one's ability to practice in a given specialty was questionable, and that the whole system devalued traditional measures of clinical competence and educational performance.I wrote last year's post with some trepidation, fearing that I may have not ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=469304 Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:29:00 +0100 469304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478932&cid=t_140745_118_f&fid=34892&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifeinthenhs.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F03%2Fnew-beginnings%2F On Monday I start my new job, and it is with some excitement and perhaps a little nervousness that I enter a new period of my career. I already have in my diary, the dates for various meetings around the county. I know there will lots to learn, new people to get to know and lots to get my head round. At the same time, I am preparing to conduct the research for my dissertation; there is unlikely then to be much in the way of spare time before the June 1 submission date. In the last couple of days I have cleared out papers, computer files and saved but not required emails and have contacted colleagues to make sure people know that my job is about to change. I feel sad in one way, but definitely not sorry, as the financial situation continues to bite into the education department. In the last... Life in the NHS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478932 Sat, 03 Mar 2007 08:44:29 +0100 478932