Encouraging handwashing
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health has investigated the way different messages influenced handwashing behaviour in a natural setting.1 So what types of messages changed behaviour? Fittingly, given the measurement problems faced in previous handwashing research, messages relating to social norms and reputation management were most effective for both men and women (for example, “Is the person next to you washing with soap?”). Intriguingly, this social dimension o … Read this article >>
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Childhood obesity and surgery
Obesity is a global pandemic. In 2005 the World Health Organization estimated that more than 400 million adults were obese.1 In developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, rates of obesity have more than doubled in the past 25 years.2 Body mass index (BMI), commonly used to classify obesity, is calculated by dividing the patients’ weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellen … Read this article >>
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Clegg scholarship 2010
The Clegg scholarship is a work experience placement aimed at medical students from all over the world who want to learn about medical journalism. We are looking for four medical students to spend eight weeks with the BMJ and Student BMJ in London between March and December 2010. This could be for your elective, during your summer holiday, or as an appropriate part of your curriculum. If you are from outside the European Union, you will need to have a work experience permit and a visa t … Read this article >>
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Classic Book: Veronika Decides to Die
“When she had achieved almost everything she wanted in life, she had reached the conclusion that her existence had no meaning, because every day was the same. And she had decided to die.” Paulo Coelho’s story is of a 24 year old woman, Veronika, who attempts to commit suicide by taking an overdose of tranquillisers. However, things go awry when she wakes up in Villette, “the famous and much feared lunatic asylum.” As far as Veronika can tell, she had made a rational, thoughtful decision … Read this article >>
Get stuck in
When applying to medical school, few applicants realise that as a clinical medical student you will spend a substantial proportion of your time waiting for things to happen. This may be waiting for tutorials to begin, waiting for patients to arrive, or waiting for the inevitable grilling from the consultant about a topic that is beyond your powers of recall. Occasionally during these mundane periods of waiting, something dramatic and totally unexpected occurs. I recently found myself in … Read this article >>
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Eyespy
Sun, sea, and sex—The mean number of sexual partners increases from 0.3 to 1.0 per four week period in young travellers to Australia from the United Kingdom. In a study in Sexually Transmitted Infections respondents were asked about sexual activity during their stay in Australia and in the year before leaving the UK (2009;85:477-82). Of the 1008 18-35 year olds questioned, 39.7% had multiple sexual partners in Australia and of those arriving single and having sex, 40.9% reported inco … Read this article >>
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