Who would have thought?
Irish Medical Times | News | Docs blamed for Caesarean rate
Perhaps we have something to learn from the elephants?
Monday, 7 December 2009
Sunday, 6 December 2009
An attack on women's rights
Letters in the Age in response to Dr Andrew Pesce, president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) claiming his greatest achievement in that role is having been able to successfully lobby Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to make amendments to home birth legislation
An attack on women's rights
An attack on women's rights
Saturday, 5 December 2009
If Loved Ones Lessen Our Perceptions of Pain, Do Enemies Make Them Worse? Sarah Master Answers - Science and Religion Today
A great reason to surround ourselves with people we feel good with! Which of course, has implications for birthing women. Midwives have to be good to be around. Birthing women need to be surrounded by people they love and who love and support them for optimal psychophysiological functioning, which includes not only oxytocin release, but includes the endogenous opiods. So, it can be seen, that not just enemies make things worse, but anyone who is not fully 'present' for the woman in labour, therefore setting off her 'alarm' system, can make things worse.
If Loved Ones Lessen Our Perceptions of Pain, Do Enemies Make Them Worse? Sarah Master Answers - Science and Religion Today
If Loved Ones Lessen Our Perceptions of Pain, Do Enemies Make Them Worse? Sarah Master Answers - Science and Religion Today
Embodied Cognition: Using Movement to Understand the Mind
This study is interesting as it provides an insight into the midwifery maxim first articulated by Ina May Gaskin "fix the mind, fix the body; fix the body, fix the mind". Ina May's midwifery maxim points to a deep understanding of how the nervous system is an embodied system. When we get an appreciation of how the way we think and feel affects the way our body functions, not just in gross physical communication movements but at all levels of movement, (including cellular communication, chemical communication etc) throughout the body, we come to see that attending to the holistic aspects of being is the best way to optimise health.
A clear understanding of the way the mind and the body are inextricably interconnected and integrated helps to explain why midwives work with childbearing women to meet childbearing women's emotional, physical, spiritual, cultural and psychological needs and desires regarding the births of their babies. What some people refer to as 'woo woo' psychobabble or pseudoscience is actually sound midwifery practice.
Embodied Cognition: Using Movement to Understand the Mind
"Interpersonal communication is more than just the exchange of words. Speech, gaze and body coordination are all utilized during conversation. A common example, such as hand gesturing while speaking, shows effective communication is more than just a linguistic dynamic.
This phenomenon, called embodied communication, is the focus of a new study by University of Cincinnati professors in the Department of Psychology.
“Collaborative Research: Dynamics of Interpersonal Coordination and Embodied Communication” is a $418,809 National Science Foundation grant given to Associate Professors Kevin Shockley, Michael Riley and Assistant Professor Michael Richardson to understand coordination of thought by studying coordination of action.
“We’re using movement as a window to understand how people coordinate their thinking,” says Shockley, the principal investigator for the study. “Normally people don’t think of movement when they hear about psychology, but that’s unfortunate because the embodied cognition approach illustrates so nicely how movement is integral to our understanding of the mind.”
A clear understanding of the way the mind and the body are inextricably interconnected and integrated helps to explain why midwives work with childbearing women to meet childbearing women's emotional, physical, spiritual, cultural and psychological needs and desires regarding the births of their babies. What some people refer to as 'woo woo' psychobabble or pseudoscience is actually sound midwifery practice.
Embodied Cognition: Using Movement to Understand the Mind
"Interpersonal communication is more than just the exchange of words. Speech, gaze and body coordination are all utilized during conversation. A common example, such as hand gesturing while speaking, shows effective communication is more than just a linguistic dynamic.
This phenomenon, called embodied communication, is the focus of a new study by University of Cincinnati professors in the Department of Psychology.
“Collaborative Research: Dynamics of Interpersonal Coordination and Embodied Communication” is a $418,809 National Science Foundation grant given to Associate Professors Kevin Shockley, Michael Riley and Assistant Professor Michael Richardson to understand coordination of thought by studying coordination of action.
“We’re using movement as a window to understand how people coordinate their thinking,” says Shockley, the principal investigator for the study. “Normally people don’t think of movement when they hear about psychology, but that’s unfortunate because the embodied cognition approach illustrates so nicely how movement is integral to our understanding of the mind.”
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Meet Mr 3am: the nation's dynamic top doctor
Known for his candour and willingness to speak his mind, the 49-year-old has made his presence felt at the negotiating table as the Federal Government attempts to push through health reforms.
He successfully lobbied Health Minister Nicola Roxon to make amendments to home birth legislation, ensuring that midwives would be denied Medicare payments unless they could prove they were working collaboratively with doctors.
The home birth lobby claimed the changes curtail a woman's right to choose how she gives birth, but Dr Pesce cites it as his greatest achievement so far as AMA president.
Meet Mr 3am: the nation's dynamic top doctor
He successfully lobbied Health Minister Nicola Roxon to make amendments to home birth legislation, ensuring that midwives would be denied Medicare payments unless they could prove they were working collaboratively with doctors.
The home birth lobby claimed the changes curtail a woman's right to choose how she gives birth, but Dr Pesce cites it as his greatest achievement so far as AMA president.
