Monday, December 3, 2012

Using Medical Music


Although not directly related to Health Information Music, I hope this will inspire physicians to think about how they can use music to share information.

One of the first things fetuses pay attention to in the outside world is music; studies have shown children who study a musical instrument do better at math. Public places use music to create safe zones, buying frenzies and cultural appeals for specific clientele. Yet our western culture tends to think listening to music as an adult is frivolous. In this article, I’m going to look at how medicine can use and is using music.

Training Doctors 

Medical trainees have vast amounts of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to memorize. Some of those students would benefit from using music in that process. Some examples are Songs of Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology Concerto.

Illustrating procedures can be made more memorable by using videos such as Colon is a Mighty Big River and da Vinci Robotic Hysterectomy.

There are also great videos to kick start a lecture such as Breathe, Bad Project, Diagnosis Wenckebach, Children's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and Eternal Clerking.

Teaching students to be medical advocates can be aided by great examples like Unbreakable and Don't Smoke Ya Life Away.

To help them relieve stress, try Med Life Stress, lose yourself and Waiting for the Beep.

Finally creating music can take learning to a deeper level, relieve stress and/or add to the resources available to others. Why not start something musical at your school.
  
 

Practising Medicine 

Imagine having a screen or iPad available in the waiting room where patients could watch videos like Immunize: The Vaccine Anthem!, The Ulcer Rap or the more risky Manhood in the Mirror.

For more ideas, see my website or follow my new Scoop.it.
Deirdre Bonnycastle
Fellow
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues

From the ACMImimi Archives...



This rare footage of "The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues" was discovered by ACMImimi archivists.  The song was written and performed by ACMImimi's President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi back in December 1998 in his hometown of Fairborn, Ohio at the Fairborn Actor's Theatre as part of a double billed event including a concert by Dr. Martin and a performance of his 1996 original musical, A Carol's Christmas.

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues 

I know you can't tell I'm a superhero just from the sound of my voice, but it's true — I'm Babyman — fighting for truth, justice, and the eradication of diaper rash from the planet! Of course, I haven't always been a superhero. Like most superheroes before me, my transformation involved a freak accident. I make my living as an obstetrician, and one day during a delivery, I was bitten by a radioactive baby. Over time, I became Babyman! And, like most superheroes, I have acquired amazing superpowers. I can projectile vomit thirty feet in any direction. When backed into a corner, I can emit an ear-piercing scream that not only deafens my would-be assailant, but also summons any mother within a three-mile radius to come running to my aid. But the most important superpower I possess is the ability to understand babytalk. You see, most people assume that babies cry when they're born because they're cold or hungry. Not true. They've been cooped up for nine months listening to everyone else talk without being able to get a word in edgewise and they are ticked! Most of them, of course, are upset about the fiscal cliff. And they were totally fed up with all the election ads, which sounded very scary in utero. deficit. But a while back, a baby came out and said, "Look, pal, could you do something about the cigarettes already? I was dying in there!" In consideration of his plea, I offer this song about smoking in pregnancy — from the baby's perspective...

Well, I started out life a' thinkin' I was cool
Just floatin' around in my private swimmin' pool
Not a care in the world, though sometimes I'd get bored
So I'd pass the time playing jump rope with my cord
Then one day I woke up with a ringing in my ears
My head was a' spinning — I cried amniotic tears
I couldn't throw up a window in my womb without a view
So I kicked my Ma to say I needed more O2.
I said, "Yo, Ma! What gives? How bad's it gonna get?"
That's when I knew she was puffin' on a stinkin' cigarette!
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues.

Now I start off each morning feelin' weak and turnin' green
'Cause my mom feeds me breakfast made with tar and nicotine
My body's always hungry, looking for some descent eats
I'm just wastin' away from my head down to my feets
I keep strugglin' along 'cause I got nowhere else to go
But I can tell by my size I'm gettin' insufficient flow
My Mama's hooked on cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

Oh, Doctor, can't you help me? Aren't you an M.D.?
Living in this smoke-filled womb is not my cup of tea
But you keep leading Mom on, saying everything is fine
Hey, Doctor, can't you read the "No Smoking" sign?

My placenta's so old, it's gonna have a heart attack
So I'm checkin' out early from this dirty one-room shack
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

I said, my Mom won't kick the habit — oh, what can I do?
I've got the dingy brown got-me-down...
Stinkin' black heart attack...
The grimy green nicotine blues.

(c)1995 Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology