As people become far more informed about their health needs and how their bodies work, they may aspire to a natural approach towards good health and beauty. However, natural beauty may sometimes need the help of alternative and cosmetic treatments, which allows a person to enhance their appearance.

Medical tourism involves travelling to popular destinations for treatment, combined with a relaxing holiday. Treatment centres abroad focus on personalised and holistic care, designed specifically for each individual.

Aspiring medical students would do well to be aware of medical tourism, which may raise the popularity of certain medical treatments. Aspects of medical tourism they should consider include:

• Social media for information-sharing about medical treatments.
• Alternative, natural treatments.
• Cosmetic treatments for natural aesthetics.
• Medical tourism for natural treatment and relaxing recovery.
• Personalised and holistic approaches to patient care.

More people than ever are networking on social sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and medical practitioners at almost any private clinic can discuss health issues online (including pro’s and con’s of treatments like weight loss surgery and lipoplasty etc) to provide people with information and encourage them to visit their practice for treatment.

Overweight and obesity in healthcare

Social media and health programmes can create awareness of the rising number of illness related to overweight and obese conditions. Popular medical treatments, which include cosmetic procedures, aim to address overweight and obesity problems. Mental health, habits and lifestyle choices are all identified as contributors to weight gain and so medical and cosmetic treatments are tailored to each individual, to address each individual problem.

Vaser Liposuction for reduced weight and self-esteem

Vaser Lipo is a popular weight related treatment, which enables patients to have excess weight removed from a particular body part. Gentler than other liposuction treatments, Vaser liposuction uses vibrations to break up the fat within the skin, before suctioning it out.

Medical students should know about the most popular medical treatments and invest in the needs and requirements of their patients. Following the popularity trends of medical treatments will give you a competitive advantage and ensures your services are not out-of-date!

Either one, you need to know that all surgeries carry risks even though surgeons may be fully trained and experienced. A patient may have a medical condition that isn’t evident, or they may have a predisposition to a condition that isn’t obvious. Risks are the probability that harm may occur and medical doctors are usually trained to manage and reduce such likelihood through controls, such as health and safety procedures and infection control. One in 2000 people undergoing gastric band surgery are at risk of death. This may be true of other surgeries too. Risk is not the same as complications.

A complication is usually a setback that arises during or from surgery because of an underlying factor, which is discussed on www.gastricbands.co.uk, that hadn’t been foreseen or patient choice – not to follow medical advice. Patients need to know potential complications that may arise from gastric band surgery.

Complications of gastric band surgery

Complications as a result of gastric band surgery may arise during or after surgery, such as bleeding and infection. The patient may have an existing infection that revealed no symptoms. After surgery, a patient may experience vomiting that can cause the gastric band to slip. Not correcting this slippage can spur further complications, such as gastroesophageal reflux.

Other complications may arise due to the quality of the band or the manner in which the band is fitted, such as erosion or leakage within the stomach. We’ve recently seen press coverage originating from France about inferior silicone used in breast implants where surgeons used the product in good faith. The same applies to gastric bands as a product.

A patient’s body may respond sensitively to the gastric band and reject it, resulting in an enlarged stomach pouch or blocked stoma. A patient not following post gastric band surgery advice, such as overeating, may also cause complications.

Childcare Act of 2006

In the UK, the Childcare Act of 2006 came into being during July 2006, placing a duty on all Local Authorities to improve the wellbeing and safeguard young children. The Act therefore applies to all those working within the Childcare sector and those who care for children in any capacity.

The Act applies to the UK government’s broader initiative of “Every Child Matters” to enhance services and outcomes, such as childcare, pre-school provision for children, and parental guidance / information services. Every Child Matters promotes working together to safeguard children.

Safeguarding Children

The term “safeguarding” of children, extends far further than addressing harm or abuse of children to include prevention and also promotion of development. Part of the definition includes any agency in the UK working with children must minimise any risk of harm to a child through controlled measures, all agencies also have to follow local authority policies and procedures for action and addressing concerns related to children in care. These measures not only protect children, but also enable organisations and individuals to secure their reputations. Childcare legal checks are therefore a valuable means for organisations and childcarers to promote confidence in their services

Childcare Legal Checks

Agencies and individuals who provide childcare can register with the UK Charity Commission as a means of meeting the legal requirements to operate within a childcare setting. These legal checks include:

(a) Qualifications in the policies and procedures which they have in place for keeping children safe

(b) Other training such as in first aid

(c) Disclosure of Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) – enhanced CRB

(d) Public liability insurance where necessary

Where proof of qualifications, a CRB check and suitable references may have sufficed to meet legal checks for working in childcare, the Independent Safeguarding Authority is now more involved in determining suitability of those working with vulnerable groups, including children. Ofsted, through their registers, carry out legal checks on childcare providers.

Voluntary Registration on Ofsted’s General Childcare Register (vGCR)

Certain childcare professionals are required to register with Ofsted as previously discussed; however other individuals working in childcare can do so voluntarily. The benefit of this registration is that childcare workers gain basic childcare training skills, an enhanced CRB check that proves their suitability to work with children, public liability insurance, and further training in first aid and working with children who have special needs. Parents can also use the register as a means of verifying that a person is suitable to care for their child because they have met childcare legal checks.

www.aurora-clinics.co.uk Mr Richards of Aurora clinics shows how to repair split a split earlobe. The earlobe in this case had a wide opening following serial dilation over the years.
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What does the job involve?

Many people assume that the midwife’s role is simply to help deliver babies, but this is not the case. Midwifery involves caring for the mother, the father and the baby both before and after the baby is born. Midwives are an important source of support, information and advice for expectant parents and also play an extremely important role after the baby is born.

Pregnant women are put in touch with a midwife when their pregnancy is confirmed. They will see a midwife at various points during their pregnancy and the midwife will help to answer any questions, monitor their general health and wellbeing, ease worries and concerns and be a general source of support for the mother. Often, expectant parents are anxious and nervous about the arrival of their baby, especially if it is their first child and they may have lots of questions and queries. The midwife can help to reassure them and give them advice about parenting, labour and birth.

During labour, midwives can literally play a vital role – they will be there throughout the birth to reassure the parents, administer pain relief, encourage the mother with her breathing, talk her through the different stages of labour and eventually deliver the baby. If there are complications, the midwife may call for additional help from an obstetrician.

After the baby has been born, the midwife will continue to care for the mother and baby. Usually the midwife visits the mother at home a couple of times to check the health of both the mother and baby and offer advice and support during the first ten days. When the midwife is happy that the mother and baby are both well and the parents are coping well, they will stop visiting the mother and a health visitor will take over this duty.

What qualities does a midwife need?

Being a midwife may seem to be a lovely job on the surface. Many people have a rose-tinted image of neonatal nursing careers but being a midwife is very physically and emotionally draining and there are challenges which you will have to confront on a daily basis; sometimes, there are complications and you will have to act fast, under pressure. As with all jobs in medicine, there is not always a happy ending and you will be required to offer emotional support and counselling for parents who have lost a baby or have a baby that is very ill.

Midwives work long hours and are required to work night shifts, evening shifts, weekends and bank holidays.

In order to be a midwife it is important to be understanding, patient, compassionate and sympathetic. You will also need good communication and social skills and you should have an understanding of practical and cultural matters related to childbirth.

How do you become a midwife?

In order to become a midwife you must complete a midwifery course. Many higher education institutions offer midwifery courses and they have different entry requirements, so it is important to check with the individual organisation. The courses combine academic study with practical training and students will complete practical placements in clinical settings in addition to written assessments, practical assessments and exams.

When is sterilisation required?

Sterilisation is used in a variety of different clinical settings, including hospitals, dental surgeries and community health centres, as well as at home and in outlets or places providing food.

Why is sterilisation important?

Sterilisation for babies

Sterilisation is very important for babies because their immune systems are underdeveloped and they are consequently prone to developing illnesses and infections. Sterilising babies’ bottles and other equipment helps to reduce the risk of them developing infections such as thrush and gastroenteritis. In the past, when parents did not use sterilisers, gastroenteritis was the cause of hundreds of deaths amongst babies. Some experts say that sterilising is particularly important for babies that have been bottle-fed because they are not taking in colostrums from the mother’s breast milk; colostrums helps the baby’s immune system to become stronger.

Sterilisation in the medical industry

Sterilisation is very important in the medical industry. Without sterilisation, infections would fly around and thousands of lives would be lost. Sterilisation helps to prevent the development and spread of infection, as well as protecting members of staff working in clinical settings and members of the public.

Sterile services departments work in hospitals and other clinical settings to sterilise medical equipment in order to prevent infection.

Methods of sterilisation

There are various methods which are used b y sterile services departments, which include:

• Chemicals: chemicals, including phenol, alcohols, chloroform, aldehydes, halides, dyes and quarternary ammonium compounds.
• Heating: heating can sterilise certain things, for example, food can be reheated to a certain temperature to kill any bacteria or germs. Devices known as autoclaves are often used to sterilise dental and medical equipment; an autoclave sterilises equipment by subjecting it to high pressure steam.
• Radiation
• Boiling
• Sterile filtration: this is a method of removing bacteria which may be used when other methods are not suitable.

Famous women in the history of medicine include:

Hygeia

Hygeia was the ancient Greek goddess of health. Her stature as a goddess helped to spread the message of hygiene, cleanliness and healthy living.

Trotula

Trotula was a woman who lived in Salerno, Southern Italy, in the 11^th Century and a chair of medicine at the nearby School of Salerno. It is believed that the first medical school was established at the School of Salerno and women were able to train as physicians and professors of medicine.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson is one of the most famous women doctors of all time; she played an instrumental role in encouraging the acceptance of female professionals in the world of medicine, which was dominated by males at the time. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson followed the example of Elizabeth Blackwell, an American doctor who worked in the 1800’s. Garrett Anderson met Blackwell at the age of 24 and was inspired to train as a nurse. After completing her training, she applied to train as a doctor but was rejected by organisations in England. She subsequently went to study in France and graduated from the University of Paris in 1870. After graduating, she returned to London and set up her own practice. In 1874, she opened the London School of Medicine for Women and in 1876 parliament passed an act, which allowed women to enter all fields of the medical profession.

