Dr. Kalyani Premkumar has been selected as one of the recipients to receive the 2009 CAME/ACÉM Certificate of Merit Award. The aim of this award is to promote medical education in Canadian medical schools and to recognize and reward faculty’s commitment to medical education.
The Award will be presented during the CAME Annual General Meeting in Edmonton at the 2009 Canadian Conference on Medical Education, Sunday, May 3.
Queen Rania has played a significant role in reaching out to the global community to foster values of tolerance and acceptance, and increase cross-cultural dialogue.
Regionally and internationally, Queen Rania has campaigned for a greater understanding between cultures in high profile forums such as the Jeddah Economic Forum, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the Skoll Foundation in the UK. Visit her channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/QueenRania
Here is her "Accepting the first ever YouTube Visionary Award via taped message, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah spoofed the famous Top 10 format from US comedian David Letterman to explain why she launched this channel. "
The BMC journal has published a study about depression in medical students.
"There were 38.2% of students with depressive symptoms (BDI>9). The 6th year obtained the highest BDI scores. Affective cluster was significantly higher in the 6th year in comparison to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years (p<.05). Cognitive cluster was significantly higher in the 4th year in comparison to both 2nd and 6th years (p<.05)."
To read the article go to The characteristics of depressive symptoms in medical students during medical education and training: a cross-sectional study
Dr. Marcel D'Eon, the director of Educational Support and Development won a Teaching Excellence Award for 2008. Dr. D'Eon recieved the award because of
Teaching
Use of structured controversy in CH&E/PT course and in Prof Issues course and co-authored two articles on SC including an RCT comparing with an open discussion format
Consultations and support for new and experienced teachers
Created an essay fair for term papers: in small groups students read and discuss other related papers (opportunity for self-directed learning and peer review)
Uses buzz groups, 2-minute papers, pre-reading with discussion questions, small group discussions, and “clickers” in Prof Issues course
Led the Multi-PBL team for two years and brought medical students into the IP PBL process in 2002 (Aboriginal Health), in 2004 (HIV/AIDS) and in 2007 (Palliative Care).
Faculty Development
TIPS course administration, acceptance into residency training and for all new faculty
Redesigned TIPS with more active learning and pre-reading
Very well regarded locally and nationally as a workshop facilitator
Created and enhanced many of the ES&D workshops
Published an evaluation of the TIPS course and a theoretical article on faculty development
Created the “Facilitated Poster Sessions” at the Canadian Conference on Medical Education, now an established and regular feature
Created, in cooperation with Dep’t of Ed Admin, the Master’s program for faculty (two are graduating this spring)
Curriculum Development
Created the very successful SDCL module of Professional Skills and was the module coordinator for 4 years
Established a modest mentorship program for Med I's
Co-creator of the integrated cases program for Phase A (now moving into Phase B, C, and D) and administrator for two years
Created the Professional Issues course in Phase A from the History of Medicine course and has been instructing for 5 years.
Wrote the CASE Curriculum delivery framework for UGME
Provided crucial support in writing the initial draft of the objectives of the UGME program
Actively involved in the Curriculum Committee and sub-committees for the UGME program including Chair of the Student Competencies and Assessment Committee.
Criteria: Excellence in teaching should not be defined narrowly. However, nominees ordinarily will be acknowledged by their peers and students as being exceptional in practicing their art and craft and have significantly contributed to the teaching mission of the College of Medicine. This would include areas of advancement of learning of medicine and/or physical therapy in such areas as instructional content and methods, evaluation techniques, and/or administration. Eligibility: Any faculty member, in any department, who has taught medical or physical therapy students for at least three years and who, during that time, has been recognized as a superior teacher is eligible. The recipient does not need to teach only students in the College of Medicine, but must teach in some part of the medical or physical therapy curriculum, i.e. undergraduate through continuing professional learning.
Some of the world's leading researchers into Parkinson's disease were in Saskatoon over the weekend to share information on the search for a cure for the deadly condition.
Dr. Ali Rajput of the University of Saskatchewan convened the gathering of scientists from as far away Vienna.
Rajput is one of Canada's top neurologists and has been treating Parkinson's patients for more than 40 years.
He says medical science is much closer to a firmer understanding of Parkinson's, thanks to the presence of so many top experts sharing information in Saskatoon.
To continue reading, see the CBC article
In support of innovation in medical education assessment, the Edward J. Stemmler, MD Medical Education Research Fund of the National Board of Medical Examiners is pleased to announce that the *2008-2009 CALL FOR PROPOSALS is now available.* Applicants may go to http://www.nbme.org/research/stemmler/index.html to read the 2008-2009 CFP in its entirety and begin the online application.
Application Due Date: *OCTOBER 3, 2008*
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At the Medsin National Conference 2008 in October, Medsin and the Lancet Student will be launching a global health magazine. This magazine will be published twice a year and distributed at Medsin's two conferences. Furthermore, the theme of each magazine will coincide with the theme of the conference.
We are now soliciting articles for the first edition which will be entitled*'Medsin and the Lancet Student present Power and Politics in Global Health' *and we would love *YOU* to contribute.
Please note that this is not restricted to UK students - anyone can contribute! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ifmsa-scoph/message/5057;_ylc=X3oDMTJwam1yY2VqBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzE2MTU5MARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwODA4NjYEbXNnSWQDNTA1NwRzZWMDZG1zZwRzbGsDdm1zZwRzdGltZQMxMjEzOTAzNTMw
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RTNA 2008 Conference
Call for Abstracts
The Health Research Transfer Network of Alberta (RTNA) invites you to submit an abstract for the 2008 RTNA Conference "Lost in Knowledge Transfer: Finding Our Way Together". The conference is being held at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada, September 28 to 30, 2008
Learn the latest in knowledge transfer, meet with colleagues, and enjoy Alberta’s beautiful mountains—all in one package!
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International Conference on Gender-based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health15 - 18 February 2009, Mumbai, India
Submission of Abstracts
The abstract (about 300 words) typed on plain paper, using Microsoft Word (12 pt. Times New Roman). The abstracts should include: title of the paper, author(s), name of the institute, objectives of the study, methods, results, conclusions and recommendations. Send by e-mail to the organizing secretary. gbv2009@yahoo.co.in
<https://webmail.ucalgary.ca/src/compose.php?send_to=gbv2009%40yahoo.co.in>
bdonta2007@yahoo.co.in
<https://webmail.ucalgary.ca/src/compose.php?send_to=bdonta2007%40yahoo.co.in>
The final date to receive abstracts is 15 October 2008.
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Call for Presentation Abstracts
5^th Annual Diversity and Wellbeing Conference: The Diverse Faces of Mental Health
November 20 & 21, 2008
Mount Royal College
Calgary, Alberta
Purpose: The Calgary Health Region, in partnership with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal College and community organizations is hosting the 5^th annual Diversity and Wellbeing Conference. The purpose of the conference is to bring together health researchers, practitioners and policy makers with community members and organizations to:
□ share successful approaches to addressing the mental health needs of diverse individuals, families and communities;
□ facilitate opportunities for networking and connections among stakeholders; and
□ create momentum to work towards collective solutions to improving the mental health of diverse populations.
Theme: The theme of the conference for this year is Diversity and Mental Health. We are requesting presentations that address one or more of the following issues:
* What innovations are working in the provision of mental health
services to diverse populations?
*What are the mental health needs and statistics in diverse communities
* What is the role of spirituality in mental health?
* What are the diversity implications of current health policies and practices?
* How can we involve the lived experience of diverse populations in our research and decision making?
For the purposes of this conference, /diversity/ is defined as all the ways we are unique and different from others including such aspects as ethnicity, religious beliefs, appearance, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, family status and socio-economic circumstances.
People interested in presenting 60/90 minute workshops at the conference are asked to complete the attached form and submit it to the organizing committee: diversity.services@calgaryhealthregion.ca
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Contribute to a new project that you might find called Medpedia.com, which is being introduced to a select group of clinicians, researchers, expert patients, and medical students. Its Board of Advisors includes some of the top people in medicine, and it's an exciting time to join the Medpedia community. http://www.medpedia.com/
I came across this site while working on a different blog http://physicianentrepreneur.com/ and thought it might interest some of you. The author, Jose DeJesus, MD. wrote this brief description of why he started blogging.
