05 October 2011

procrastination with honors...

it's that time. again. essay deadline is friday. just about to start working nights, finish saturday morning. so far i have baked the worlds flattest banana cake, gone through the sky+ box and deleted all the old 'simpsons' episodes....any good ideas regarding current hot topics for public health/social policy welcome. there is a quiet panic in the air. at least half of my commute will be in daylight for a change.
276/365

*collecting new bike on saturday.

13 comments:

Richard said...

Mmmm Cake. You've motivated me to go to the cafe. Thanks. :)

Anonymous said...

What new bike?!

Yak Hunter said...

I feel your panic. No ideas for public health/social policy - except smoking, drinking and did you know that children have to have certain vaccinations or they can't attend school in some states in the US? (but not here)...discuss...

kate said...

rich- glad to be of serivce!

rosemary- big wheels but not ti ;) very cheapo old racer from ebay.

yak hunter- thanks. think i'm going to go with smoking and obesity....3000 words doesn't seem long enough!!! at least i don't have to 'reflect' about it ;)

Yak Hunter said...

Tidy, why didn't I think of obesity? Its a great topic.

Very impressed with your long commutes at sunrise by the way. I HATE long days but at least if you're getting a good cycle in that's something...

kate said...

yak hunter- looking out of the window right now, i'm contemplating get the train in tonight!! yeh, i'm not totally convinced about long days, swings and roundabouts! what sort of setting/ward do you work in?

Yak Hunter said...

I'm working on the nurse bank and have been avoiding working in hospital just because I can so community setting - going out in cars and visiting....but I've also got a p/t job as a CSW helping in an IUD clinic. I needed the regular money to be sure and pay the bills. Never have to cycle more than 4 miles to get to work. I used to quite like working long hours as a test of stamina really but not anymore - I just get bored and dull in the brain! Really like your blog. Never know what you're going to get...Get back to that essay!

ultra collie said...

yes..no flu jab campaign this year..likely uptake..higher? lower? advertising needed or a waste of precious resource? if one extra life lost due to lack of awareness does that justify £5m to save it? or not? what is the role of macro state in public health vs local interventions?
i'll get me coat

kate said...

yak- i like the idea of working in the community but have yet to have the opportunity. it must be nice to have such a variety in your work. i imagine by the time i qualify i'll just have to go where the work is :-/ thanks for the comments, it's always appreciated :)

uc- hmm, good topic. no actual campaign but i think the people who are most at risk are still getting the jabs, mainly 'cos they're all in regular contact with health services. but it's an interesting point and without sounding too jaded i would argue that the current government is more interested about saving money than lives....also getting my coat ;)

Chris Richards said...

The economics of a sick society are a whole topic on there own. This government's decision not to promote flu jabs is very short sighted. The costs of looking after old people with pneumonia are horrendous.
An idea that I think should be pushed is improving the way that children think about themselves and their abilities. Too many believe that they are worthless and therefore will never achieve anything.
I am a big fan of Carol Dweck's theory on Mindset. Where changing the way that you praise good work improves the students future work.

kate said...

hi chris- just been reading your blog, some thought provoking topics on there. you're right about the economics of a sick society, it's particularly relevant with this government. they seem to be intent on ignoring the fact that socio-economic inequality is directly linked to poor health. talking of education though, there was a very interesting programme on the radio the other day relating to how the official numbers of school expulsions is quiet often fudged/forged. how can the issues for poor behaviour, attainment etc be dealt with if these numbers are being deliberately falsified?

Chris Richards said...

Kate.
Unfortunately, the government (This and the last) believe that if a school or hospital is performing badly in some measurement then they should be punished for not achieving.
This then leads to managers gaming the numbers. For instance it took over 6 months for me to see an ENT consultant but I wasn't put on the waiting list until I had been given the green light to book an appointment. Which took 7 months.

kate said...

chris- exactly, i couldn't agree more. then the people/services that really need the extra support lose out. i don't understand why it has to be this way!!!!