UPDATE: Research Project (2)

The second data collection process (a part of the SIG project) has just recently concluded, thus beginning the next coding phase. This means that the research assistants (myself included) will be inputting the results from the previous data collection into a spreadsheet, where we will then identify patterns that support our hypothesis - this, of course, being that the non-ELLs outperform the ELLs on the math task due to language barriers shared by the ELL population (if this is still the case).

For more information on this research project, visit: Research & Publications.

Administered Botox Injections by Unlicensed Doctors

Beware of the fraudulent “practitioners” that offer Botox injections at health spas in Vancouver. According to a news story on CBC News, spa staff members who aren’t physicians are offering (and administering) Botox injections to customers.

Right now you’re (probably) thinking: “who in their right mind would accept Botox injections/prescriptions from anyone other than a physician?”

That’s just the thing – these spas have fake certificates all over their walls claiming that certain staff members are fully qualified physicians, or “doctors,” (1). (If Dr. Joe doesn’t have credential letters at the end of his name on his certificate/degree, then how are we supposed to know what kind of doctor he is? He probably isn’t one).

Health Canada asserts, “Botox should only be prescribed and administered by a physician” (1). Any other method of prescription “would be considered to be a contravention of the Food and Drugs Act…” meaning it would be against the law (1).

And how did these fraudulent practitioners get their hands on Botox if they aren’t registered physicians? According to one of these workers, he claims that he buys his Botox online and without a prescription (1).

The ultimate question stands: how are they getting away with the impersonation of a physician? Surely, these people have been charged at least, right? Negative. According to Dr. Martin Braun in an interview with CBC News, “Unfortunately the College of Physicians is only regulating physicians right now. When I’ve asked them to look at this, they say it is far too expensive and beyond their mandate” (1).

CBC News presented a few tips for protection against fraudulent prescriptions of Botox:

Check the bottle. The bottle of Botox should have a bilingual hologram label on it that says “Allergan.” This is the only company that makes Botox that is marketed in Canada (1).

Avoid coupon deals. Doctors in Canada aren’t allowed to discount prescriptions. Avoid these “deals” (1).

This information was extracted from CBC News.

References

(1) http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Health/1244503490/ID=2196948934

A New Way of Measuring Blood Pressure

That old conventional way of measuring one’s blood pressure may experience a (universal) change due to a relatively new find in research. Rather than simply measuring one arm for blood pressure, a new study suggests that measuring both arms should now be standard procedure as the inconsistent measurements in the two may lead to a diagnosis of an otherwise “clinically silent” disorder. Evidence discovered by the researchers show that differences in both arms correlate with increased risks of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, with the inconsistent measurements in each arm, the risk of one experiencing a cardiovascular death is increased by 70 per cent – and the risk of death by any cause is increased by 60 per cent (1).

This is important information not only for physicians, but for patients’ very own knowledge. Some physicians may not hear or read about this new find, and so a patient, upon learning about this study, should inform his/her physician of the new method, as it could save one’s life.

THE RESEARCH

The study was led by Dr. Christopher E. Clark of the University of Exeter in the UK. It is a detailed review of 28 blood pressure studies, and was published by The Lancet on Sunday (29-01-12) (1).

WHAT IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is considered to be the most common disease of the arteries. The vessels are essentially clogged with “fatty materials” which cause the arteries to harden, narrow and weaken over time. This condition may even eventually affect the heart, which is then known as coronary heart (or artery) disease (2).

WHAT IS CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE?

Similar to PVD, but affects the blood supply to the brain (1).

Visit the sources below for more information on the study, the new method of measuring blood pressure, and of the two diseases.


References

(1)  http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20120129/measuring-blood-pressure-in-both-arms-could-save-lives-study-120129/

(2)  http://www.emedicinehealth.com/peripheral_vascular_disease/article_em.htm