A Picture Paints A Thousand Words - Part 2

This is on the bus A21 to our stop, the 6th, Mongkok. Even on the way to downtown Kowloon, we're already exhausting our cameras. Little did we know we'd have problems recharging. They have weird sockets. (By weird, I mean different from what we're used to here. And who can blame us? We are consumed by our excitement!)

Know what these tall buildings are? Residential buildings, probably housing thousands of apartments. You know a place is really heavily populated when they have buildings like these. (The most that can fit in my camera. That's not including the other buildings along the sides, and those that are still in the construction works. Do the math!)

I don't know what they call this bridge, it's definitely a long one. We got this picture while we were on the bus A21 from the airport to Mongkok. (I think we passed this way on our way back, from Mongkok to the Airport)

"Itadakimasu!" My first time to eat roast duck. (Honto ni oishii desu!). Good thing I practiced using chopsticks when I was younger. I knew it would come in handy someday.

The busy streets of Hong Kong. I've been to many places but not this densely populated, so I was amazed that their pedestrian crossing actually encompasses the entire intersection. And the people are kind-of psychic--they can tell that the lights are changing to green about 5 seconds before it actually did. (Hmm, there's a red sun by the horizon unfortunately my cam wasn't able to capture it unless zoomed in)

"wala pa gihapon ni sink in?"

It's exactly 4 weeks now since I've set foot on foreign soil for the first time in HongKong, and still, there's that feeling of surrealness about it. Despite the hard-rock evidences of being there, our own memories also serve to concretize the experience. Now as I recall those memories, I'm really filled with a longing to be there once again with my bestfriends. It's bittersweet...even recalling the bloopers almost brings tears from my eyes. Almost? Well, I was laughing as if it just happened yesterday, so it could probably be due to "tears of laughter" as well.

For most of the times we were there, we kept saying to each other "wala pa gihapon ni sink-in nga naa na ta diri". Maybe it's because time went by so fast, we hardly had time to breathe in the fact that the six of us finally got together after more than 6 years. For me, the reason is really simple. WE WERE TOGETHER. It's as if time and place becomes irrelevant and we become immersed in our own little world. Here's a tribute to this amazing friendship.

then...and now

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Aboard Cebu Pacific Airlines
Destination: Hong Kong International Airport







Touchdown: We have arrived!
(ni sink in na? niabot na lagi ta Hong Kong!)

Alaine, the reason we were late for our scheduled 8:00 to 8:30 meeting in the airport was not the Immigration
(sure, it took us about 15 minutes in line)





but the many "pix stops" along the way for picture taking!
I guess any airport would look the same but still, this is HK!






Look at the Chinese characters and everything. You don't find anything like that in the Phils. We actually arrived 15 minutes ahead of our scheduled 7:40
but spent around 35 minutes posing here and there)

Our meeting place:
Burger King, right side of Arrival A, 5th floor, Hong Kong Airport
(first HKD expense: HK$ 34 for breakfast)






We're finally complete!
After a hearty breakfast at Burger King, we finally stepped out of the airport.





But first, another "pix stop"
at a uniquely designed trunk
of an ornamental plant.
Go Laine!

To be continued.......

First Grand Laag

It starts with a dream, a wishful thinking, a sense of adventure, and before you know it, everything start to unravel itself. Who would have thought that a vague idea of traveling abroad hatched among us friends would actually come true nine months later? I don't know with my friends but for me, I was really pervently hoping that we could pursue this dream for a number of reasons.

First of all, I need to have a sense of fulfillment, afterall, this would be my second last vacation before being confined to my responsibilities. Yes, I would like to count my chickens before they hatch by saying that come April 1, 2009, I would already be starting my duties as a medical clerk in the hospital. Unfortunately, this is not an april fool's joke. I have already resigned myself to round-the-clock medical environment, meaning, that by then, I would be giving up all activities, hobbies, socializations totally unrelated to medicine. Unlike now, I can still step out of this path every friday night and saturday where I would not study or do my assignments even if I have to cram overtime on sunday. This is my principle, and helps me get through the week's stress. So, knowing that for the next year, I would be confined to the hospital, I decided to have my fun ahead, even if it means I have to do it alone, because I know my friends are somewhat pessimistic with the idea. They don't really trust us to be able to achieve this goal.

