Cast & Curious

Tag: CME

  • Perspectives on blogging by Filipino Medical Bloggers:- TBR 13th Ed

    (Updated:Prudence MD, “I Think Therefore I Blog”)

    Subtitle: “The Long Overdue 13th ed of The Blog Rounds”!
    Introduction:
    Medical bloggers is a diverse subclass of “online” writers. The attempt to characterize their individual personalities and the topics they write often end up in inconclusive and even more confusing results. Blame it on the different backgrounds, socio-cultural factors, geography, and all. But information technology has united these bunch of diverse writers into one common goal- to write. For whatever ends and aspirations these online writers have for web blogging, there is this commonality. The urge to write.

    In 2006, a global health care blogger survey was undertaken by the Medical Blog Network and Envisions Solutions to assess the “pulse” of medical bloggers worldwide. Whatever the long term goal of that survey wasn’t clear from that start, but it attempted to “characterize” first the habits and motivations of medical bloggers and what they write. While the results of the survey gave us a ‘profile’ of the medical bloggers who joined the survey, the methodology and less stringent research tool cautions us not to generalize the results to all medical blogger. Take note that in survey, only one Asian medical blogger participated.

    For these edition of The Blog Rounds, I will attempt, albeit informally and anecdotally, to feel the pulse of Filipino medical bloggers akin to the research methods of Pinay Megamom for her 9th edition of TBR, Mentors Tormentors.

    Methodology:
    This is a double blind study. Meaning both the participants and the researcher doesn’t have an inkling about “how it ended up this way”. Medical bloggers were invited to join the regular themed blog rounds. Call for articles were posted early, and the posts, read as late as today. Those who responded, do so with beautiful treatise on blogging. Survey questions where randomly created by the author and answers where lifted from the articles of the bloggers, as deemed fit by the researcher. Article quotes are made as necessary to support “answers”.

    Results:    Here are the summary of results.

    Survey Population:

    • Majority of the contributors blog for personal and non-medical reasons. Writing about medical issues however, are part of their raging rants.

    With this, i have one single reason to smile despite everything. I still am blessed after all! I too couldn’t be more thankful than having this thought, that even in the absence of a confidante, there’s this thing called Blog.-Angel MD No More, On Blogging

    I got inspired with those people who blogs even the minutest thing that happens to their life to the minute and to the hour. They are making a living diary through their blogs. SO, bakit hindi ko rin gayahin! so… GO!…. BLOG!- Doc Tess, Why do I blog thee, let me count the ways”

    Motivation:

    • Majority blog to share their experiences, their opinions and sometimes to educate others.

    I used to blog about my personal thoughts, my travel, unofficial review of movies, books or food. Now, I blog to share my more socially relevant experiences as a Doctor to the Barrios- Merry Cherry, “We(b)log”

    If thru this blog, I can fight oppression and stop wars, if I can lead the world to peace and prosperity, to truth, love, freedom, and justice, then that is the revolution.-Mel, “Why do I Blog Thee? Let Me..”

    Nowadays, I write in longhand first, in a ratty old journal that has obviously seen better days. I go cautiously slow, like I do in real life. Then too, in the past month, I’ve started blogging to get the fog out of my head, to shake off the inertia, and to rid myself of writer’s block. And when I still feel completely overwhelmed, I resolve to take it one day at a time. Maybe even one word at a time…- Kitty Mama, “Raison de etre”

    • Most do not care who their readers are (Medical or non medical).

    Now, i don’t pretty much care if people read my blogs or not. My views about blogging have changed somewhat. I have come to realize that through blogging (as I have stated in my blog’s description), I am attempting to make life move slower for me.-Ana Kat MD, “Word Nerd”

    No matter how personal a blog is, it has got to have some structure, some method in madness, and most of all, a reason for its existence in cyberspace- VG Samson’s, “The Perfect Blog”

    To rant, rave, and say whatever else is in mind, shouting it to the world (this world and perhaps, to the other worlds out there) and believing that the world will care- Prudence MD, “I Think Therefore I Blog”

    Blogging Habits:

    • Many MD bloggers write about their personal experiences and opinions.

