OrthoDoc

Before I entered medical college I was in love with physics. I was introduced to the intricacies of the physical world by my teacher and guru Mr SNP. The man was quite different from others and he made physics very interesting. In my exams I even scored more in physics than in biology. However medicine came up in between and we had to part ways. When I ended up specialising in Orthopaedics I couldn’t thank God more! I never intended to be mending bones but then as fate would have it, it was back to physics.

I was interacting with wikibookians over an issue when I chanced upon Jean-Pierre Petit in a note made by Xavier in Wikibooks. JPP was from France, and is a scientist by profession. I think the word maverick would describe him nicely. He is into physics and has written several books on various topics. He has been in some controversy over some contentious issues. Read about them in wikipedia.The more interesting bit is that many of the books he has authored are actually comics!! The french have always been famous for their comics. Tintin and Asterix have always been on the top of my list. So why not have science comics? JPP has elaborated on several such topics through the eyes of a character, Archie. On a pesonal level, since my interest in Physics is not academic but only personal, this unconventional method of learning made for some out-of-the-ordinary reading. I have not gone through all of them but the ones that I read were indeed interesting. Suddenly lot of physics was becoming clear to me.

Several of these comics have been around in the market for many years now. But recently his contract with his publishers expired and he decided it was time to do something with them. He put them up in a server for all the rest of us to download. Since they were in french they needed some translation to do. Most of the comics are translated into several languages.
The English PDF versions have been done by John Murphy and are available for download at another site, savoir-sans-frontieres or knowledge without borders. They are available to everyone completely free of cost. If anyone is intersted in translating the comics they are most welcome to contact him. His id is provided at the site. The textless versions are also available for download.

This raises two issues to my mind.

1. There is a lot of activity in the non-english speaking communities that we are never exposed to. And because pictures make words redundant comics are one of the best means of exchanging ideas among two language distinct communities. I strongly believe that we need to open more channels of exchange in order for us to progress ahead
2. Secondly it is intersting to note how the web has enabled JPP to reach out to a more wider audience than he has had until now. The community has literally done all of the translation. The web has done something that his publishers could not do all these years. Cost of production has become irrelevant in this medium. Money is no longer a barrier to the spread of knowledge and this excites me a lot.

Of late there have been several endeavours to achieve dissemination of knowledge free of cost, Wikibooks being the most notable among them. However, I do not know how many of these will sustain long enough to produce products worthy of mentioning. Only time will tell!

Tags: Science Comics, Jean-Pierre Petit, Savoir-sans-frontiers

"Sir, I want to talk with you! Where are you?" There was a sense of urgency in his voice

"What is it Tom? I am here at the OP. What happened?"

"Nothing sir. I want to meet you."

He was there in a minute. He looked tired. In the OR, he was a restless creature full of energy. Anytime I looked at him he was rushing to some place or busy at work. As a scrub nurse he was ready with the scalpel. But he was a little too quick for anybody’s comfort. I had noticed his unsteady and shaky hands at times, but he managed to mask them well with his agility and quickness. It was evident that at the moment he had been busy the whole day. He was not his usual self, though. The smile was not there for one thing and then his restlessness.

"Sir, I need your help. I don’t know how to say it."

"What is it? Go ahead and tell me." The impatience was becoming evident.

"I need money, sir." Then there was a pause. "They are suddenly asking for money. All these days it was fine …and now last moment. You know, I am leaving to Gulf. My visa is ready. It came in yesterday, so I am leaving. They are not paying …they are cutting." It all came out in a rush.

"The hospital is not paying you last month’s stipend?" It took me a while to understand.

 Most, almost all of the nurses, are working for the hospital under a contract. They get to work in the hospital, earn a stipend, stay in a hostel free of cost, have subsidized food. In turn they are educated in nursing. They have all completed their required courses but are still not competent. So they often, for practical on-the-spot exposure, work for less at some big hospital like ours. In return at completion of the two years of bonded work they are released with a certificate stating their work experience. Most of the nurses manage to get certificates of recommendations form the senior consultants with whom they worked. They also spend quite a bit on English courses. Then they apply to work in hospitals abroad. The most preferred places are USA, UK and the middle east countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and so on.

