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| While many doctors may be highly educated, oftentimes patients feel they did not receive enough explanation about their diagnosis. This is why some medical schools are focusing on communication skills and working on the "bedside manner" of their students. An article in the NY Times discusses one such decision by the University of Chicago. What do you think, should there be classes about communication skills at medical school, or are there too many classes as it is? Alternatively, should the patients trust the doctors more and simply go with what is prescribed without expecting small talk and details from the doctor? | | |
| A recent study in the British paper The Telegraph revealed that the majority of 200 men surveyed said they cannot handle household electronics. In addition, it found that the majority of the women surveyed said they found smart phones like Blackberry and iphones hard to function. My concern is that this study seems to function off of stereotypes. I think men would not say they can manage in the kitchen or do the washing, so they are not held responsible for it. As far as women go, it seems that women are simply being honest and saying that smart phones are hard to function, especially when first switching to one. What is your opinion? | | |
| This week you have many choices for your weblogs, thanks to the creative students who found them, Aman, Puteri and Yara. So, since we have read them all in class, please let us know your opinions about London banning size zero models from the catwalk or the recent report on women driving in Saudi Arabia published by the Shura council and tell us what you think. Alternatively, if social media is your thing, comment on the article about Twitter and how Cornell University has been tracking mood swings using using the site. Personally, I think we should ban skinny models and drive down to the coffee shop to update our Twitter pages! | | |
| Level 8 Section 4 is writing about Facebook addiction. Personally, Facebook has done many great things for me, such as getting an endangered lynx out of a pet shop and into the Riyadh zoo. I have also reconnected with old high school friends and made a few new ones. So, I am a little surprised to see that people consider Facebook as bad as an addictive drug as in the article "Hard to Resist." While I do think Facebook can be addictive, I have ways of regulating myself. For example, I don't log into it at work or even at home if I have other important Internet-based things to do. I only log into it at the end of my day, when I am ready to relax and let it all go. | | |
| Level 8 section 3 has decided to write about Emma Sullivan, a teenaged tweeter who criticized Kansas governor Brownback. Even though her comments were unprofessional, they were her own and only expressed to her 65 friends on Twitter. In a country that has free speech, I can't understand why Brownback is expecting an apology. In fact, now that Brownback is upset and has spread media attention over the comments, it is all over the news. Now, people in Saudi Arabia, in our Level 8 English class are talking about it! So, yes while I think she could have been more professional in her comments, I do feel it is her right to tweet about whatever she wants and without apology. What is your opinion? | | |
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