Truthiness
Perusing some abstracts last night, I came across one addressing the effects of e-medicine on patient-doctor relations. It made me contemplate
this scholar's post. I had formerly held the same perspective, as I think most do, however the patient-doctor scenario changed that somewhat.
We generally look at losing personal contact as a negative (with the exception of increasing productivity), but in what scenarios can this make people more comfortable to tell the truth and prove to be beneficial. Clearly it could benefit medicine as people may be more willing to convey their true sexual histories, etc. as they relate to HIV and STDs.
Could this increased level of comfort and trust help domestic violence or sexual assault victims effectively communicate their experiences? Help refugees share their stories? What other contexts could this be applied to?
Labels: Health, Tidbits
Onward and Outward
The past week has seen some
seismic movin' and
shakin' of future possibilities. While in NOLA for work, I sojourned to the international MPH department at Tulane and scouted the potential of resting my head in the city for a short spell. Despite all the praises I have heard of their international public health department I didn't really think it would emerge as a serious contender; nonetheless the program, encompassing emergency and disaster management, infectious disease, and policy (seemingly tailored for me), combined with city's developing country charm left me contemplating. Still
have these programs to check out though and Berkeley is definitely still in the running. Maybe it was all the
Sazeracs.
To compound the situation, over some ice cold sweet tea in the steamy Louisiana sun and the waitress calling me darling I got the call up to commence my first international project. A multitude of tea will be consumed in the coming weeks whilst working to identify emerging technologies that could be applied to immunization programs in developing countries.
Here comes the gravy train
Labels: Health, NOLA, Tidbits
Baseball & The Guy Sitting Next to Us
Three people in the office today, so my colleague Michael and I decided to pull a Ferris and bolt for the smell of stale beer and hot dogs at Coors Field for the 1:05 Rockies v. Cubs game. The relatively new park has definitely lost the new park smell, initiated with a shower of toppled beer and nachos.
A few brews, a lot of shelled peanuts, a BP ball, and a nice sunburn later a stronger bond was forged and the victors smiled. (Though, a little conflicted over the fact that the ballpark offers a footlong brat.)
It never ceases to amaze the amount of info that can sail under the radar in the work environment. During 9 innings of banter I discovered that my colleague worked with Oliver North as part of the task force created when the Iraqis invaded Kuwait in 1990, completed his Master's thesis on switching development indicators from economic to social and the impact of having a social scientist on assessment teams, he studied at AUC, and I received a ton of great advice and connections regarding MPH programs that I am currently looking at.
How much do you really know about the people you work with? The people in your organization? Your teachers?
As we try to expand our networks, I feel that we often look for the big name, "I have an in with Bill Gates" connections and fail to really develop and appreciate the potential of more intimate connections.
Labels: Denver, Groovin', Tidbits
Busted Flat
A little patience and professional courtesy pays off, for both parties.
I have been organizing the Latino AIDS Institute for the past few moons. Mix-ups went down, things got shaken up, thus is the Pursuit. But the vibe remained cordial throughout and now both parties are set to enjoy this radiant day on the salt flats.
The hotel didn't have to deal with a ranting maniac, who might go Mike Tyson on the manager's posterior.
And I am sitting on the top floor of the Hilton Salt Lake City in the Executive Suite, stocked with complimentary beverages of the adult effect.
Neither of us sacrificing the things that each required, but both getting a little tap on the bottom.
Labels: Tidbits