"I completed my two year bond many months ago. I was applying here and there. I was not sure. Suddenly I got call. Visa is ready. I went to Delhi to collect it. I have to go there. Now the personnel dept. wants money." The words became less distinct. He stood crestfallen. "They are not giving my completion certificate." When he looked up to see my response, I could see tears in his eyes.

"How much money are they asking for, Tom?" I couldn’t take it anymore. "Don’t cry, Tom."

"Sir, all the hard work I did. I worked overtime so many times. I did so many duties. But last moment…." He broke off. "I don’t like asking for money like this. Its very difficult. I thought I could ask only ask Dr Pathak , he is not in his room. Then I thought about you. Please don’t think anything, sir" He was pleading hard.

"Tom!" I was searching for words to say myself. "The world is not fair at all times. Sometimes, we learn the hard way. probably they wanted a month’s notice. But they could have considered your past work. Does the Nursing Supdt. know about this?"

"But she won’t do anything. She said you settle with personnel dept."

"So you need 4000. I don’t have so much in my purse. I have to check in the bank. Come we will go and check in the ATM."

"Sorry sir! I don’t like doing this at all."

"Come on, Tom. Stop sobbing like this." I patted him on his back.

I managed to get 2000 from the ATM. I explained my inability to get the rest. Lets see if I can get it from Sandy or Rajesh. So I left him downstairs and hurried to the Men’s room to see if I could get some more. I knew they would be reluctant. I was wondering if I should put it to them as if I required the money. I decided to tell them the truth.

"Sandy, are you free? I need to ask you something."

"What?" His brows furrowed deep and he shook his head querying.

"Well …Tom is in a spot. You know he’s leaving for Saudi. He’s quitting. He needs money. They are not giving him the completion certificate unless he pays them a fine for leaving without notice. I was wondering if you could spare some money."

"I don’t have money on me, buddy. "He relaxed immediately. "But I will give you a word of advice. By the way how much is he asking you for?"

"4000. I managed some for him but not all of it." I deliberately hid the amount I had managed form the ATM. "I thought I will ask you and Rajesh for something. Can you…"

"I will tell you something. These people cannot be trusted." His tone was grave. "If you are giving him money then don’t expect it back. He will fly away for ever and never return. If at all you want to give him some money, give him a small amount and forget about it. I mean, explain to him nicely!"

"How much can you give?" I was livid and I wanted to be direct. But I didn’t show it. I didn’t come here for advice. I didn’t come to ask whether I should or not. I was in the mood for arguing, but then, Tom was waiting. I decided to give up.

"I don’t have any money on me, boss."

So that’s it. I scrambled down to meet Tom. I wondered if he had managed to find more.

"Sir, I met Dr Pathak. He returned. I explained my situation to him. He asked me to wait here. He said he will get the money for me. So I can return your 2000. I am happy sir. Thanks a lot." He returned my money.

"Ok Tom!" I took the money back. A small pause. I fished out a 500 and thrust it into his pocket. "Here Tom,. keep this. Buy  a new pair of shoes or a pair of trousers."

" No sir. I don’t want it." He was beaming. He had his problem solved. "Sir I won’t forget what you did for me. Give me your number."

That was about two months ago. There was a call yesterday from Tom. He was in Dubai. He was back to his same restless self eager to go to work. It was tough work but he said he was enjoying. We talked for  a while and then he hung up. I felt a warm feeling come over me.

Trust! I could not help feeling right about having trusted Tom.

Tags: Trust, orthodoc

Took a while for me to understand what’s going on. I don’t know if its going to let me feel better after I do this. But what the heck? …I can give it a try.

I was tagged by Scanman in his post A literary tag.

One book that changed my life?

Years ago when I was a student of Science, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes taught me that Science does not have the answers to everything in life. This book changed my perception of medical science. In India it is available online only at Firstandsecond.