Second, I know I have enough savings for this trip. What's the purpose of all those times I had been such a miser? Maybe I'm just really a "wise-spender" or not really interested in shopping, or unable to find anything interesting to buy but the fact remains that I had been relatively thrifty with my allowance in the past year. What's the use if I'm not going to spend it in anything worthwhile? Afterall, it's just money. I won't be able to bring it in the afterlife. And there's really no better time to do this than now.

So, I muster up my energy to convince my friends to really see this through. This is my only opportunity before my realities of being a doctor sets in. I kept reminding them to buy tickets and finding accommodations in the internet. I have set my mind to this. I can't bear the heartache if this trip didn't push through.

I know that God is really good. Despite the obstacles (primarily the lack of finances, then Esmot's mom hospitalized, then getting off from work) finally, we were able to have a clear shot of this once-upon-a-time dream of ours. On October 22, Mitzi, Loren and I flew to Manila and met with Joy Myrn there. At around 12 AM October 23, Alaine arrived at the HongKong Airport from Japan. By 5:40 AM on that same day, the four of us in the Philippines (me, Mitzi, Loren plus Joy) stepped on the plane that would take us to Hong Kong in two hours. By 9:40 AM, Esmot, after 14 hours in the air, coming from California finally arrived in Hong Kong.

And that's how, after 6 years, the six of us were finally reunited whole, in a foreign soil, and had the time of our lives....so far.

PS. This is only the beginning of what could be a tradition in the making.

Here's to friendship!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

In the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, 4 high school friends found a pair of pants which was a perfect fit for each of them. They take turns in wearing it, finding out that something good has happened for them, seeming like it has brought them good luck. After such, they would mail the pants to the next friend, hence the "traveling pants".

Inasmuch as I'd like to think of my own bestfriends from high school as a "sisterhood" and "traveling" -- for our love for travel (we just had our 1st Grand Laag in Hongkong), we don't actually have a pair of pants that could possibly fit all six of us perfectly. It would have been nice to at least have the said pants fit all six of us, though not a perfect fit, but I doubt any pants of mine could ever fit Alaine or Khrismaeh (no offense guys). Although, on the other side of the story, all of their pants would definitely fit me, just with varying shades of looseness...right?

note: If you're stuck with epidemiology class, you'll find out that there's always something "blogworthy" to write about. Loren, Khrismaeh, Alaine, Me, Mitzi and Joy Myrn at Chep Lap Kok Airport aka Hongkong International Airport.

This one's catchy

Yup! i love the whole world, it's one big crazy place!



and someday hope to travel it =)

*boom de yada, boom de yada*

Better Late Than Never

These books above are Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series (from the first book Twilight). This was actually released on 2005 but I was only introduced to this series last April when my cousin Sarah gave me her first 2 books (in paperback) because she's buying the newly-released hard-bound copy of Twilight (1), New Moon (2) and Eclipse(3). The fourth book, Breaking Dawn only came out last August 2, 2008. Lucky for me! I can't believe I almost missed out on this series coz they're a great read. So, a million thanks to Sarah!



Hey, watch out for the movie adaptation of Twilight starring Kristen Stewart (The Messengers) as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson(Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) as Edward Cullen. Release date used to be December 12, 2008 but due to the postponement of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Twilight can now be watched earlier, replacing HBP's spot on November 21, 2008.

CRAP!

If you noticed, at the left-hand corner of this page is a countdown to the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. More than a week ago, this showed about "100 more days to go". However, now it read more than 300. Yup, that's right, it's definitely delayed and nope, this is no mere technical error. Warner Bros. has issued a statement in this regard saying that after about 4 weeks of thorough thinking, they have concluded that it is best to opt for a summer release of HBP to maximize the profitable market of a summer movie. Apparently, they were inspired by the success in the box-office of The Dark Knight which was released last July, and hoped for the same response next year.

