Medicine and Science from The BMJ

  In this festive edition of the BMJ podcast, we hear about what medicine can learn from music, when it comes to giving a convincing performance, and how we can grow an evidence base for nature prescribing.   Professors Roger Kneebone and Aaron William of the Centre for Performance Science raise the curtain on the performance of medicine, and we hear what your consultation technique could learn from a hairstylist.   Ruth Garside, Professor of Evidence Synthesis, Kerryn Husk, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Edward Chapman from the Health and Environment Public Engagement Group then discuss 'nature prescribing', and wonder about how to balance maintaining the joy derived from nature and yet create an evidence base for the medicinal benefits associated with it.   Reading list Medicine: a performing art Nature prescribing     00:13 Introduction to the BMJ Podcast 00:36 Exploring the Themes of the Christmas Edition 01:38 The Intersection of Medicine and Performance 02:33 The Art and Science of Performance in Medicine 05:04 The Role of Performance in Music 06:29 The Similarities Between Medicine and Music 08:06 The Role of Experiential Learning in Performance 14:11 The Impact of Audience on Performance 19:04 The Benefits of Nature and Green Prescribing 24:52 The Challenges of Measuring the Impact of Nature Prescribing 30:37 The Community's Engagement with Nature Prescribing 33:01 Conclusion and Farewell

Join Nana Twum-Danso, a senior VP at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Paul Dsane-Aidoo from UNICEF Ghana, and Keith Cloete of South Africa's health department in a riveting discussion on healthcare challenges in resource-constrained environments. They tackle the balance between clinical standards and patient-centered care, emphasizing oxytocin's role in postpartum care. Discover how data, community feedback, and a shift in mindset can empower healthcare delivery while addressing disparities and improving quality of care.

Exploring the importance of social connections for adolescent wellbeing, the podcast dives into the challenges faced by marginalized groups, gender disparities, and global advocacy efforts. It emphasizes the impact of digital platforms on friendships and mental health, showcasing the need for inclusive support systems to navigate the digital age.

This is the second episode of a special three-part podcast series that delves into adolescent health and wellbeing, focusing on creating a positive trajectory of health from a young age.   The podcast explores physical and mental health issues affecting young people globally, particularly in sexual and reproductive health. We hear how young people are excluded from decisions about their own health, and how grassroots groups around the world are empowering them to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.   We also hear how young people are becoming leaders in social movements, from tackling structural racism to improving nutrition in schools, and how their unique perspectives are vital in making those changes.   Our guests: Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma, Copper Rose Zambia Alaa Murabit, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Donald Bundy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Anshu Banerjee, World Health Organisation Dev Sharma, Bite Back 2030 Hosted by Adam Levy Supported by the Fondation Botnar and PMNCH, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health. Read the full cCollection of articles showing the importance of investing in adolescent wellbeing. 00:05 Introduction to adolescent health 01:00 Young womens’ menstrual health 02:11 Discussion on candid pride project 03:29 Importance of sexual and reproductive health 04:49 The role of young people in health advocacy 06:17 The epidemiology of early health and lifecourse 10:08 Impact of adolescent health on future generations 18:29 How young people become activists 28:51 Advocacy for women in Libya 28:54 Global forum for adolescents 40:15 Success stories  44:54 Conclusion and preview of next episode

Exploring the impact of education on adolescent health, the podcast discusses barriers to education and the role of informal learning. Guests highlight peer education, media, and meaningful engagement in education, emphasizing its impact on health and society. Challenges in access to education and the need for creating safe spaces for dialogue are also addressed.

In this episode, the guest, a UK researcher specializing in patient consent and data, discusses the complexities of obtaining patient consent in large data sets. They also explore the challenges of managing diabetes in conflict or disaster zones without refrigeration for insulin. The guest addresses the need for involving patients in decision-making about their data and highlights a cochrane review on the thermostability of insulin at room temperature.

Ashish Jha, former White House Covid-19 coordinator, discusses the need for a different approach to the winter 'flu season. Topics include living with COVID, future antivirals, vaccines, and surveillance. They also talk about long COVID, investment requirements, and the US role in global health response.

Barry Kramer, an expert in cancer screening, discusses the language and evidence surrounding cancer screening tests. The NHS's plan for a multicancer detection test is examined. The association between carbohydrate intake and long-term weight changes is explored, along with the limitations of self-reporting in determining dietary intake.

Organisational and student leaders explore the responsibilities of the British Medical Association and The BMJ to understand and respond to its colonial history. Our panel Kamran Abassi, editor in chief, The BMJ, London, UK Omolara Akinnawonu, Foundation year doctor, Essex, UK, and outgoing co-chair of the BMA medical students committee Latifa Patel, elected chair of the UK BMA's Representative Body and BMA EDI lead Host - Navjoyt Ladher, clinical editor for The BMJ  

Leaders from academic and funding organisations discuss the transformative change required to overcome extractive and inequitable research practices in global health, and the need for examining power and privilege within traditional research institutions. Our panel Samuel Oti, senior program specialist, International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada, and member of the Global Health Decolonization Movement in Africa (GHDM-Africa) Muneera Rasheed, clinical psychologist and behaviour scientist and former faculty, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan Liam Smeeth, professor of clinical epidemiology and director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK Angela Obasi, senior clinical lecturer, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK Seye Abimbola, editor of BMJ Global Health, and health systems researcher from Nigeria currently based at the University of Sydney, Australia Jocalyn Clark, international editor, The BMJ, London, UK Host - Navjoyt Ladher, clinical editor for The BMJ