One book I have read more than once?

Without any doubt the entire Sherlock Holmes collection by Arthur Conan Doyle. The fact that the great detective was based on Dr Joseph Bell, made it more attractive to me. I would never tire of reading any Sherlock Holmes mystery.

One book I would want on a desert island?

Can’t think of any!

One book that made me laugh?

I remember the Asterix comics. They were outrightly hilarious. As a child I loved the fisticuffs and the cool way Obelisk bashed up the Romans. When I grew up to understand the funny names and the hidden puns, it made for even better reading. Hey I think I could do with Asterix and Tintin to keep me company on a lonely island!

One book that made me cry?

I think Tuesdays with Morrie was very warm and moving.

One book that I wish had been written?

Rang De Basanti was a hit Hindi movie in 2006. I thought the idea of interspersing the revolutionaries of our freedom struggle with the 6 young people from today’s fun-crazy youth was very interesting. It would have made a great book.

One book I wish had never been written?

Personally I think everyone has and should have the freedom to write and express himself. I really can’t come up with one but maybe …if I think hard!

One book I am currently reading?

Maximum City by Suketu Mehta. Bombay is one city I have never visited but have always admired from a distance. I could not appreciate the author’s style of writing but the book gives an interesting account of events among the vast people of this magnificient city.

One book I have been meaning to read?

Surely You’re Joking by Richard Feynman. Ever since my Physics teacher mentioned it in his class some 15 years ago, I have been wanting to read it. I have come across the book several times in bookstores but have never mustered the courage to pick it up! I wonder why??

Whom to tag now?

1. Dr Vishaal Bhat in Medical Ramblings has caught my eye for quite some time now.
2. I seem to like the name manduka (The Frog)
3. I have been visiting Just a little something by Anita Bora at times.
4. A poet’s home in A Walk in the clouds by Megha
5. Interfer-on, a friend of mine who has gone missing after his marriage. Hope to draw him out to post more at his blog Islets of Longer Horns.

Ok fellas now its your turn.

Tags: Books, Tagging

Another excellent website for students is Edheads.

In the home page this is what they have to say

Edheads brings you high quality, free educational activities for your classroom.

At the moment they have four different activities listed. Among them, two of them concerned replacement surgeries. For a freshman in Orthopaedic Surgery the two virtual surgeries will help understand hip and knee replacement surgery better. The major steps are displayed. There are also accompanying real surgery photos available. Personally, I am not sure they will make sense to young school students, though those with a special interest in medicine may find them interesting.

From a patient point of view the flash movies may help someone to understand what exactly goes into replacement surgery. However some of the questions make it apparent that the movies are intended for the student community.

The movie quality is excellent! The voiceover and the subtitles make it easy to understand. The steps are remarkably accurate. It seems to me that the site came up last year, however they have managed only four activities until now. Hope the site lasts for a long time and comes up with more educational videos.

Tags: Educational Movies, Virtual Surgery, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement

This site was right under my nose all the time. I was aware of PubMed and had been regularly using it to search for journal articles when researching on any particular topic. Unfortunately I was able to access only the abstracts and not the articles. Nevertheless it was a one-stop place for searching for articles. PubMed is one of the several databases maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

But PubMed Central beats them all. I became aware of its existence only recently. Initially I thought I had been blind. But when a friend and a colleague claimed ignorance, I knew we may not have been the only ones!

PubMed Central is a digital archive of life sciences journal literature at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), developed and managed by NIH’s National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in the National Library of Medicine (NLM). With PubMed Central, NLM is taking the lead in preserving and maintaining unrestricted access to the electronic literature, just as it has done for decades with the printed biomedical literature.

It is not a journal publisher. NLM believes that giving all users free and unrestricted access to the material in PubMed Central is the best way to ensure the durability and utility of the archive as technology changes over time.

In addition to Highwire Press, here is another important source of articles for Orthopods. In simple words PubMed central maintains a database of all articles that are available free of cost (free access).

Tags: Pubmed, pubmed central, Free access