Like I said, it's all CRAP! In my opinion, no matter when a Potter film is released, it would still "haul in the green" due to the enormous fanbase it's got eventhough most would be muttering under their breath the inadequacy of the films to capture the essence of the book, which is actually not possible: 700+ pages in 2 hours?Still, fans would line up to see the film, period! So what's the big deal delaying the film? Oh right, coz money is more important than the fans' anticipation to see the movie. Never mind the fact that it's the fans that they're profitting from! *rolls eyes*

Oh well, no matter the bashing, there's nothing we can say or do anything about it but to wait! *collective sigh around the world*See you at the cinemas July 2009!

Jdorama Addict ^_^

I first became acqauinted with Japanese dramas with Gokusen and shall I say, I was mostly smitten with their brand of comedy. And all those good-looking guys helped with catching my eye of course! :D There were touching moments too, when I've shed a tear or two, but I was really caught with the hilarity of it. I guess at that time, after the Korean wave hit us, I was a little tired with all the tragic endings of their drama that I was curious to find out what the Japanese series would be made of. I love their anime shows and I heard some Jdoramas are actually live versions of these animes, or manga. So that also caught my preliminary attention. And like I've said, I've been interested in them eversince. However, I've only watch these shows when shown on TV, and I haven't really rigorously scoured the DVD pirates for copies of other series, so basically, I've only seen a few. That doesn't sound addictive at all. However, I would still like to think of it as such because given the time, I'd like to watch it over and over again(that's mostly Gokusen...I also watched season 2 and GTO) . Only now that I have familiarize myself with forums and meeting other addicts like me that I realize there's so much more Jdoramas that I haven't seen. But I've only just revisited the forums last summer when researching for Hana Kimi (if you haven't seen it, i highly recommend this to you and you must know there is actually a Taiwan version. They say they're the original, but just because they made the live version first doesn't mean they're the original. It's still based on a Japanese manga so the Japanese version is more genuine). After all my hype for Hana Kimi, I decided to follow some forumers' recommendations for series to watch. So, since last summer, I've done with Gokusen 3 and started with Zettai Kareshi. And I also started with Yukan Club because it has such good reviews in the forums. I must say, it's also good, if you like that kind of stuff. Ha! It's hilarious! Mostly I watch shows with guys of my fancy, but it's just so difficult because there are so many(difficult to handle, I think my heart can barely take it hehehe). Right now, I'm into video-streaming but it's annoying how slow it loads (I'm actually writing about it now to while the time away. I'm really gonna find some dvds on this). But it's worth it, especially seeing my crushes. It's given me a natural high and are good stress-relievers. So, try watching one today! :D

Avatar Finale

Well, for all those Avatar fans, I'm sure you've already seen the latest (and the last, might I add)episode, having been released a little over a week ago. As for me, with all the bothers of school, I had to restrain myself for over a week since getting a hold of the copy from my classmate. I've only just finish it actually and I have to say that it had a great ending. It tied a lot of loose ends, although there really wasn't much...it was mostly the anticipation of seeing Aang finally meet up with Fire Lord Ozai. And really, their final face-off (their first too) was just amazing. Just what you would expect from two powerful individuals fighting for supremacy over the world. The Fire Lord's skill, of course, was just off the hook, especially during the battle when it was enhanced by Sozin's Comet. And even with Aang mastering all four elements, he was a shade better than him. Of course, we must take into consideration that Aang had to learn and master the other three elements in just so short a time, and even with Zuko always on his tail trying to capture him half the time. Only when Aang went into the Avatar State did he really reveal how much powerful he is, and had become in just less than a year. The then-Fire Lord-now-Phoenix King doesn't stand a chance ("Didn't mean to offend you, oh Phoenix King-of-getting-his-butt-whopped". Haha, nice one Toph).

