This second international interdisciplinary conference* aims explore the past, present, and possible future of comics in the context of the healthcare experience. Programs in medical humanities have long touted the benefits of reading literature and studying visual art in the medical setting, but the use of comics in healthcare practice and education is relatively new. […]
Latest articles
’21st Century Medicine, Aristotle And The Church’ by Dr. Andrew R. J. Tillyard
I recently attended the funeral of the local parish priest and this led me to consider many of the similarities between what I do in medicine and the role of the ‘Parish Priest’ as well as the ‘misrepresentation’ of 21st medicine. I work in intensive care, a setting of immense emotional stress for patients and […]
In Sickness and In Health : The Sharing of Pain in Namibia
Between a doctor and a patient, there is a very special and unique relationship contained in an exclusive realm. The connection is formed from the presenting of an illness and the sick are drawn to the healing. The healer in turn aspires to release the sick from their symptoms and pain. Our wonder of medicine […]
‘The Other Side of the Fence’ by Michael Corbo
Medical student Michael Corbo reflects on what he’s learnt from being a patient. I am sitting on a green chair in the waiting room. I have been sitting here for hours, but it feels like it has been days. I keep looking at the clock on the wall beside me. The room is filled with […]
Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine: Call For Applications
The “Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine”, is now accepting applications for the 2011 entry and invites both national and international submissions. […]
Hearing Voices
Perhaps, one form of illness where telling a story of the body is most evident is in respect to mental health. Yesterday’s ruling by the High Court’s Court of Protection, that a 69 year old lady with severe schizophrenia must receive the medical treatment for a prolapsed womb, which she has been strongly refusing and […]
Gawande’s ‘The Checklist Manifesto’ and Jurisevic’s ‘Blood on My Hands’
Atul Gawande has published ‘The Checklist Manifesto’ with Profile Books. Its about his WHO project to develop an 18 point safety checklist for non-cardiac operations. His blend of anecdotes and data makes comparison with building construction and aircraft accident investigation. On a more personal level Craig Jurisevic has published ‘Blood on my Hands’ as an […]
LRB and Alan Bennett’s Greening of Mrs Donaldson
London Review of Books for 9 Sept 2010 has interesting short story by Alan Bennett about a middle aged widower who, after becoming a landlady to medical students, becomes a demonstration patient. The doctor in charge of the medical students exhibits many of the unfortunate characteristics that greater exposure to the patient’s POV is designed […]
Fasting: Unto Life and Until Death
The month of Ramadan is drawing to a close. During this time, Muslims from every terrain, from the hottest countries, to the most Westernised societies, have been involved in a shared yet equally an exclusive passage of religious rites. Ramadan is a unique time in the Islamic year. For a period of one month, the […]
Institute of Medical Ethics Grants and Awards
For information on generous grants offered by the Institute of Medical Ethics for medical student electives, internships and related intercalated degree courses, as well as institutional grants see below. […]