    1. Blogging keeps a record of my thoughts. 2. I could rave or rant about a lot of things…- Joey MD,“Blogging Thoughts “

    • Most blog anonymously to protect their privacy and their patients confidentiality.

    The initial hesitation of starting a blog was largely because I wanted to remain anonymous. After all, although I am a physician, I wanted this blog to be beyond medicine.- Em Dy, “This Recovery Room“

    Trust and Credibility:

    • Many respondents view their fellow blogg
      ers’ statements with a critical eye, but trust them to encourage active and unbiased commentary on their blogs

    It would be easy to pepper the blog with opinions or reactions about what’s popular but I prefer to keep it to what’s relevant to me. That’s also why this blog remains moderated. I only publish comments relevant to the blog post, whether we are of the same opinion or not- Em Dy, “This Recovery Room“

    I write a weblog because every now and then a reader writes a comment or sends an email or a text message and that encourages me.-Ness, “Why I Write a Weblog”


    Blogger Interactions:

    • Majority interact with other bloggers to share thought s and ideas.

    I also like to read up on other people’s thoughts on the different topics as it is a great way to find out more about someone you may not have yet met in person. You get a lot about his/her personality from the things he/she writes about and more or less find out more about the persons values and way of life.- J.A., “Blogging For Me”

    I shudder at the thought of meeting fellow bloggers in person, because I might just get disappointed with their real 3D personas.- Mel, “Why do I Blog Thee? Let Me..”

    So, perhaps, it isn’t really egotistical to think that the world cares to hear our thoughts. It may be perhaps that each of us do have something unique to share. And the invention of cyberspace and blogging gave that opportunity to each and every one. Another great equalizer of people, I think, besides traffic–Prudence MD, “I Think Therefore I Blog”

    There is that certain belief in the goodness of humanity, and the role that we play in that greater schema, whether as individual contributors or collectively in our profession. Even those who rant always have something good to say in the end.-Megamorph, “Accidental Blogger”

    Discussions:
    The results speak for themselves. Feel free to disagree.

    Limitations:
    The questions were to say at least, very controversial and answers can be very personal. No validated questionnaires were given out. Hence, the pulse is just limited to the blogger who participated in this edition of TBR and quantitative results is impossible.

    Conclusions:
    The fact that this is a double blind study makes us even think “there’s not much you can generalize about”. But read the individual entries and you will feel an almost “recurring” common grounds for blogging, the motivations to do so, the habits, and the interactions.

    Future Directions:
    A validated, both qualitative and quantitative survey online is the next logical step. It is always nice to know where the Filipino MD bloggers stand on so many issues and concerns, medical or otherwise.

  • Leveling the playing field on badminton courts and professional practice

    I’ve been playing badminton for almost a year now but never enjoyed any other sport as much as I enjoyed whacking shuttle cocks now. I have long accepted the limits of my innate athletic ability. But when my fitness level went off scale after med school and residency, I went berserk in panic search for a sport that would trim down excess calories.

    “I am awfully fat. Period.”

    I jumped at any sport that came my way- swimming, mountain biking, marathon, volleyball and even basketball, to name a few. I dabbled at a sport for some time and then moved on to another if it bored me to death already. But when my nephews invited me to a badminton game in our backyard, my affair with rackets and shuttle cocks never stopped since then.

    ” I gotta have one of those “Yonex” MP racket, promise!”

    I got hooked and seriously believed that being “geeky” on badminton would somehow improve my nominal athletic skills to competitive level and burn fats at the same time.

    I almost thought this was “MI 4”.

    I started training– albeit non formally, with the help of my nephews and friends. I read books, searched the net, watched training videos, international matches, and then applied what I saw on and off court. I stalked coaches, watched former national players’ matches, and asked endless questions to athletes often shunned as an obnoxious behavior.

    “That was an awesome cross court shot don’t you think?”

    Whilst a beginner, I joined matches and insisted taking on better skilled opponents. Obviously my ass got whipped left and right. I lost count of the times I was floored on court chasing shuttle cocks and losing balance. Most veteran players laugh at my mistakes. Some ridicule me at my clumsiness and shun off my competitive attitude on court.

    Like Rudy in Rudy.