But getting on, since Ozai was defeated, it follows that it was really the end of the series. I thought it was just the finale of book 3, but it really is the end. And like all endings, it's left me emotionally spent. Being exhilarated with excitement and anticipation in the beginning, going on a whirlwind of emotions with all the thrill in the final battle, happiness in the end that peace and harmony was restored and all those cute and romantic reunions after the battle, and depression seeing the credits roll by. Whew, as Ron would put it, no one feels all that emotions together at one time or they'll explode. I'm pretty sure I'm about to. An hour past and all I know is that there wouldn't be anything to look forward to now in Nickelodeon...well, maybe I'd watch it again when they show it. I still can't believe there wouldn't be any Avatar episodes anymore. I thought at least that it's going to be 4 books, one for each element. It's Deathly Hallows all over again.

April Frenzy

Before the school year ended last March, I've been anticipating the start of summer and planning so many things to do and places to go. The reason? It's because this is going to be the "last free summer" of my life. I may be over reacting but it's true. Imagine that since I started going to school 2 decades ago, every April and May means no schoolwork, no studying for exams, maybe a little bit more of house chores, and a lot more time for TV, books, movies, beach, shopping and places to travel. And let's not forget that it is also at this time of the year that my alarm clocks get to rest. :D

So what now? Well, after this summer, when another school year starts, I'll be in the 3rd year of medical school and after that, the 4th year would start almost right after the 3rd one....almost immediately, like April 1. So, depending on what date this school year would finish, I would at least have a week of vacation, 2 at the most, before starting junior internship of medical school. Yeah, right....like I would really enjoy that 1 week of school break. And so, that starts my year-round of hospital duties, and once you're in, there's no going out...unless you drop out altogether.

But I have resigned myself to this job no matter how much I may whine about it. The truth is, it wasn't only last March that I have anticipated the summer vacation. In fact, I've been planning since June of last year. And of all the plans that I have initially laid out, only one didn't played out. My trip to Bicol with fellow classmates for some wakeboarding fun. I was a bit depressed. I've been saving up for this. It wasn't even my idea in the first place but Aileen's. We've been recruiting our other classmates to join us and as of February, we were 4. I was almost willing even when there's only the two of us but alas, Aileen bailed out on me on the second week of April due to financial reasons.

And so hopefully, before we graduate, we can finally put that plan to reality. I was so looking forward to try wakeboarding.

And for my other summer travels so far (summer ain't over yet)....well, that's for my future entries!

about time...

Well, it's been more than 2 weeks since the last day of classes (18 days to be exact), but this is only the time that I've chosen to update my blog. It's not that I was busy, nor unable to get hold of the pc and the internet. It's just that I haven't really given this much of a priority in my to-do list this summer.

So what's even the point of this entry?

At first, I thought of explaining why in the world did I choose this title for my blog...but then, that would be too simple. I love anime shows (though I haven't got much time to watch it anymore) and I've been told many times that I'm some kind of an animated person (Sheena once told me after meeting my mother "now I know where you got it from")...okaaayyyy.

And before I could get hold of another topic, here comes Paulo inviting me to a game of word racer (a game (singular) which would actually stretch to many) and then before I knew it, more than an hour has past, and now I'm too sleepy to continue my train of thought (crashed more like). So, there goes my latest update

Happy April Fools'

euthanasia

1. A doctor, a radiologist, had a terrible skin cancer. Parts of his body had been removed because of his cancer. He was blind and in pain. More surgery and more pain awaited the patient. This doctor asked his brother to kill him. One day, his brother got drunk, went to his room and shot him.
a) What type of euthanasia was this?
b) Would you have done the same?
c) Do you approve of the means employed?
d) Evaluate the above situation in light of ethical theories.

