• 6Jul 09

  What is a D.O.?

  I'm not sure how many people still read this blog after 150 posts, and I don't normally ask a lot of those of you who do. But if everyone who reads this post could do me a favor and take a few minutes out of your day to read this post on DoctorFishypants.com, I would really appreciate it. We don't need to start a long discussion about it, but I am curious how many people have ever heard of osteopathic medicine in the United States. I hadn't before I applied to medical school a few years ago.

  I say United States, specifically, because osteopathic medicine outside of this country is a completely different entity. Most D.O.s that practice worldwide are trained only in osteopathic manipulative treatment. The scope of their practice does not usually include traditional medicine. (See the comments section of my previous post for more information.)

  Anyway, thank you to those who take the time out to read the article or post a comment. I would post it here on GameSpot, but it doesn't really have anything to do with video games. I try to keep most of the posts on this blog at least somewhat related to the industry. And even if no one comments here or on DoctorFishypants, at least I'm getting the word out about osteopathic medicine for anyone who might have the slightest interest in applying to medical school

  • Posted Jul 6, 2009 9:40 pm PT
  • Category: Science
  • 16 Comments
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• 2Jul 09

  AOA Resolution to Recommend Video Games to Patients

  I was recently contacted by a representative of the American Osteopathic Association who thought I might be interested in the AOA's upcoming business and policy meeting. Representatives of the nation's more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) will convene July 17-18 for the AOA's Annual House of Delegates Meeting in Chicago, IL. Delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents, and students will vote on organizational policies surrounding a variety of health care issues, such as prohibiting the advertisement and sale of raw milk and the recommendation that physically active video games could be considered as a component of a patient's fitness routine.

  Here is an excerpt from the pre-meeting news release about the video games resolution:

  Physically Active Video Games: After years of being blamed for contributing to America's childhood obesity problem, many video games are now incorporating a fitness component, such as exercising with a virtual trainer or following a dance routine. Delegates will vote on whether physicians should consider recommending physically active video games as an element of a patient's exercise program. The policy also would direct the AOA to encourage additional research about the health benefits of using physically active video games as part of both an exercise routine and a patient's rehabilitation.

  As a medical student considering pediatrics as a career and as an avid video game player for over 20 years, I can't help but be excited about the potential for mutual benefit here. Patients have a hard time committing to long-term fitness goals because it's difficult to stay motivated when your exercise routine isn't particularly stimulating. And video games have long been one of the many scapegoats for America's childhood obesity epidemic. I am certainly guilty of blaming a lack of physical activity on a video game once or twice myself. But with new titles like Wii Fit and EA Sports Active introducing what seems to be a lasting trend of fitness-focused video games, the potential benefits to health care can't be overlooked. I'll be following developments on this front closely.

  About D.O.s and Osteopathic Medicine

  • What is a D.O.? - Information about the differences and similarities in training between an osteopathic physician (D.O.) and an M.D.
  • Osteopathic Medical Profession Report - Statistical information about the osteopathic medical profession.
  • Posted Jul 2, 2009 3:55 pm PT
  • Category: Science
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• 13Jun 09

  Summer Break

  Now that I'm on summer break from med school, I thought it would be fun to get back into reviewing some games. My review for Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled went up on GameSpot yesterday. Basically, if you like any of the billion JRPG remakes that have already come out on the DS, you'll probably like Black Sigil.

  Other than that, I've just been travelling during my free time. I went to Niagara Falls with Emily. Pictures are here for anyone interested. Right now I'm in Cincinnati visiting her family for the weekend, and I'll be back here next month to finally catch Video Games Live, which I've been dying to see since it started.

  I finished Assassin's Creed, Too Human, and Bioshock. I can' wait for Bioshock 2 and Assassin's Creed 2, but I'll be perfectly fine if they never make another Too Human. That game is an exercise in tedium. I've started playing Lost Planet in preparation for the sequel. Mass Effect is probably next on my list, if I ever get tired of inFamous. I love having nothing to do over the summer.

  • Posted Jun 13, 2009 7:08 am PT
  • Category: General
  • 14 Comments
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