In medicine, claiming the ability to perform “miracles” can understandably raise some hackles. Generally, medical professionals prefer to leave the supposed miracle-working to the likes of Dr. Oz and stick with empirically supported interventions, thank you very much. But “miracles” is exactly the word Kent, UK parents Mark and Annie Montague use to describe what they have experienced while attempting to socialize their severely autistic twin sons, Samuel and Jacob. A recent BBC feature documented how the family has found an apparent solution to their intense struggles with the twins’ non-responsive and often destructive behavior—including running away from home multiple times—in a form of social skills intervention called the Son-Rise program. Since they began participating in the immersive program—Mark and Annie went so far as to construct isolated indoor environments in which the boys could undergo their therapy—Samuel and Jacob have begun making eye contact, communicating effectively, and being less destructive.
With autism rates on the rise and in the news, the Montagues’ case may seem like a sign of hope for other families going through similar trials. However, before we begin proclaiming that a miracle cure has been found—or even that autism requires a cure in the first place—we should first examine the Son-Rise program with a healthy dose of scientific skepticism. Continue reading “Is the Son-Rise Program a “Miracle”?”
First, do no harm – the words of the Hippocratic oath are forever embedded in the memory of every person who spends even a moment in the medical profession. While our time is spent working to make the best decisions possible for the patients that have entrusted you with their care or the care of their loved ones, at the end of the day, we are all simply human. Mistakes will be made and whether they are the result of a judgment error, lack of information, or simply from distraction and being overworked, they can be detrimental and consuming. Continue reading “Coping with Mistakes as a Medical Professional”
When you’re on the road and exploring new places as a travel nurse, you’ll want to have quick access to the best information about your home away from home, plus easy ways to keep track of work-related expenses, and a portable way to access career-related information while on the job. We’ve pulled together a list of some great apps that travel nurses will find useful and that will simplify life on the road.
Continue reading “Great Apps for Travel Nurses”
There are many ways one could go about celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8th) this year. You could helpfully remind your Congressperson that the United States is virtually the only developed country on earth that doesn’t federally mandate paid maternity leave, for one. While you’re at it, you could ask them to reintroduce equal pay for equal work legislation, for another. Or, a personal favorite, you could dig up your old collection of Susan B. Anthony coins and use them to buy lunch. Here at Soliant, though, we just want to take a moment to celebrate women in healthcare, a field in which women arguably work harder and make a larger impact than they do in any other.
Continue reading “This International Women’s Day, Celebrate Women in Healthcare”
It’s tax season again. Replacing the garland and tinsel of the holiday season with red tape and paperwork is certainly not much to get excited about. However, everyone must deal with this necessary evil. Here are just a few tips for those in medical professions that can help make tax time easier and ensure that you receive all of the deductions and credits that you qualify for. Continue reading “Five Important Tax Tips for Medical Professionals”