Venus and Mars etc.

There are number of interesting articles in this week's NewScientist relating to all kinds of prejudice.

The first, smaller article is based around stereotypes. To cut the very detailed search down to an easy to digest tidbit, researchers simulated a situation were test subjects were left out of a three person game. The subjects had their brain scanned and were questioned afterwards. The group consisted of 12 white males and 13 black males, mostly college students. The two other people playing within the computer simulation were shown as white. The results were markedly different. The white gents involved in the study generally thought the exclusion was for some personal reason, which activated certain bits in their brains. The black gents generally attributed the exclusion to racism and this conclusion activated different, lesser parts of the brain, leading the researchers to speculate that it is less painful, therefore 'easier', to take rejection or negativity if one attributes it to a generalisation than if one thinks it is individual and personal. Interesting concept, and a lovely link up of sociology and brain scans, I thought.

There is also an extensive feature on the unexplored difference between genders on a biological level. The article aims to bring to bear the idea that men and women might actually, neurologically be wired very differently. Reception of pain is explored at length using the anatomy of the male and female brains to illustrate how different sections appear to be activated in each gender. This could explain why men and women are effected by analgesia in different ways, which is fascinating in itself. The article brings up another more important point, which revolves around how rats involved in pain tests are almost certainly male. Given women feel pain much more harshly, this seems to be a huge dropped ball by scientists in related fields and could, tentatively, be linked into the idea that females come second in healthcare, generally. The fact that they could be being treated by analgesia which somewhere in it's phases of testing was biased towards the opposite gender is, in the words of one researched, 'scandalous'.

Lots of things to think over, though.

I wasn't having a good few days recently. My 'good' ear, i.e. the one which is seldom infected, has started to give me the distinct impression that there is some kind of mucus build up inside (lovely...). Another infection, perhaps, but at least it lacks pain. On top of that, lectures aside I've had very little going on. Just staring at these four walls, which makes me a very dull boy.

I'm a big advocate of actually going out, getting the blood pumping and being active when you start to feel glum. So I went out on my bike into town, bough aforementioned copy of NewScientist and did a bit of window shopping with limited retail therapy. The object of my affection was a new, expensive trumpet book, which is all about learning through jazz. Oh yes. I then cashed in a Nero loyalty card - which pissed off the shop guy and made me feel even more gleeful - and got caffienated. I listened to music, drummed my fingers and generally indulged my science geek side and have felt much better ever since, especially considering how moody I was this morning.

My ear is still quite annoying, though. And against my better judgement (I disagree with over prescription of antibiotics within the NHS, especially when I'm not in any pain per se) I might go to the walk-in tomorrow. Joy of joys.

But yeah, funny day. I feel better for kick starting a good mood within myself. My fun weekend has been cancelled, however, so I might be stuck between these four walls for another weekend. If I'm lucky, I might be able to take in some of the current Jazz festival which would just keep these good vibes going. I might even be able to groove this glugging right out of my ear!

Stay tuned.

Lectures

The title of this post may be lectures, but sometimes I wonder whether most of my fellow nursing students agree with the term. The amount of whispering, gossiping and eating that goes on puts me under the impression they think it's some kind of hybrid of a sewing circle or picnic. And a drop-in sewing-picnic at that, given most can barely be bothered to arrive on time. Now, don't get me wrong, there can be lots of reasons for accidental lateness, but if you're late day in and day out you should sort out your fucking scheduling.

I shouldn't gripe. These people have less knowledge than me, unless they can listen, eat, learn and talk at the same time. And their poor time management means I'm more likely to get work ahead of them. Still, it is highly irritating.

News

News Stories have always interested me. Stories relating to nursing and sexism, or - ye goddes! - both even more so.

This story caught my eye today, the byline of which reads:

Male nurse 'abused' 23 patients

This got me to thinking whether this was a common theme within the BBC. I have previously illustrated my annoyance with female soldiers being singled out and how this surely sets back the course of equality in several senses. So I went trawling through achieves to see how this has been dealt with by the BBC in the past.

These links all illustrate the BBC's previous lack of byline discrimination. The byline contains the description 'Nurse' and doesn't specify gender.

So why the seemingly sudden change? It's curious. I know the man from the first article is quite the funny looking arse-hat, but the byline itself surprised me, especially since it's not a practice the BBC have previously seemed to engage in. Oh well.

Diary Summaries Year One

As part of my 'get-my-fucking-act-together-and-organise' routine, whilst waiting for a pointless biology lecture I can not get away with skipping over I've completed my diary summaries for the first year. Read and enjoy: or not, as they're quite dull. I'm really only pasting them here as an online back-up.

Diary Summary: Semester One

My first placement saw me based on a neurorehabilitation ward. Being rehabilitation based, the ward saw the same patients for long periods of time. The placement gave me extensive experience of the workings of an MDT, most of whom were attached permanently to the ward. This gave me valuable insights into the roles of the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Psychologist and Social Worker. I attended two MDT meetings and became aware of the evidence based practice and clinical governance that would be used within them.

From a nursing point of view, the placement gave me solid experience of essential cares, especially to bedbound patients. The nature of the ward meant I developed my skills in building up relationships with patients on a day-to-day basis. These two basic skill sets would be vital for my further placements. I was also taught more advanced skills, like Neurological Observations and how to effectively tally a Glasgow Coma Scale, skills that would also prove useful in later placements.

Due to the nature of the injuries and conditions of the ward's patients, I was able to complete several sections of my Exposures booklets on this placement. I passed my communication OCSE. I gained an insight into the often complicated area of acquired brain injury, too.

Diary Summary: Semester Two

My second placement saw me based within a surgical ward specialising in gastroenterology. This seemed an ideal second placement as, unlike the former ward, patient turnover was generally quick. Unlike the previous ward, the was less input from a MDT and more input from the nursing team.