    But I was serious not just on winning but also on improving my game and losing some extra calories. I took notes of my mistakes, applied new skills whenever possible and consistently improved tactics through drills and training. Results were barely tangible at first.

    Until, I first won my class E championships.

    Almost a year passed and I have improved a lot from where I started. Everyone seem to notice the “fit body” and weight loss (~30lbs) I incurred from playing this sport almost daily. Modesty aside, I learned a number of skills, improved my stamina and then pushed the limits of my athletic ability to levels I only dreamed of before. Given an equally skilled partner in a doubles match, I can deliver my previous court “tormentors” a smash past their speed limits or give them hard time winning matches against me. Interestingly, you gain more friends with more skills you learned!

    At the bottom of this improvement is the commitment to learn, accept, improve, train and apply new skills to beat your handicap and win friends. Have I started this type of attitude and training 30 years ago, I would have given Lin Dan a run for his spot in badminton world rankings!

    But that is purely speculative I guess. Thirty years later.

    >Professional practice in the business of medicine is analogous to learning and improving in a new sport, like badminton. Like it or not, when you are a newbie entering a competitive medical or surgical practice, chances are, you’d eat dust and be shunned away by “colleagues” for dabbling at “their craft”.

    Or crap.

    Medical practice is basically of skills and competition. Clinical and patients skills and the competition to earn one’s practice. You gotta learn some skills and improve on it. And almost always, it’s lonely being a newbie in the business of medicine.

    The field is not without “he-who-went-there-first” type of people, who have been comfortable in their share of patients’ pie, but forgot to acknowledge the need for “new blood” to be infused in the learning process. These ‘colleagues” will feel threatened by your aggressiveness and learning skills. Either they whip your ass or shun you away from “the practice”. Worst, you will be shot at first sight, and will offer you lots of excuses to do so.

    In one interview I attended, an interviewer admonished a training program applicant for signifying his intention of practicing in the same place where this guru is comfortably practicing. On surface, the excuse was “it’s too crowded”. Yet, on deeper prodding you’d find no clear evidence that it is in fact the status quo. The patient to specialist ratio is still wanting and that new skills have to be learned for specific type of diseases. This is where the newbie trainee is hoping to fit in. He has new skills, an updated learning, a conscious effort to improve and a love for the community. In my opinion that’s all he need to be in this “game” of competitive medical practice.

    My take on this and my advice for newbies ? Learn your craft, improve your skills, create a market for your expertise, stay on the side of the patient, and just ignore the rants thrown at you. I’m pretty sure that later, when you have grasp firmly on new found skills and niche, you’ll never be threatened by anybody on account of “overcrowding”.

    And maybe shame them all by extend help to newbies entering into the practice.

  • I "heart" the Philippines: The reason I’m staying…

    Loving the Philippines is not exactly the most popular addiction nowadays. The myriad of reasons (financial gains tops these reasons) for us to “pack up our things” and go somewhere else is all too alluring.

    “Hearting” the Philippines (as Doc Ian would aptly term it), is a costly fling I should say-one that is volatile and daunting. And for some ironic reasons, I grew to love My Philippines despite the countless setbacks I have and will endure. Here is the “why“.

    I heart the Pinoy.
    Okay, screw the corrupt, scoundrels, bigots, trapos, charlatans and the wicked. I’ll happily kick their butt to the scorn pit and the ass burners. There are countless other people however who overwhelmingly overshadow the rotten traits of these kibitzers and traitors. Joy, Russ, my family and the good people I learn from and serve.

    Russ my fair boy…

    Joy of my heart..
    A family that stays together…


    Some of the people I served…

    I am forever bound to them, and not even any monetary promise (unless that monetary renumeration is enough to save the whole Pinas) will separate me from their love and service. I hold them dear. And they are here in My Philippines.

    I love the place
    You see, whenever I get tired or bored from the so many bad news around, I go hopping places inside my Philippines on backpack and wits.

    Marvel at the ingenuity and diligence of our Ifugao brothers when all seems hard enough in life…
    Climbing mountains to get close to heaven…

    Frolic in the beach after a weeks hard work…

    Find a cool soothing underground river whenever you feel lost…


    Kid around with friends on some hidden paradise..

