No free lunch

Little did I realise the impact of the economy crisis to the usual running of my Department. The Medical profession has always in one way or the other share a connection with the Pharmaceutical companies. In a certain way, they can be a player in Continuing Medical Education (CME) program amongst the Medical fraternity. Without their endowment, many of the Medical conference would cease to exist. Honestly speaking, they are essential to Medicine.

They take the gamble in Medical research. Even though the rake billions when the drug they develop became a hit, they also foot up the bull if they tank. It can be a huge gamble. The Medical profession can't afford that. They also invest a lot money in the clinical testing of the drugs, making sure that the theoretical therapeutic properties of the drug translate into day to day use. There was no point having a drug that work on paper but kill us the moment we swallow them.

I observed that since the turn of the year, the sponsorships from the Pharmaceuticals was slowly drying out. Yes, I got my usual share of diaries and wall calendars for the year, but the feeling was palpable. Take today for example, out Department CME went by without the presence if the Pharmaceuticals. That translated to no free lunch. It was not that I was desperate for them - the lunch was becoming generic lately anyhow - but it was nice to have lunch on the go while listening to some talks and presentation. As it turned out, we had to delay the session so that the MOs were able to catch some bite.

The Economy crisis has hit the Department. Upon looking at the bookings for CME sponsorship, we were usually booked up many months in advance. It turned out that there were bow few empty slots .......

Afternoon lunchtime lecture - Note to self, food + lecture = zzzzz

Kenneth Lee from Genzyme talking about use for ATG in transplant conditioning and aplastic anaemia.

Posted via email from Stamp up those photos!

H1N1 hitting UMMC

Prof Aw in his H1N1 Address, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

We have to face the fact that the pandemic is going on. No point hiding away or pretend that everything is hunky-dory. At the same time, there is no point going overboard on pandemic that has been on the horizon for some time. A couple of academic staffs and another couple of doctors are awaiting further tests, while another two patients are in ICU, presumed due to H1N1. It is a serious matter, but the panic surrounding the whole situation may prove to be just as if not more dangerous.

Yesterday, one of UM alumnus, Prof Aw Tar-ching gave a talk on the steps taken in UAE where he is working now. It was clear, in a country that depends on tourist traffic, a panic will hurt the economy hard. He outlined that the most important thing we have to do now is to have a consistent and accurate portal for information dissemination. What is happening now is more of sporadic, knee-jerk like statements from the powers that be on this policy and that. It will just create confusion. Or even worst, it in itself may give the public a sense that the government is also panicking behind the scene.

Remember, consistent and accurate information .... I think that is what we need .......

Lesson from Singapore

Morning Talk by Prof Ho from Singapore NUS, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

We wouldn't like to admit it, but there are things we could learn from our Southern neighbour. And we are not just talking about how to make a sitcom here.

This morning, the Faculty received a visit from a Professor from NUS in Singapore. He basically told us the story of how the healthcare system in Singapore been undergoing a major revamp since the turn of the millenium. And it all started from a realisation of something very obvious.

First, Doctors were leaving for Private practice in droves and that needed stopping. Second, the only real advancement can only be made if backed by R&D. In short, there are investment needed to be made into the health system, and it is not to build the biggest hospital with no specialist, or to purchase a CT machine to be hidden in a basement. The money should be channeled directly at the target. Increase the Faculty members pay packet, spend the money for research opportunity for these Faculty members and spend the money on proper human resource development, not on just some 'modal insan' mambo jumbo.

It all started with a simple questionnaire distributed to all doctors at one of the main hospital, asking what they detest most about their job and what it the main reason why they are still at it. The main reason why they want to leave is 1) the pay is a lot better outside, 2) limited career prospect for advancement. The next thing they do was realign the services, and change the hospital demography of the island down into 4 'district' hospital and 2 University Hospitals, the '4 plus 2' plan.

At the hospital, to promote career development, the Faculty Members were introduced into 4 career tracks, ranging from pure Clinicians to mainly Researchers. The promotion criteria will be aligned to each career tracks and everyone knows exactly what is required of them. At least what it sounded on paper. In en updated survey, they seems to be looking at early success. The staff retention rate looked good and their research output is also on the rise. The feedback from the Medical Students and patients also seems better than before, but Prof Ho himself felt that it is too early to paint any conclusions.

I find the talk fascinating and Prof Ho has plenty of insight to offer us. Realistically however, with a more intellectual population (and politicians) and smaller, and more compact geography, these major rethinking is much easier to implement in Singapore. The fact that the Minister of Health also tended to be medical doctors does help! The fact that they realised that something was wrong in the first place, quickly proposed a solution and implemented it is something that I admire. If only we can have similar strive for a goal, any goals, than there is hope for my beloved 1Malaysia.

United 2 - Inter 0

Woke up early to catch the last 10 minutes of the Champions League matches. United was cruising away, while Arsenal were preparing themselves for the extra time at Roma. Vidic and Ronaldo scored that night. Arsenal went on to win the penalty shoot-out and might play United after the draw on the 20th. Spend the morning perfecting the CRF for the Febrile Neutropenia studies while sorting out other issues, amongst them setting out tinyurl for my future links.

Grand rounds and Day Care followed suit. The afternoon CME today was prepared by Dr Iqbal. He spend 30 minutes talking about Multiple Myeloma. The talk was preceded by a overview of Imipenem by MSD, who also provided some nice Turkish salad for my lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon going through some Myeloma cases that might be published in a local pharmaceutical bulletin, followed by a short case session with the final year medical students, who are anxious with their upcoming Final MBBS in two weeks.

Currently stuck in the office waiting for the rain to stop, before going home to the kids and Anita. Had a handful of papers to mark later. 

Update on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:24PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Finally reached home at around 8. Completed the alteration for the CRF on Filemaker Pro. Have to catch some rest as I will be on call tomorrow. Might be able to complete all the paperwork in time for the weekend. Spent some time updating Idlan's page - link posted on the right!