Humanities resources to support healthcare professionals and patients
A dying child in rural Russia in 1916, by Mikhail Bulghakov. At eleven o’clock that night a little girl was brought. The mother’s face was contorted with noiseless weeping. When she had thrown off her sheepskin coat and shawl and unwrapped the bundle, I saw a little girl of about three years old. For a Read More …
The Diphtheria disaster at Medellin, Colombia. Diphtheria of a virulent type had been present in the district. In 1928, 45 of 105 patients died; in 1929, 68 of 109; and in 1930, 30 of 271. In consequence it was decided to test children by the Schick method and to immunize them with formalinized diphtheria toxin Read More …
Ibsen on whistleblowing in 1882. In this extract Dr Stockmann finds that his discovery of the health risk arising from local industry is most unwelcome. There is a confrontation with his brother, the mayor of the town. From from a New York production (Manhattan Theatre Club). Commentary Dr Stockmann is physician to the new spa Read More …
‘Where is it OK?’ conundrums. Posy Simmonds. Commentary Posy Simmonds captures and punctures society’s often hypocritical attitudes as sharply as ever. Since she composed this in 1984, laws and attitudes have improved – but statistics are still disappointing. Further info Reproduced by kind permission of the artist Posy Simmonds Breastfeeding resources Guide (Feedgood, Scottish Govt) Read More …
Doctor Dave by Rowan McCabe. Commentary This portrait of a North Shields GP is part of the Door to Door Poetry project in which McCabe knocks on doors seeking (free) poetry commissions. Dave Tomson was one of his early subjects. North Shields, and its bigger sister South Shields, sit on opposite sides of the mouth Read More …
I was a model patient – Laura. When I was 16, I got a job as a “standardized patient”. Because apparently you can make it through 4 years of undergraduate, a rigorous medical school application process, and, you know, normal life experiences, but still require formalized practice in speaking with other actual humans. My character Read More …
Joy of chaperones. Posy Simmonds. Commentary We are advised to use a chaperone almost always. A perceptive observer, Simmonds puts her finger on the lack of trust implied, and its effect on both parties. Further info Cartoon reproduced by kind permission of the author GMC on chaperones Medical defence associations, royal colleges, and medical schools Read More …
The false narrative of choice. S Luckett G. ‘Miss,’ she said, as I bit my tongue. I was choking on the worst insult a female junior doctor can bear, ‘I know that crystal meth is really my problem. I’m going to quit the meth.’ ‘Love,’ I started, a reflex term of endearment for the wretched Read More …
Touch Life – movie from Aeon.co. Commentary A 13 minute film touching gently on anxiety about meeting a partner’s parents, being blind, screenreaders, and a guide dog. Beautifully filmed and edited with carefully framed Edinburgh scenery. Blindness is just-one-of-the-facts, and this feels a very authentic portrayal. Agata, a young, blind Polish woman, plans to travel Read More …
The secret doctor. When I was still a core trainee, I looked at a chest x-ray for less than ten seconds, closed it and I wrote: ‘CXR – no evidence of pneumonia’. I was on-call and reviewing an elderly lady with multiple co-morbidities who the FY1 was worried about. Her septic screen had returned a Read More …