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The View from Trent Peterborough Examiner, January 15, 2004, Contemporary medicine questioned - Thinking outside the health care box By Deborah Kennett People today want to play a more active role in their health care regimen and are questioning many aspects of contemporary medicine. Why, for instance, the limited increases in number of medical students emitted to universities given the massive shortage of doctors in many areas? To what extent is medicine big business, and predominantly influenced by pharmaceutical firms and the government? Why do some people spend thousands of dollars per year for treatments that they perceive are safer and more natural; shouldn't complimentary therapies and remedies be available to all Canadians regardless of income? And, shouldn't more government funding be given to support research in alternative medicine? To what extent are the heavy use of pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxic agents contaminating our environment and affecting human health? Do we give enough attention to citizens' psychological, emotional and spiritual heath? Are people in long-term facilities truly well cared for? Why the cuts to home care? Why are diseases such as cancer on the rise, and why is it anticipated that more than one in four Canadians in the future will develop some form of cancer during their life? These questions are just the tip off the iceberg and members of Trent University's Institute for Health Studies are addressing them in their courses and research. Across the university, approximately 20 programs and departments in addition to nursing and more than 50 faculty members are involved in teaching and research related to human health. The programs of study and research fall broadly into two categories health sciences and health social sciences/humanities. Two key goals of the Institute for Health Studies are to foster better communication to the general public of basic health research and its real-world applications and to facilitate the training of undergraduate and graduate students for careers in health-related The institute sponsors regular research colloquia in which faculty and students, as well as individuals from other institutions and agencies, present their research findings or focus discussion on particular issues. Our lectures have had a broad appeal, not only to Trent, but also to health-care workers and the general Peterborough community. In October Dr. David Healy, director of the Centre for Psychological Medicine at the North Wales College of Medicine, University of Wales, spoke on how the pharmaceutical industry shapes our perceptions and experiences of mental health and illness. He has written many books, including The Antidepressant Era, The Creation of Psychopharmacology, and Let Them Eat Prozac. Rebecca Martell, member of the National Advisory Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and member of the Waterhen First Nation, in early December gave a remarkable portrayal of her community development work and personal experience raising a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. In November, Dr. Garry Humphreys, Peterborough's medical officer of health, revealed some interesting ideas on how to manage the doctor shortage in Peterborough, as part of this year's Seminar Series Doctor's Perspectives. Also, as part of this seminar series, on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Native Studies Lounge, Otonabee College, Dr. Paul Jaconello will speak about Practicing Complementary Medicine in a Conventional Climate. Dr. Jaconello runs the Centre for Nutritional and Preventative Medicine in Toronto, and has had great success treating environmental and lifestyle related chronic illnesses from complimentary therapies. These lectures are free of charge and open to all members of the community as is the Second Annual Health Studies Day on Jan. 29. Finally, members of the Institute are working on establishing an undergraduate degree program in health studies. Building on the many existing programs and courses already being offered at Trent University we have begun to create a truly interdisciplinary program of studies that bring together the sciences, social science and humanities in new and innovative ways. The program's central mission is to provide students with the broadest understanding of human health and to equip them with a wide array of critical, technical and interpersonal skills necessary for them to succeed in a wide range of health care professions. I look forward to seeing members of the public at the upcoming events. A foremost aim of the Institute is to keep the community abreast of the health-related issues being pursued at Trent. Deborah J. Kennett is interim director of the Institute for Health Studies at Trent University. |
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