Local Alternative Therapies

I'm interested in building up a local directory of alternative health practitioners in the area (London NW1, NW5) to try and build an encompassing local health map. If you come across any, please forward them on to me?

Builth & Llanwrtyd Medical Practice

The Builth Medical Practice in rural Mid Wales has developed a series of useful patient educational videos and podcasts on a variety of subjects such as cervical screening, how to use an inhaler, flu vaccination and sexual health. The website for the practice is not terribly exciting but the You Tube videos are a great way to convey patient information.

The New James Wigg

I finally got an idea how the new James Wigg Polyclinic may look like from this video created by Secondhealth.

I hope it's as good as this!

Health 2.0

An exhilarating short video from Scribmedia taking you through the history of medicine to health2.0

E-mail and medicine

There has always been a reluctance to use emails as a means to communicate with patients. It seems to be a combination of fear over patient privacy, a fear of being bombarded by patients through yet another communication channel and the fear of being forced to make an unsafe diagnosis. The article ' Few US doctors answers e-mails from patients' from Alicia Chang, AP science writer, highlights the benefits to both patients and doctors and how it will only be a matter of time before this will be a routine part of everyday practice.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours - First Aid Guide

I can imagine it must be quite scary if you are a non-medic to come across someone who is at risk of suicide. This is a really good idea from Australia, a set of Mental Health First Aid Guidelines to assist the person until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Other first aid guidelines for depression, psychosis and self injury without suicidal intent can be found here.

Cocaine Anonymous - Drug Addiction

I've recently come across a few patients who have managed to get good support and help from Cocaine Anonymous. It's an accessible site with lots of information about addiction, meetings and helplines for those who may need extra advice/support. Contact details are on the website above and while you are looking try the self test for addiction.

Enhanced Visual Performance

Dr Sherylle Calder is the first person to win back to back Rugby World Cup medals with England 2003 & Springboks 2007, by improving player's visual awareness. She is a visual performance skills consultant and has developed a series of eye training drills to improve visual fitness at eyethinksport.com - check out these demos and measure your visual fitness.

Chronic heart failure

An overview of diagnosis and treatment for chronic heart failure from the National Prescribing Centre

http://www.npc.co.uk/MeReC_Bulletins/pdfs/merec_bulletin_vol18_no3.pdf

Mobile Glucometer

And you can make a phone call

http://www.healthpia.us/tech.jsp

Online pain management

I'm always on the look out for web based tools that can save me time and can help patients with managing their conditions. This is a practical web based service that allows patients to manage their pain online. It could be useful for postoperative pain or in a palliative care setting, and I'm sure it would enable patients to have better control of their symptoms. It's from an American based company so you may not get to use it unless you work for United Healthcare, however, it gives you a feel for how new technologies can be used to change the way we deliver healthcare.

http://www.reliefinsite.com/users

If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies

Sometimes we need to take a step back from our busy lives and find a moment of reflective thought to take stock. If you need some help to achieve this, read the following quote attributed to Nadine Stair.

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

hypertension

This has to be one of my favourite sites called 'Videojug' - Life explained on film.

The 'how to lower your blood pressure' video is well done. I've shown it to a few patients and they've found it very helpful to understand and manage their condition. There is plenty of other fascinating stuff on this site to keep you busy if you have the time

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure

Are you close to boiling point?

From the Mental Health Foundation - a new campaign on the dangers of letting your anger get to you. If you need to let off steam, look at YourBoilingPoint, have a rant and measure how angry you are.