In the above situation, the euthanasia employed was an active voluntary euthanasia because it was the patient's desire to be killed. Given the situation, with the patient suffering as he is and I'm his brother, I would like to be kind enough to him and free him from his suffering. However, I don't approve of the means employed by the brother. If I had been in his shoes, I would have employed a subtler way of ending my brother's pain and suffering. It does not necessarily mean ending his life because maybe there would be a strong enough pain reliever that could be given to him. Since the patient is also a doctor, then he would also know of the possible medications that could be given to him to relieve his pain which, however, could also compromise his respiratory function and thereby slimming his chances of survival. Knowing that he also wishes to die, if he approves of these pain relievers, then I would then give my consent and let him be allowed to die. In the light of ethical theories, what I would have wanted for the patient may be considered a double effect principle because my primary concern is to alleviate the pain and in doing so, compromise the respiratory function of the patient. Situation ethics is also applicable because for me, I think the situation really warrants this kind of action on the patient since he is in so much pain already that it would really be better to die than to continue on living. I also believe that it is best to die happy so in terms of Rawl's ethical principle of justice, to serve the individual's happiness would mean to alleviate the patient's suffering, even if it means ending his life. To continue his life full of suffering and unhappiness would be unjust to him.

2. Jane Adkins had Alzheimer's disease and did not want to go through the disease. She went to Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who is in favor of euthanasia. This doctor gave euthanasia with lethal injections but the patient herself pushes the button to start the procedure.
a) What type of euthanasia is used?
b) Would you have made the same decision?

This type of euthanasia is an active type of euthanasia which is self induced, because the patient herself wanted the euthanasia and even when the patient was assisted by a doctor who provided the lethal injections, the patient herself pushed the button that would start the euthanizing process, thus ending her life. No, I won't make the same decision as Jane Adkins had because not going through the disease of Alzheimer's is like giving up without even standing up to fight. Going to this doctor who was nicknamed "Doctor of Death" is like squirming your way out of life's problems. As a doctor, it would be so hard to make a decision of terminating the life of your patients, even if they themselves want it. As Dr. Kevorkian has said in his defense, he is not a doctor of death but a "liberator of the patient's suffering". I guess it all depends of the situation, and how severe the suffering of the patients are, and whether ending their life seems to be the best option. I'm more or less a follower of situation ethics because every decision really depends upon the given case. Each decision should be made on a case-to-case basis and not fixed. In this patient, I'm not in favor of giving her euthanasia because there are better options to cope with this disease rather than ending her life.

Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)

The Spice Girls were the biggest girl band of the mid-90s, around the time I was a mere preteen going to the early teens. Whoever have not heard this name in one way or another must have come from a whole different universe. Really! They were the biggest group of popstars that everybody adores. Their music was the anthem and their dance moves were imitated in every school program I could remember back then. But after 2 explosive albums and even a movie, they disbanded. Sad but true. I think it was around 1998 that fans went in mourning the world throughout because Geri Halliwell a.k.a Ginger Spice left the group and made out for a solo career. The remaining four, Mel C (Sporty Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Mel B (Scary Spice) and Victoria Adams-Beckham (Posh Spice) continued on with the group, although each carried on with their own solo careers later on. Music videos from both camps showed the severance from each other....who could forget Geri's video "Look at me" with a depiction of Ginger's death? And the quartet's "Goodbye" and "Let love lead the way" could only mean sending off Geri with their love.

Fast forward to nine years later, mid 2007, headlines blared that the Spice Girls are reuniting and going on a world wide tour. I could just cry. I guess my blog entry's several months late in keeping with the hot topic but hey, I always didn't have the luxury of time to blog and think of great topics to post. But I few hours ago I saw on TV their first public performance before kicking off their tour, and that was when they performed at the Victoria's Secret fashion show. I almost cried. Call me whatever but it's really like meeting an old friend whom you haven't seen in years. It's good that their back. And I guess their new song tells it all--friendship never really does end!

assignment # 9

Differentiate state paternalism from personal paternalism.

State Paternalism refers to certain actions of the state or government in which they act in a "fatherly" manner towards the citizens even without consent or even to the unwillingness of the citizen. In line with this are paternalistic legistation that are made for the benefit of the people, for their own good and even to protect them against themselves. These include the following: riding a motorcycle without a helmet, gambling, homosexual sodomy, prostitution, polygamy, making and selling pornography, selling and using marijuana, practicing certain professions without a license (law, medicine, education, massage, hair-styling), purchasing blood or organs, suicide, assisting suicide, swimming at a beach without a lifeguard, refusing to participate in a mandatory insurance or pension plan. Paternalism protects people from themselves, as if their safety were more important than their liberty. (ref: http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/writing/paternal.htm)
Soft Paternalism is a political philosophy that believes that the state can “help you make the choices you would make for yourself".

Personal Paternalism refers to your own paternalistic actions over your loved ones, like a father-figure to your younger siblings and making important decisions in behalf of them, especially if they are still underaged.

assignment # 8

What is paternalism? Why is the physician given the authority to practice paternalism? What are the situations wherein paternalism supercedes autonomy?

Paternalism refers usually to an attitude or a policy stemming from the hierarchic pattern of a family based on patriarchy, that is, there is a figurehead (the father, pater in Latin) that makes decisions on behalf of others (the "children") for their own good, even if this is contrary to their wishes. (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternalism)

The physician is given the authority to practice paternalism based on the fact that the physician really knows more about the human body and its illnesses (though not all) than the ordinary patient (as opposed to other doctors who might become your own patient). Hence, the physician can make decisions in terms of treatment modalities for the patient, though the patient can actually refuse any intervention if it violates his/her own beliefs and principles. Bottomline, the physician can make the decision for the patient for the patient's own good, especially if to save his/her life. This holds true for certain situations wherein paternalism supercedes autonomy like emergencies or minor patients whose parents or guardian are unavailable to decide, or even those who are mentally incapable of making their own decisions (ex. retarded, comatosed patients with no relatives, ignorant patients). In these cases, the physician is permitted to make decisions for them, like a father who knows better for the good of his children.

assignment # 7

Truth telling and confidentiality

Telling the truth to your patient wholly depends on whether you trust your patient to be able to handle the truth especially if his/her condition lies on the extreme end of the spectrum. While telling the truth is always preferential to lies or even half-truths, we should also take into account the condition of the patient, on whether knowing the truth is beneficial or harmful to his/her overall condition. Sometimes, we overlook the inner strength of the patient by concealing the truth in order to "spare" him/her of unnecessary pain, worry or anxiety. Still, it's all in the delivery of the information. Soften the blow, so to speak, so as not to create more tension and ill-feelings. However, if you think that the mental condition of the patient is very fragile and could hardly handle knowing the truth, as supported by their family, then supplying only half-truths to the patient may be acceptable but still, the whole truth should be given to the family members or preferentially to the elder of the family or the financial supporter.

Confidentiality, on the other hand means disclosing classified information only to those authorized to have access. This would mean that unless a person is the legal guardian of the said patient, he/she cannot access the patient's records unless with a signed consent. This holds true to any members of the family. Other doctors not part of the treatment team or hospital staff are also not permitted to obtain information about a patient record. However, if a patient information is such that it can be harmful to the general public, then in the physician's better judgment it should be disclosed but only to appropriate authorities only. Otherwise, any breech of confidentiality in the part of the physician, or other unauthorized persons should be lawfully dealt with.

ref: http://www.providence.org/everett/Patient_Resources/HIPAA.htm

assignment # 6

You have a patient whose religious belief does not allow blood transfusion. In your medical opinion the patient will die if he or she is not given a blood transfusion. What will you do?

The question is not so much as what will you do but will you do it? Afterall, as the physician, you can actually "have your way" in order to save the patient. But the patient's decision should be placed above my own because it is afterall his life in question. And also, it is stipulated in the patients' bill of rights that they can refuse medical treatment. However, the patient should be duly informed of the consequences of his decision. This is not to say that I am "washing the responsibility off my hands" but I would let the patient sign a waiver stating his refusal of the treatment and the knowledge of possible outcomes of his actions to avoid any legal implications of neglect as most malpractice suits are made of. It pains me to have a patient in my care die but if it is his decision to refuse the only life-saving intervention available, then his life is out of my hands.

assignment # 5

What is a placebo drug? Do you think giving a placebo drug is ethical or not? Explain your answer.

A placebo drug is an inactive substance used in clinical trials as a control, with which comparisons can be made to the real drug. It is used to determine if any effects are real or psychological.

Before anything else, we must acknowledge the fact that most, if not all placebo drugs are used only as control in comparison to experimental drugs, and, as the definition states, to determine psychological effects of drugs. In line with this thought, patients who are given placebo drugs are not usually informed of the nature of this substance, that they are in fact, just placebo. This is the reason why the ethical principle of the matter is questioned. Another thing, most of the patients that undergo these studies are those with terminal conditions, or those conditions with little or no known and effective cure as of yet, hence the experimental studies of the drugs, which make it all the more ethically questionable. For me, using placebo drugs are ethical in the sense that it is essential in the progress of scientific knowledge in pharmacology. In fact, it would be so difficult to determine the effectiveness of experimental drugs if there are no placebo to compare with. I understand that patients with terminal illness are desperate enough to try experimental drugs, even without assurance of cure. However, if they found out that the drug given to them was actually just placebo, this would quite understandably incur their wrath. But I think, if explained to them properly after the research, I'm sure they would see the logic of the study, and the importance of their participation. In the issue that they are in desperate need of the cure but they are not given the drug but only the control, well, I'm sure there's nothing that a very good explanation cannot resolve. That is why obtaining an informed consent at the very beginning of the study is extremely important, that the patients enrolling in the study know that there is in fact a placebo group in the research. So in the end, they cannot really accuse the research group of falsity and immorality for not giving the experimental drug. And afterall, the drug in question is experimental therefore, there really is no assurance that it will work. However, if it does work, then everybody can benefit from the results of the study.

assignment # 4

The twelve basic rights of a patient:

1) A patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.
2) A patient has the right to receive complete information from a physician about a patient's diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis.
3. A patient has the right to obtain information about the specific nature of a proposed treatment or procedure, a disclosure of the risks involved, and information about medical alternatives.
4. A patient has the right to refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences.
5. A patient has the right to privacy during discussion of one's medical condition and while undergoing medical care.
6. A patient has the right to expect all records related to medical care will be kept confidential.
7. A patient has the right to expect that reasonable efforts will be made to respond to the patient's request for services, and that the patient will not be transferred to another medical facility without advising the patient of the need to be transferred and without ensuring that the new facility will accept transfer of the patient.
8. A patient has the right to obtain information about the relationships amongst care providers in the hospital and related medical and educational institutions. This is designed to protect patients from conflicting interests that might affect quality of care.
A patient has the right to obtain information about human experimentation and research that might affect treatment or care, and to refuse to take part in such experimentation and research.
9. A patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. This is meant to assure the patient that, for example, diagnoses will be followed up with continued treatment.
10. A patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of the hospital bill.
11. A patient has the right to be informed of hospital rules and regulations that apply to patient conduct. This statement of rights provides benefit to both patient and hospital.
12. Though the quality of resolution varies widely, most hospitals have grievance committees that will hear complaints and staff representatives that act as patient advocates when a right is called into question.

ref: http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/73/Patient-s-rights.html

assignment # 3

The basic elements of an informed consent are those required information that must be provided to the subject:

1) A statement that the study involves research, an explanation of the purposes of the research and the expected duration of the subject's participation, a description of the procedures to be followed, and identification of any products which are experimental.
2) A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject.
3) A description of any benefits to the subject or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research.
4) A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to the subject.
5) A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained and that notes the possibility that external regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, may inspect the records.
6) For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any compensation and/or medical treatments are available if injury occurs and, if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained.
7) A statement that participation is voluntary, that refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and that the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled.

Additional elements of the informed consent should also be provided when appropriate:

1) A statement that the particular treatment or procedure may involve risks to the subject (or to the embryo or fetus, if the subject is or may become pregnant) which are currently unforeseeable.
2) Anticipated circumstances under which the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to the subject's consent.
3) Any additional costs to the subject that may result from participation in the research.
4) The consequences of a subject's decision to withdraw from the research and procedures for orderly termination of participation by the subject.
5) A statement that significant new findings developed during the course of the research which may relate to the subject's willingness to continue participation will be provided to the subject.
6) The approximate number of subjects involved in the study.

ref: http://www.rgs.uci.edu/ora/rp/hrpp/requiredelements.htm