"I have been publishing this blog for a year, providing the kind of information not generally taught in medical school, providing our fellow physicians and medical students with current news about the medical profession, tips to help a physician run a professional medical practice, manage a staff, deal more effectively with colleagues and the public, and better manage their personal lives. While the articles are written from the viewpoint of US physicians and the unique challenges we face, most of the material is useful to physicians practicing in any setting."
Check it out for articles about the practice of medicine such as:
How to Leave a Positive Phone Impression
Improving Customer Service
Effective Performance Reviews
Time Management - Working More Effectively
All faculty are invited to attend a Lunch and Learn, hosted by the American Society for Quality, SK Section.
Seminar: Under the Microscope, Lessons from Health Care on How to Deal with Mistakes
Date: Tuesday April 29, 2008
Lunch 11:45 am
Presentation 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Candle Room, Atrium Building, 111 Research Drive
Innovation Place, Saskatoon, SK
Cost: Members $ 25.00 + GST
Non-Members $ 30.00 + GST
Register: http://www.picatic.com/ticket/2008-04-29-ASQ/
When a mistake happens at work, what should you do? Do you look for who made the mistake and punish them? Or, do you work together to make sure it can’t happen again? If YOU make a mistake, do you report it, or do you keep it to yourself? In every industry, mistakes and errors are a big deal. In hospitals, it’s even bigger since a mistake can directly affect the health of you and your loved ones.
In this one-hour seminar, we’ll look at how the reporting of medical errors is changing. With real cases from health care and beyond, you’ll see that most errors come from flaws in the system. You’ll also see why they don’t get reported. We’ll see how medical error disclosure around the world is shifting away from blaming people, to a no-fault model that seeks to improve the whole system of care. We’ll also make the case for error-disclosure policies in hospitals and our own workplaces.
The goal is to build a culture of safety; a culture where all team members can openly report their mistakes, and work together to continually improve the quality of patient care. By looking at health care under a microscope, you’ll see how bringing errors out into the open can improve your own daily work as well.
Presenter: Dr Jay Kalra, an educator, researcher and quality health care advocate, is a Professor of Pathology at the University of Saskatchewan and has served as Head of the Department of Pathology and Head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Saskatoon District Health. Jay is a pioneer in establishing guidelines for thyroid-function testing, quality assurance programs and laboratory utilization in health care. Dr Kalra is advancing the agenda, nationally and internationally, related to quality care and patient safety including risk management, ethical issues, disclosure of medical/clinical error issues and related policies and practices.
Dr. Jawahar (Jay) Kalra, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FCAHS
Professor of Pathology, College of Medicine, U of S
To Register: http://www.picatic.com/ticket/2008-04-29-ASQ/
To join ASQ: https://secure.asq.org/ecommerce/newmember/execute/newMemberSetup
Registration is confirmed when fees are received. Please register early so we can arrange catering (No later than April 25th please).
For further information, contact: Dave Hunchak, ASQ Program Chair: (306) 373-5636
Dr. Alika LaFontaine from the University of Saskatchewan won Canada's Next Great Prime Minister.
Canadian Medicine - News and views from the editors of the National Review of Medicine announced that Dr. Doig has been nominated as the new CMA president
http://canadianmedicine.blogspot.com/2008/02/dr-anne-doig-wins-saskatchewan.html
The Active Learning Blog Carnival is looking for submissions for the Dec. 07 edition. http://activelearningcarnival.blogspot.com/ Scroll down to the bottom of the article to find a link to the submission site.
Today is Blog Action Day, a day for spreading the word about the environment.
This list is from National Resource Defence Council
EASY ENERGY-SAVING HABITS (Free!)
Don't forget the basics. This simple stuff will save energy -- and money -- right now.
Unplug
Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.
Set Computers to Sleep and Hibernate
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under system preferences in the apple menu.
Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch.
Take Control of Temperature
Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees or less during the daytime, and 55 degrees before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day). During the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees or more.
Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.
Set the thermostat on your water heater between 120 and 130 degrees. Lower temperatures can save more energy, but you might run out of hot water or end up using extra electricity to boost the hot water temperature in your dishwasher.
Use Appliances Efficiently
Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit; your freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. You can check this by making sure that a dollar bill closed in between the door gaskets is difficult to pull out. If it slides easily between the gaskets, replace them.
Don't preheat or "peek" inside the oven more than necessary. Check the seal on the oven door, and use a microwave oven for cooking or reheating small items.
Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it. Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use.
In your clothes washer, set the appropriate water level for the size of the load; wash in cold water when practical, and always rinse in cold.
Clean the lint filter in the dryer after each use. Dry heavy and light fabrics separately and don't add wet items to a load that's already partly dry. If available, use the moisture sensor setting. (A clothesline is the most energy-efficient clothes dryer of all!)
Turn Out the Lights
Don't forget to flick the switch when you leave a room
Remember this at the office, too. Turn out or dim the lights in unused conference rooms, and when you step out for lunch. Work by daylight when possible. A typical commercial building uses more energy for lighting than anything else.
The College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan is currently investigating how distributed medical education could provide more physicians for Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan has some dynamic examples of community-based medical education such as:
Switch
http://www.switch.usask.ca/
Regina Family Medicine Unit
http://www.medicine.usask.ca/family/sites-and-divisions/regina-family-medicine-unit
Prince Albert
http://www.medicine.usask.ca/family/sites-and-divisions/rural-family-medicine-prince-albert/
To further your understanding of what distributed learning looks like in other provinces, please look at the models below.
Multiple Campus Model
In this model, traditional classroom teaching at the undergraduate level is provided on several campuses simultaneously. In many cases, this model is supported by broadband computer technology that allows lectures to be delivered to multiple sites.
Northern Ontario Medical School
Multiple campuses
http://www.normed.ca/
British Columbia
Northern Campus, Island Campus + Fraser Valley Campus
http://www.med.ubc.ca/education/distributed_programs.htm
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Windsor and London Campuses
http://www.uwindsor.ca/units/medicalbuilding/construction.nsf/inToc/24CB8F79500D27FC85257316004DF779?OpenDocument
Rural Exposure
In this very common model, students go into rural communities for clinical rotations.
University of Ottawa
www.medecine.uottawa.ca/tfg/pdf/D/University%20of%20Ottawa%20Vision%20for%20DME%20Mar28%2005.pdf
Rural Ontario Medical Program
http://www.romponline.com/
Alberta
http://www.arfmn.ab.ca/residency_program/program_overview.html
This message was recently posted on A Blog Around the Clock http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2007/01/the_science_blogging_anthology.php
"Yes! It is finally here! What you have all been waiting for, impatiently, for three weeks! The Science Blogging Anthology is now for sale. Go to Lulu.com by clicking here and place your order! You can choose to buy a PDF to download (but do you really want to print out 336 pages!?) or order the book with its pretty cover - it takes only a couple of days to arrive at your doorstep.
You can see here how it all got started, just three weeks ago, smack in the middle of the holidays when nobody was online and traffic was down to a third of the normal - and the whole thing just exploded! It was meant to coincide with the inaugural Science Blogging Conference."
A multidisciplinary conference to explore topical legal and ethical issues in genetic medicine and research will run Nov. 15-17, 2007 at the University of Calgary. For information about One Origin, One Race, One Earth: Genetics, Human Rights and the Next Phase of Human Evolution, or to register, please visit http://www.aclrc.com/OneOrigin/.
Dr. Ali Rajput, world-class researcher and professor emeritus of neurology was named 2006 Saskatoon Citizen of the Year by CTV. Dr. Rajput has spend the last 40 years in Saskatoon researching movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and was responsible for the creation of the Saskatchewan Centre for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders at Royal University Hospital. Rajput is also credited with inspiring the Kinsmen Foundation to create the Telemiracle fundraiser for Saskatchewan people with disabilities.
His past awards include a Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, a University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher Award and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. In 1997, he was made an officer of the Order of Canada. The Saskatchewan Medical Association also crowned him doctor of the year for 2006.
Medical Gadget has a listing of award winning medical Blogs up at http://www.medgadget.com/
I'm a week late on posting this but I think it needs to be said.
15 million children worldwide have been orphaned by Aids. Let's take a minute to think about what that means. More than 50% of these children are in countries with fragile infrastructures, so children end up looking after their brothers and sisters. School becomes increasingly difficult to afford both in terms of money and in terms of time. Literacy goes down, future employability goes down. Girls become more vulnerable to prostitution and child marriages. Boys become more easily drafted into child armies, terrorism or the drug trade. A whole generation of healthcare workers are lost to illiteracy.
