What I lost was not going to happen. I had what happened. There was no more. - Grief Without Fantasy by Ronna Bloom (Academy of American Poets, 2017) In my quest to further understand the interplay between medicine and literature, I came across a CBC article detailing medical humanities initiatives being undertaken at Toronto’s…Read more Poetry in medicine
Alternative Medicine in the Modern Medical Sphere
Complementary, holistic, integrative, traditional. Whatever your choice of appellation, alternative medicine has always played an important role in society. It’s use spans across natural health products such as herbal medicines, to traditional Chinese, ayurvedic, native North American medicines, to homeopathic preparations, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements. Even as the modern world has shifted…Read more Alternative Medicine in the Modern Medical Sphere
The Therapeutic Benefit of Visual Arts in Healthcare
Although diseases often manifest themselves in a physical form, their effect on an individual extends beyond the physical characteristics of the disease itself. In fact, diseases have a psychological impact that affects the way an individual may perceive themselves and their social relationships. Over the years, several hospitals have implemented art-based therapeutic programs or interventions…Read more The Therapeutic Benefit of Visual Arts in Healthcare
Cultural Influences on Death and Dying
Over the past decade I have come to recognize many strengths and weaknesses within my repertoire of being. In particular, my seemingly growing fascination and simultaneous fear regarding the topic of death and dying―a sole characteristic that has remained consistent throughout my varied and numerous periods of personal growth. It wasn’t until the death of…Read more Cultural Influences on Death and Dying
Religion in Healthcare: Bridge or Barrier?
It is no secret that the roots of modern healthcare lie within religious institutions, with many early hospitals being built by missionaries who believed God had bestowed them with the duty to serve the poor and the sick. From thereon, finding it easier to provide public funding for healthcare through these existing institutions, the government…Read more Religion in Healthcare: Bridge or Barrier?
The Dying and Disappearing Languages of Medicine
I have always been an enthusiast for language and the written word. In particular, a great admirer of the ways in which they paint and convey, with great resolution and intensity, the esoteric emotions and experiences of a people. It is through these driving interests, that I remain reminiscent of a singular noun: Eiliad, existing…Read more The Dying and Disappearing Languages of Medicine
Virtual Smoke Detectors: The Rising Role of AI in Suicide Prevention
It may sound like something out of an Orwellian dystopia, but this is today’s reality. Increasingly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to analyze your online activity to predict your future behavior and serve as an indicator of personal health. From looking at social media posts and calls, to measuring the time between taps and…Read more Virtual Smoke Detectors: The Rising Role of AI in Suicide Prevention
A Brief History of Women’s Pain
Somewhere between yesterday and today, I came across a single statement. Bolded and underlined, the phrase rang clear in the air. A revelation of sorts, finally acknowledging the experiences of modern-day women and their pain throughout the timeline of healthcare. The sentence read: study finds women experience chronic pain much longer than men. The study,…Read more A Brief History of Women’s Pain
‘Tis the Season: The Sidewalk View
It’s Black Friday and you are disproportionately happy with the sweater you found on sale. As you walk out of the mall, the chill envelops you and you shiver into your coat collar, wishing you could toss on the toasty sweater immediately. Then it’s onto the bus, and you pretend you don’t notice the…Read more ‘Tis the Season: The Sidewalk View
Dark Days of the Year
You wake up to a blanket of white covering the world outside. The tree branches hang low with the weight of snow, and freezing wind caresses you as intricate patterns of silvery ice fall from the sky. The white sequin ground looks breathtaking, beautiful. But don’t be fooled; this breathtaking beauty is also a prelude…Read more Dark Days of the Year
The Muse Magazine 