Comments on: Richard Smith: Doctors are not interested in health or prevention

By: Simon C

Simon C — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:09:00 +0000

The humourless, politically correct, strike again. If you had commented on a “Fabio” look-alike with crotch-outlining tight jeans possibly with his gay cardiologist lover that would have been wrong too. I agree with bomber Harris and TS Eliot on this one.

By: Saps

Saps — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:49:00 +0000

Dr Smith, thank you for an interesting text although it would have been more interesting if it was not for the assumption that a woman with a short skirt most likely was someone’s mistress. It is sad to learn that sexism is present at all vanues and that if a woman has a short skirt it can not be because she likes the skirt and that it is more probable that she is a mistress to somebody. I did not see the relevannce of that comment in this texts. /Dr.S

By: RASNEU

RASNEU — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:36:00 +0000

This was said centuries before Freud, by the Arcipreste de Hita in “El Libro del Buen Amor”. By the way, cherchez la femme!

By: notactualsize

notactualsize — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:51:00 +0000

1. Thanks for the reply. Your clarifications are helpful. The allusion to Freud had been unclear to me. It isn’t now.

2. I always enjoy your posts: that’s why I bothered to challenge the apparent sexism.

By: Dr.W

Dr.W — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:42:00 +0000

Bright and edifying. Thank you.

By: Moppie

Moppie — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:15:00 +0000

In my early days as a researcher I was told that there is empirical evidence that the primary function of conferences is to rekindle affairs – whether of an illicit or work orientated form, I never enquired. Now a more experienced researcher, I have been to umpteen conferences; and I must add that I have never used a conference to rekindle an affair.

Being a Confy geek, I have kept a meticulous record of the many national (UK) and international confy’s that I have been to. This began as a work feedback thing, but soon became something that I did as a labour of love – as I said geek – and I now have over 20 documentations of such events. Being also a bit of a foody, they do focus a little too much on the quality of the confy banquets/dinners, which ranged from excellent in Basel (at a restaurant), to little worse than WWII rations (in places I shall not name). This I have thought reflects the approachability of some of the delegates (excellent to standoffish) and ilkewise the quality of the presentations (excellent to WWII-ish).

All said I think there is definitely a place for confy’s. They are one of the few places where people can still get involved in a Socratic tussle – the best way to derive knowledge. (And all the better when it is done at the bar). A looming presentation forces one to gather thoughts around their work, which can then lead to an article. It’s nice to have a change of scenery and to see a new part of the world – I have went on travels to places where a conference was previously held. And of course there are the said banquet/dinners. If only someone was able to write a funny insightful piece on such confy banquet/dinners; would this not make for an amusing piece in the Christmas edition of BMJ…?

By: Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Freud said that we do everything for “fame and the love of beautiful women.” I was making an oblique reference to that famous quote, and it could of course be “beautiful men.” And, of course, women too can arrange assignations with their lovers.

By: Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:48:00 +0000

“Never apologise, never explain” was the philosophy of both Bomber Command and T S Eliot, but I will try to explain. The reference to the woman in the short skirt might pretentiously be described as “a literary device.” The woman was there, and by suggesting that she might be the mistress of one of the speakers, which she almost certainly wasn’t, I add to the sense sleaze and corruption that I’m trying to create.

By: David Drew

David Drew — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:05:00 +0000

Comments so far suggest Doctors not interested in Health, Prevention or Humour. Laughter is the mest medicine. Prophylactic. TxRichard.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:36:00 +0000

This was objectionable on so many levels. Not sure what point you were trying to make with your comments about women, but you did manage to offend.

By: carolynthomas

carolynthomas — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Dr. Smith, this would be downright hilarious if it weren’t also so disturbing. But let’s face it, in our current modern system of marketing-based medicine, there is little money to be made flogging exercise, heart-smart eating, maintaining a healthy weight, stress management or other lifestyle improvements. Better to reach for the prescription pad.

Distressing that the stent session was jam-packed, yet the prevention sessions were woefully empty. Says it all, doesn’t it?