Language is important in all walks of life and has changed hugely over the years becauseof how humans communicate.In this episode I look at its importance and its role in health and medicine, nuances in language and how we can try to work out what someone means from what they say.You can cross reference to my episode on Consultations which overlaps with this nicely and covers the way in which we communicate.Links: Rita Charon's work on narrative medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1949238/John Launer’s 7 C’s: https://www.gp-training.net/communication-skills/communication-skills-theory/narrative-based-medicine/Interesting paper on language, culture and medicine: https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=fmch_articlesPragmatics in language: https://all-about-linguistics.group.shef.ac.uk/branches-of-linguistics/pragmatics/what-is-pragmatics/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about perspective. How can we improve our ability to look at other’s points of view andwhy is it so important?Can we avoid conflict by being mindful about language and behaviours?Protected characteristics: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/equality-act/protected-characteristicsTaking perspective:https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-power-personal-narrative/201906/the-power-perspective-takingPerceptual positions: https://www.brilliantminds.co.uk/video-perceptual-positions/The age of the individual?: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/16/the-age-of-the-individual-must-end-tom-oliver-the-self-delusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know what wellbeing means - or do we? What does it really mean and how do we acknowledge and make it a priority at work and in ourlives?One of my friends triggered this episode having been unsure how to acknowledge and accommodate wellbeing at work.In this episode we look at the determinants of wellbeing and how to take practical steps to improve yours.Links: World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitutionVarious wellbeing wheels: rb.gy/pxbmfqWhat Works Wellbeing: https://whatworkswellbeing.org/resources/wellbeing-evidence-at-the-heart-of-policy/Educating Ruby by Claxton and Lucas: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Educating-Ruby-Children-Really-Learn/dp/1845909542Wellbeing stories (for children): https://www.wellbeingstories.com/AI driven mental health app for which I am medical adviser: https://www.leafyard.com/actnow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’ll be looking at medical myths. It’s a fascinating area which most of us will be able to relate to.How many times have you found yourself saying we only use 10% of our brainsor that you should feed a cold and starve a fever? I’d love to hear your experiences of this via Insta, Twitter, LinkedIn or FB.Here are some links based on the show for more info:Do we only use 10% of our brains? https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20121112-do-we-only-use-10-of-our-brainsIs crossing your legs bad for you? https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20151013-is-crossing-your-legs-bad-for-youGreying hair: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210622154339.htmFeed a cold, starve a fever? https://www.healthline.com/health/feed-a-cold-starve-a-feverHealth Freaks 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEGH4hfxMfUGarlic and libido (a study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24844765/An apple a day keeps the doctor away: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2210883 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is about medical diagnosis. It’s a tricky business and as patients we want to make sure the diagnosis is as accurate as possible withoutsomething being missed or the opposite - the risk of overtreatment.I look at the role of screening and talk through some of the challenges we face as both patients and clinicians.Links:Improving diagnosis: https://www.improvediagnosis.org/stories/  (USA based)Screening and ethics which govern it in the NHS: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screening/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screening“Too much medicine”: https://www.bmj.com/too-much-medicineOverdiagnosis: https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k2820Ivan Illich and his Medical Nemesis: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/jrcpe_46_2_omahony_0.pdfAchenbach syndrome (just FYI): https://casereports.bmj.com/content/13/9/e238156Medically unexplained symptoms: https://bjgp.org/content/67/656/106Bill Turnbull documentary: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/bill-turnbull-staying-alive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Impostor syndrome affects up to 70% of people and I see it so often that I wanted to look at what it is, where it came from and what we can do about it.It’s a fascinating phenomenon which once uncovered can lead to self-exploration and changing our thoughts.Links: The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-26502-001Latest large scale review study on Impostor syndrome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174434/Dr Valerie Young: https://impostorsyndrome.com/An article I wrote many years ago: "Failures can be the pillars of success”: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC261763/CBT techniques which may help: https://www.healthline.com/health/cognitive-restructuring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medical errors are common and need to be minimised. They are the 3rd commonest cause of death in the USA.In this episode I look at why these errors happen and what we can do to prevent them.Links:Patient safety (WHO): https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safetySurgical safety checklist (WHO): https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/patient-safety/research/safe-surgery/tool-and-resourcesMartin Bromiley’s charity looking at human factors: https://chfg.org/chfg-history/ PIP implant update: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57179180Consent: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/PALS (NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/HealthWatch: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-we-do Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about grief and bereavement. It is different for everyone but I share my own experience of it here.Links:The Kubler-Ross stages of grief: https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-griefTransgenerational grief: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/blog/2018/01/transgenerational-griefTheories on grief: https://griefjourney.co.uk/startjourney/for-professionals-and-caregivers/articles-for-professionals-and-caregivers/theories-of-grief/General bereavement support: cruse.org.uk Support for grieving children: https://www.winstonswish.org/Support for grieving parents: https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/family-life/bereavement-support/bereaved-parent-support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What exactly is resilience? Is it more than being able to recover from adversity or stresses?It’s a term that has annoyed me in the past so I wanted to get under it’s belly and explore where it came from beyond flexibility and adaptability in thinking orhandling stressful situations.The work of Emmy Werner fascinates me and I try to draw out her key findings.Summary article by Dr Werner: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/1054139X92901577Dr Werner’s longitudinal study: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1111%2Fj.1939-0025.1989.tb01636.xResilience in healthcare: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e031765Mayo Clinic tips on resilence: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/resilience-training/in-depth/resilience/art-20046311 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’ll be talking about Lifestyle Prescriptions, covering what they are and how you can make a start on generating them for yourself starting with The Symptom Web® - a really simple concept which I devised and continue to teach on Prescribing Lifestyle MedicinePrescribing Lifestyle Medicine: https://www.practiceunbound.org.uk/product/prescribinglifestylemedicine/homeGut flora and antibiotics: https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/probiotics-after-antibiotics/Caffeine and migraines: https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/caffeine-migraine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about consultations, their history, evolution and how to get the most out of them with your health care practitioners.Dr Michael Balint: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1464079/Dr Milton Erickson: https://www.erickson-foundation.org/ Continuity of care: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/6/e021161 The Patient Revolution: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q8YTYTG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1Consulting models for GPs: https://www.gponline.com/consultation-models-practice/article/988629Person centred care and social prescribing: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/our-programmes/about-person-centred-care.aspx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking all about invisible illnesses, in particular long covid and the explosion in the need for mental health support.Here are some links that might be of interest:Mental health information: mind.org.ukZOE: https://covid.joinzoe.com/Long Covid: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng188A ‘pacing’ resource: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/24053.pdfHigh blood pressure: https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension#overviewRolling with resistance - https://sbirt.publichealthcloud.com/resources/images/MI%20Strategy%20-%20Roll%20with%20Resistance%20-%20Updated.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to episode one of Saving Lives In Slow Motion.Today I'll be talking about behaviour change, whether it's giving up smoking, exercising more or just spending less time on your phone - making a change can be difficult.I share the real reasons people change their behaviours and how you can too.Show notes: Here are some links that might be on interest.  BJ Fogg’s simple but effective method on behaviour change: https://tinyhabits.com/start-tiny/Experts, including myself, talking about behaviour change during the pandemic: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000mzm7 Neuroplasticity - how the brain changes as your behaviours change: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886For more from me click here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Ayan Panja shares his perspective on the most important themes which impact our health & wellbeing and ponders on what we can do to improve our own health journeys. Bite-sized enriching episodes with an informal laid back tone which to make you sit back, think and create change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.