    Or simply jump below some crater lake for the heck of it…

    Awed by the beauty that I long so ago overlooked, I am astounded as well by the rich flora and fauna that littered the archipelagic
    Pinas. And I can travel incessantly without having to dig deep into my pockets.

    Simplicity is a way of life
    I have grown accustomed to the way of life here in my place.

    No matter how disadvantageous some of our traits will be, I still don’t think it decayed the unique hospitable and magnanimous qualities of us Pinoys. If you go to the country side, you will see the simplicity, the resilience, the hope and the enduring attitude of Pinoys that survive waves of colonization.

    We have a rich culture and history
    So rich and so diverse, I still haven’t understood half of it.

    I am however fascinated by its evolution and of its unfolding. Leaving, means being not part of this history unfolding. That is something I am not ready to let go, yet.

    The cut for living
    If I had a choice where to be poor, I’d still choose to be poor in my Philippines.

    I don’t know but whenever I go hungry, there’s always anybody who would willingly share a bread for me to eat. Yes, I don’t have a penny in my pocket, but some people don’t just bother to ask for a dime when they help you. And that’s why Id say it’s a lot better to be poor in this land than anywhere else.

    I want my future family to be “homegrown”
    There is no better place to grow and nurture a Pinoy family than ‘Pinas itself.

    That in a nut shell, is more than enough reason for me to “heart” Philippines.

  • Sixth Edition Blog Rounds: Philippine Healthcare, why is it far from the ideal?

    Philippine Healthcare: Why is it Far From Ideal?

    This 6th edition Blog Rounds’ theme attempts to put forward an analysis of a problematic( is it?)healthcare system that has long been tackled, but never successfully addressed. One of the biggest stakeholders in “the solution” to such problem, the doctors may offer some valuable insights in the final analysis of the root cause for such dying health scenario- here in our land!

    Join the sixth edition of TBR and be part of the lively discussions surrounding this issue! Doc Che will be hosting the sixth edition of TBR in her blog Merry Cherry. Her call for articles is already posted here. Please submit your entries to Doc Che before 5:00 PM April 21, 2008.

    For those unaware yet, The Blog Rounds is a weekly compilation of the best in Philippine’s medical blogosphere, written by physician bloggers (or the medically inclined bloggers) and hosted on a participating blogger’s weblog. Archives and edition schedules ( plus the host blogger) are listed here. The next edition of TBR will be up this Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7am PST.

    Physicians and medically inclined bloggers interested in joining this blog carnival, please contact me through my email kokegulper[at]yahoo[dot]com or any of the participating TBR bloggers. Guidelines and updates are posted here in my website, The Orthopedic Logbook.

  • At A Crossroad: The Blog Rounds 3rd ed is up at In the Middle of Nowhere

    (The original picture in this post is owned by Kenny Gulley, entitled The Storms of Life, was removed upon the owners request, depicts a man at a “crossroad”)

    The thousands crossroads we face in our daily lives. Who makes these crossroads? Who serves us the options? Why do we have to face it? What makes us choose the road less traveled? How do we feel about our decisions now? Are we happy about it?

    These are some of the questions physicians have dissected, researched and the answers, blogged in The Blog Rounds 3rd ed. Themed “At a crossroad“, the third edition of The Blog Rounds is up at Doc Claire‘s blog In the Middle of Nowhere. In this edition, you will see a growing community of Filipino doctors who blogged about their personal and medical life! What they wrote, will actually fill my whole week of reading and pondering!
    I am very thankful Doc Claire accepted and run a well thought of third edition of TBR. I am very much excited also of the growing number of Filipino MD blogger who joined TBR! My hat’s off to all of you!
    The Blog Rounds is a weekly compilation of the best in Philippine’s medical blogosphere, written by physician bloggers (or the medically inclined bloggers) and hosted on a participating blogger’s weblog. Archives and edition schedules ( plus the host blogger) are listed here. The next edition of TBR will be up this Tuesday, April 8,2008 7am PST and will be hosted by Doc Tess of An Eye Doctor in a Third World Country.

    For physicians and medically inclined bloggers interested in joining this blog carnival, please contact me through my email kokegulper[at]yahoo[dot]com or any of the participating TBR bloggers. Guidelines and updates are posted here in my website, The Orthopedic Logbook.