I was watching National Geograpghic HD last night. Yes, I do have a few minutes to watch TV. I always love to watch their in the womb specials. This time it was Twins.
What I love is the way they tell the story and teach the science (very lightly). I have to say, I have tried to teach doctors these subjects for a while now and most of what I get are these blank stares.
NatGeo has these wonderful graphic animations and weave a story around the animations with real clinical examples that bring the science to life.
Maybe we need to start having physicians watch NatGeo. We could scrub NCHPEG and anything EMedicine or UpToDate has to offer (which are average tools and topics).
Why? In one brief 60 minutes episode of NatGeo, they covered
1. Twins have epigenetic differences, explained epigenetics including methylation and presented Russell Silver syndrome in an Identical Twin
2. Identical Twins have different Copy Number Variation, yes they even explain what CNV is! BTW I mentioned this in the Autism studies being done up at Yale
3. They presented a MZ twin set where one boy was gay the other straight, v. interesting stuff on testosterone sensitivity.
They then took the fact that these people were identical and showed how based on these other subtle genetic differences they were at different risks for diseases.
This is probably one of the best ways to teach physicians, via case based learning and science. The big problem? Those episodes cost perhaps a million dollars to make. I don't see anyone handing over that kind of money in this economic environment. But what if they did? What if there was a channel just for physician education that produced such films? Sure the public could subscribe too.....what a great freakin' channel!
Yes, if we could have TV teach the physician we may be better off. Just an hour a night. 3 nights a week. Imagine how quick we could jumpstart the Personalized Medicine revolution. Turn off Grays Anatomy and tune into something worthwhile. But alas, most doctors are looking to escape medicine when they turn on the TV, not learn. But if you offered CMEs???? Might be something there....
The Sherpa Says: Why does it take a million dollar budget and a set of production professionals to create a palatable lecture on epigenetics? Alas, because the scientists and physicians have the Curse of Knowledge.
3 comments:
You are right. It sure does cost a lot of money to put together just one of those shows. I know that there is a doctors show on ABC or CBS at around 4:00 PM CT (I could be off on the time). I know that there is also a science channel that started not to long ago but I've never seen it on TV and I have Direct TV.
Yeah, it would be a good idea if someone had the money for it and doctors would want to watch it.
"The Sherpa Says: Why does it take a million dollar budget and a set of production professionals to create a palatable lecture on epigenetics? Alas, because the scientists and physicians have the Curse of Knowledge."
Well, you can compose a lecture on epigenetics, and we'll record it and put it on YouTube and DVD for under $200. Your response will probably be: that's a great idea, but I'm too busy right now. I'd say something similar.
Now apply that scenario to every other competent potential lecturer.
This idea has been thrown around the venture community. They are looking for funding from Pharma and Biotech. The only downside is the conflicts of interest as each segment will be some sort of advertisement.
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