By By Ivan Shen, Edited by Rosemary Kirk A few weeks ago, my lovely SG facilitator Professor Peter Baume told our group that collectively, the world’s knowledge in the medical field doubles every 18 months. While this is an incredible statistic representative of the rapid progress of modern research and innovation,
0.1%
By Ivan Shen Recently, having found myself washing my hands more frequently than I otherwise would, I took a chance to actually read the labelling on my soap. Of course, we are all familiar with the common phrase “It kills 99.9% of germs”. It is always that number 99.9%, never
By Myself
By Brian Feng Enjoy listening to this while you read: I wake up And stare at the ceiling,Phone alarm beeping,I feel tired.Don’t feel like doing anything.I lay in bed,In its warm embraceAs I scroll through TikToks. Swipe,Laugh,Comment,Smile,Double tap for a heart.I forward them to my friendsHoping they will laugh too. Earphones
The Certainty of This Uncertainty
By Shaddy Hanna What is it about our current situation that leaves us so unnerved, so disturbed, and so perturbed? Is it our lack of control? Is it the overwhelming sense of insecurity and instability? Or is it the fear of the unknown? I’m sure it’s many of the above,
How can we make a difference?
“I like to think a part of me, no matter how small, genuinely wanted to help others. I imagine the same would be true for you. Can there be anything nobler than saving a life?”
The Not-So-Wonderful World of Medical Eponyms
“Many commentators in recent decades have labelled the use of eponyms impractical, inaccurate and outdated, some even advocating to eliminate eponyms from the medical literature altogether in favour of more standardised terminology.”
War on Drugs
“Our policymakers don’t understand that prohibition does not equal control, but rather the handing over of the reins to a much more sinister force.”
The Wonderful World of Medical Eponyms
“Love them or hate them, you cannot escape eponyms in medicine. Skim down to the footnotes of any page in Talley’s and you’ll find random tidbits of information on the old German physician or wacky American surgeon who gave their name to the medical term that we know and cherish today.”
The Dangers of Retrospective Diagnosis
“Did Michelangelo have arthritis? Did Beethoven have syphilis? Did Hitler really only have one testicle?”
2020: A Health Odyssey
In the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick depicts the character of HAL 9000, a sentient AI who progresses past mere advanced computational abilities and develops intrinsically human emotions. In the hallmark scene preceding HAL’s deactivation, it pleads, in its half-human and half-metallic voice: “Will you stop, Dave…I’m afraid…I’m afraid Dave.”
Half a century after the film’s release, AI is beginning to be implemented into all areas of our lives, and healthcare is no exception.