Meet Mr 3am: the nation's dynamic top doctor
Parliament of Australia: Senate: Committees: Community Affairs: Inquiry into Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related Bills
Urgent call to send submissions to the Senate by the 11th December 2009. Have your say on the future of maternity services in Australia
You can find the terms of reference for the inquiry and copies of the Bills here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/health_leg_midwives_nurse_practitioners_09_nov09/index.htm... See More
Parliament of Australia: Senate: Committees: Community Affairs: Inquiry into Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related Bills
You can find the terms of reference for the inquiry and copies of the Bills here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/health_leg_midwives_nurse_practitioners_09_nov09/index.htm... See More
Parliament of Australia: Senate: Committees: Community Affairs: Inquiry into Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related Bills
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Medical News: Insect Repellent Use Associated with Hypospadias - in Public Health & Policy, Environmental Health from MedPage Today
Infants born to mothers who used insect repellent during the first trimester of pregnancy were more likely to have hypospadias (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.11) after adjusting for other factors, according to a report published online Nov. 30 in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Medical News: Insect Repellent Use Associated with Hypospadias - in Public Health & Policy, Environmental Health from MedPage Today
Medical News: Insect Repellent Use Associated with Hypospadias - in Public Health & Policy, Environmental Health from MedPage Today
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Same hormone evokes both love and envy, study finds | Science and Environment | Jerusalem Post
"With a reputation as the “love hormone,” oxytocin has been linked to trust, empathy and generosity. But new research suggests that oxytocin plays a role in jealousy and gloating as well. “Subsequent to these findings, we assume that the hormone is an overall trigger for social sentiments: When the person’s association is positive, oxytocin bolsters pro-social behaviors; when the association is negative, the hormone increases negative sentiments,” Israeli researcher Simone Shamay-Tsoory, of the University of Haifa, said in a news release from the university".
Same hormone evokes both love and envy, study finds | Science and Environment | Jerusalem Post
Same hormone evokes both love and envy, study finds | Science and Environment | Jerusalem Post
Study links genetic variation to individual empathy, stress levels
Researchers have discovered a genetic variation that may contribute to how empathetic a human is, and how that person reacts to stress. In the first study of its kind, a variation in the hormone/neurotransmitter oxytocin's receptor was linked to a person's ability to infer the mental state of others.
Hmmmmm, can't help but wonder what sort of birth and early upbringing the folks with the gene variation had. The environment has a huge impact on which genes get switched on which ones get switched off. How the genes get tinkered with and altered too depends upon the environment. Epigenetics is the field of science exploring genetic behaviour in response to environmental cues. The issue of the early environment on the person's oxytocin's receptor variation would be good study.
Study links genetic variation to individual empathy, stress levels
Hmmmmm, can't help but wonder what sort of birth and early upbringing the folks with the gene variation had. The environment has a huge impact on which genes get switched on which ones get switched off. How the genes get tinkered with and altered too depends upon the environment. Epigenetics is the field of science exploring genetic behaviour in response to environmental cues. The issue of the early environment on the person's oxytocin's receptor variation would be good study.
Study links genetic variation to individual empathy, stress levels
BBC NEWS | Health | Hypnosis has 'real' brain effect
"Hypnosis has a "very real" effect that can be picked up on brain scans, say Hull University researchers.
An imaging study of hypnotised participants showed decreased activity in the parts of the brain linked with daydreaming or letting the mind wander.
The same brain patterns were absent in people who had the tests but who were not susceptible to being hypnotised.
One psychologist said the study backed the theory that hypnosis "primes" the brain to be open to suggestion.
Hypnosis is increasingly being used to help people stop smoking or lose weight and advisers recently recommended its use on the NHS to treat irritable bowel syndrome".
Hypnosis is used in programs like 'Hypnobirthing' and 'Calmbirth' to help women give birth normally. This research helps to understand how hypnosis can be effective for some women and not for others. The self management skills that come through these programs are very beneficial for most people.
BBC NEWS | Health | Hypnosis has 'real' brain effect
An imaging study of hypnotised participants showed decreased activity in the parts of the brain linked with daydreaming or letting the mind wander.
The same brain patterns were absent in people who had the tests but who were not susceptible to being hypnotised.
One psychologist said the study backed the theory that hypnosis "primes" the brain to be open to suggestion.
Hypnosis is increasingly being used to help people stop smoking or lose weight and advisers recently recommended its use on the NHS to treat irritable bowel syndrome".
Hypnosis is used in programs like 'Hypnobirthing' and 'Calmbirth' to help women give birth normally. This research helps to understand how hypnosis can be effective for some women and not for others. The self management skills that come through these programs are very beneficial for most people.
BBC NEWS | Health | Hypnosis has 'real' brain effect
Medical establishment prevents nurses from assuming new roles
Physicians still retain the bulk of decision-making power over nurses in Quebec - a situation that's detrimental to evolving nursing roles. According to a new study by Université de Montréal researchers, published in Recherches Sociographiques, nursing functions are still very much assigned by physicians who often oversee family medicine groups (FMGs), specialized nurse practitioners (SNP) and oncology nurse navigators (ONN).
Medical establishment prevents nurses from assuming new roles
Medical establishment prevents nurses from assuming new roles
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Medical News: Listeriosis Risk to Fetuses Higher than Thought - in Infectious Disease, General Infectious Disease from MedPage Today
The risk of listeriosis in pregnant women and their fetuses is greater than previously thought, researchers said.
Listeria monocytogenes -- one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens in the U.S. -- can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, according to Mary Alice Smith, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Medical News: Listeriosis Risk to Fetuses Higher than Thought - in Infectious Disease, General Infectious Disease from MedPage Today
Listeria monocytogenes -- one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens in the U.S. -- can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, according to Mary Alice Smith, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Medical News: Listeriosis Risk to Fetuses Higher than Thought - in Infectious Disease, General Infectious Disease from MedPage Today
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