From a nursing point of view, the placement encouraged the development of skills relating and communicating with patients who I would only meet for short periods of time. This was a valuable experience that taught me the value of different ways and methods of communication, and posed quite the challenge. From a clinical point of view, there were more things to witness and start to learn: the removal of surgical slips, chest drains and catheters, for example. It was on this ward that I experienced my first patient death. And I worked my first three nights of my training.

Like the previous ward, this placement allowed me to complete more of my first year paperwork, including my Administration of Medicines booklet. I attended special sessions on new techniques and equipment used in NG feeding and special sessions on gastric banding and bypassing for bariatric patients. Otherwise, my time on the ward developed my knowledge of the GI tract and it''s role and function in daily life.

Diary Summary: Semester Three

My final first year placement saw me on a acute medical ward. The balance of MDT and nursing input was more equal in this environment, and there was a mix of long term and short stay patients.

From a nursing point of view, there were further opportunities to learn more about essential care. Given the ward received predominantly cardiac patients, they often needed help mobilising or washing. There was less to do and learn from a clinical point of view compared to previous placements, although I did receive more practice in preparing and administering IV solutions. These would often be diuretic solutions, therefore I also learnt quite a lot about the action and results of these.

I finished up my paperwork for the first year. The context of the ward helped me develop my understanding of the heart, it's A&P and the impact heart conditions have and will have on the growing, ageing British population.

Back to reality

Paperwork has hit me like a steam train. I forgot just how much stuff was due to be printed, completed and triple signed by the end of term.

I have quite a varied palette of talents, but ultra-organisation is not really one of them. But to keep up with the quick pace and massive amounts of paperwork, I've bought a hole punch and lots of folders to sort things through. And I am quite stubbornly determined to not fold (no paper pun intended) but to keep this up. It's not enough to be good, you have to strive to be even better.

Other than that, I miss my last ward. Just the general concept of working is easily missed. I miss working with people. But it's still fun and useful to get out in the real world and meet real, non-sick people. Reminds you what it's all about, in a sense.

In other news, I went back to my hometown for a sibling wedding. I have... family issues, to say the least. So it was not the most comfortable weekend I've ever spent, but it had it's up points. Some old mates, outside of marital affairs, reminded me of why I like them and why I like being me. That certainly made the trip worthwhile.

Male Rights Activists

Male Rights Activists (MRAs) are a group of people who, surprisingly, campaign for male rights. Shockingly, you may or may not think, I am not one. I've been doing a bit of reading about the entire subject which is, admittedly, quite interesting if a bit on the biased side.

Well, I don't count myself as a MRA, anyway, which is the most important point, isn't it?

I think any large scale movement is doomed to failure. It all too easily gets wrapped up in paperwork, rhetoric and dogma. Large scale movements are seldom local, and therefore fail to cater for specific problems faced by individuals. Too much navel gazing for my liking.

I'm my own person. As originally stated when setting up this blog, I'm interested in the trials to be faced as a young, attractive and confident man training to be a nurse in 2007. Obviously, this will encompass gender issues, and I wouldn't have it any other way, but this doesn't automatically make me want to fly the MRA banner. I'm my own person, with my own individual issues, and - sharing them on here and with my nearest and dearest aside - that's how they'll stay, really. The idea of male rights VS. female rights sounds far too much like a Good/Evil VS. Good/Evil prize fight for my liking anyway.

The R Word

Another month, another government initiative regarding rape (Committed against women, obviously, since men can't be rape victims).

Rape is a quite singular, abhorrent crime. But it is a difficult one, something I have spoke of before and will no doubt speak of again. Despite some pop cultural themes, rape seldom occurs in dark alleys or wind-swept parks. A woman is more likely to be raped by someone she knows, a partner, ex-partner or 'friend' or some kind.

That said, there is a link between the accused and victim. This link can cloud cases and make them difficult to follow, and make prosecution even harder. A hypothetical case could go something like this, and forgive the simplicity for the moment: Jill accuses Jack of rape. Jack denies any rape occurred. Police investigate the surrounding case, interview people etc. and it turns out Jack and Jill were in a relationship at the time. Relationships are pretty private, so it is Jill's word set against Jack's.

I feel for Inspector Knacker, at this point. Rape is not a clear cut crime, like theft or assault, for example. If Jill accused Jack of stealing some material goods, and he denied such theft, the police finding such goods in Jack's house would count as evidence. There is no such clear cut evidence for rape. If Jack and Jill were in a relationship at the time, much vaunted DNA evidence is pretty moot. Although bruising and other injuries could count as something more of a smoking gun (bruising on the wrists, for example, insinuating some sort of forced holding/restraint), some of these injuries are not clear cut proof, either. Vaginal tearing, for example, can occur during consensual sex, too.

This paints a grim picture of any possible rape prosecution. I support the idea of placing more emphasis on solving cases of rape, and specialist squads are not a terrible idea. Some organisations blame Inspector Knacker for not taking rape seriously. These squads/teams could help reinstall a little faith in the system, and encourage more rape victims to come forward. But I can't help feel this is yet another policy in a long list of ideas which are never fully funded, followed up and backed up. Which is a damned shame.

Edit: Mark Easton makes some great points here, including statistics. He ends on the idea that policing alone can't change conviction rates and even attitudes towards rape, and I couldn't agree with him more. Considering rape within marriage was only made into a crime recently, the country - not just Inspector Knacker - should be ashamed of itself.

Edit ii: Interestingly enough, Mark Easton points out that rape is counted as:

"the penetration of the vagina or anus without consent and penetration of the mouth by a penis without consent."

Why rape against males still doesn't exist in a legal concept, I have no idea in that respect.