Sophia Jex-Blake

Sophia Jex-Blake was a contemporary of Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson and worked alongside her to open the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in 1887 and campaign for women to be allowed to study medicine at British universities. Jex-Blake qualified as a doctor in 1877 and went on to open a medical practice in London and a clinic for women who were living in poverty.

In the past, women were not allowed to train as doctors and the medical field was dominated by men; women were only allowed to train as nurses and midwives. The first woman doctor to qualify was Dr Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson, who went to study in Paris because she was rejected by British universities. Garret-Anderson graduated from the University of Paris and subsequently set up her own medical practice in London; shortly after, she opened the London School of Medicine for Women and went onto open another medical school for women in Edinburgh. In 1876, an act was finally passed, which allowed women to study medicine.

Women who wanted to study medicine received a great deal of objection from men in the profession and general attitude in society towards women doctors was very negative. Many people campaigned against the decision to allow females to become doctors and women doctors were treated unfavourably in hospitals and clinics.

Female doctors in modern society

Over the last 100 years, the number of women pursuing a career as a doctor has increased enormously and there are now more female medical students than male students. Gender issues have largely subsided and women are now considered equals in the field of medicine. Many women pursue very successful careers in a variety of different medical specialities and many go on to reach very senior positions.

Infection control in clinical settings

Infection control is vital in clinical settings. All members of staff are highly trained in preventing the development and spread of infection and there are specialist nurses, doctors and environmental health advisors who work together to ensure hospitals and other clinical settings are as safe as possible.

All members of staff who work in clinical settings follow strict regulations surrounding the cleaning of wards and public spaces, hand hygiene, the sterilisation of equipment and instruments, wearing personal protective equipment and disposing of waste in specific ways.

Patients and visitors are also asked to adopt habits that help to prevent the spread of infection. Visitors are asked to wash their hands and use alcohol rub before and after they leave a ward, refrain from sitting on patient’s beds and avoid visiting when they are ill or have an infection. Patients are asked to keep the tops of their bedside tables clear.

Sterile services departments also exist in clinical settings – these departments are responsible for sterilising reusable equipment and devices.

Infection control in food outlets

Infection control is important in any area where food is prepared or consumed. Surfaces and floors must be wiped and disinfected, appropriate chopping boards must be used during the preparation of food (these are colour coded according to the different kinds of food), everyone must wash their hands before they prepare food and eat food. There are also strict regulations relating to the preservation and storage of food.

Infection control at home

Infection control at home is important because infections can spread very quickly when people live in close proximity. In order to prevent infections, there are simple steps you can take:

• Wash your hands regularly and always wash them after you go to the toilet and before you prepare food
• Keep your house clean: hoover, dust and wipe surfaces in the house on a regular basis
• Keep an eye on personal hygiene: wash every day, clean your teeth twice a day, wash your hands regularly and change your clothes on a regular basis
• Wash clothing, bedding and towels on a regular basis
• Disinfect the bathroom and kitchen, as these areas are prone to attracting  bacteria and germs

What is the current situation in the UK?

Recently, baby care charity, Bliss, claimed that there was a severe shortage of those in neonatal nursing jobs in the United Kingdom and this was posing a risk to newborn babies. Research carried out by Bliss found that there was a shortage of 1,150 nurses, which was contributing to increased risks for newborn babies, as staff were under so much pressure and resources were stretched. The charity claims that nurses who care for around 70,000 sick and premature babies across the UK each year are being pushed to their limits due to the shortage of neonatal nurses working in specialist units. Research shows that three quarters of neonatal units in the UK had to turn away newborn babies last year and four in five units were working above their occupancy.

Why is there a shortage of neonatal nurses in the UK?

It is believed that around 10 percent of posts in neonatal nursing are vacant and this, coupled with the increase in the number of newborn babies requiring specialist care, has lead to increasingly stretched resources and increased pressure for neonatal units. Research has shown that there has been an increase in the number of babies requiring specialist care; in 2006, 62,000 babies were admitted to neonatal units and 1,500 were admitted to intensive care. Experts have attributed to the increase in admissions to an increase in the number of women aged over 40 giving birth, an increase in the number of obese women giving birth and an increase in the number of mothers from ethnic minorities giving birth to children (this is associated with mothers not going to antenatal classes or receiving antenatal care during their pregnancy).

What are the implications of a shortage of neonatal nurses?

The shortage of neonatal nurses in the UK means that many specialist neonatal units are stretched beyond their means and there are not enough staff to care for the amount of babies that need specialist care. Members of staff working in specialist units are under extreme pressure and often carry out additional work to make up for the fact that there is nobody else free to do it. Figures show that many neonatal units are oversubscribed, as the number of babies requiring specialist care has increased in recent years. Health experts have warned that the shortage of neonatal nurses could increase the risk of mistakes and prevent some babies from receiving the specialist care they need.