RCSIsmjeditorial and director’s welcome Medicine: science or art? As we wade through electronic journals, PowerPoint presentations, and modern mobile applications in the course of our medical education, the increased influence of modern science and technology makes it all too easy to think of medicine as a pure science. In this issue of the RCSIsmj, Vincent Healy’s review of the quest to build an ‘artificial womb’ and Jenna Geers’ discussion of incorporating whole genomic sequencing in the clinic exemplify how modern technology and science have changed the face of medicine. Reviews of relatively well-studied topics such as fibromyalgia by Ghaleb Halaseh, diabetes by Samar Atteih, and antibiotics by Stephanie Tung highlight how our approach to diseases that are well understood continues to be moulded as our knowledge grows. In addition to discussing advances in science, in this issue we also reflect the other side – that is, the art – of medicine. Travel briefs by Luke Gin and Amenah Dhanoon illustrate the true essence of medicine in nations dealing with difficult situations (such as Nepal and Syria, respectively), while Danielle Wuebbolt’s visit to Shanghai demonstrates how culture affects medicine. Jessica Suddaby examines the challenges and opportunities facing refugee and migrant healthcare in Europe, Katie Dunleavy et al. discuss the rotavirus burden and impact of vaccination in Uganda, and Naomi O’Sullivan takes us beyond our shrinking world to discuss medicine in space! The concepts of medicine as an art and science collide as Amelia Reid explores changing attitudes to communication, Michael
Bravo argues for ‘sharing and caring’ in the world of scientific and medical literature, and Deirdre Harford, in her prize winning essay, deliberates on the ethics associated with the use of untested drugs in the treatment of the Ebola virus. Apart from reflecting how the world continues to evolve, they also serve as a reminder that humanity and the art of medicine are still very much alive and well, and not merely romantic rhetoric. There is something to learn from every patient and every moment in medicine, and (we hope) in every page of this Journal. The pieces within exemplify the need to constantly evaluate our actions and motivations, particularly in how we balance science and art. Though our world continues to evolve, and science continues to advance, medicine desperately requires both and has since the time of Hippocrates. After all, “wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
Mohit Butaney Editor-in-Chief, RCSIsmj 2015-2016
Director’s welcome “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” Attributed to Albert Einstein I am delighted to welcome you to the ninth edition of the RCSIsmj. This year we received an unprecedented number of fabulous submissions from the RCSI student body, and as a result were able to fill a larger issue than ever before with high-quality pieces. I am confident that you will enjoy their work and learn a great deal from it. Our training has deeply instilled in us the concept of evidence-based decision-making, and we are introduced to research as an educational tool from the very beginning of medical school. Still, participation in the ‘publish or perish’ world of medical research can be extremely daunting for young scientists. The RCSIsmj aims to ease students at all levels of their training into the research and publication process in a collaborative, collegial environment. The result is the Journal you hold in your hands, but also (we hope) the initiation of several early physician-scientist careers. The RCSIsmj is a student-run organisation; all of the content published within is written, reviewed, selected, and edited by students, and our journal clubs are organised and presented by Page 4 | Volume 9: Number 1. 2016
students for discussion with our peers. We are extraordinarily grateful for the support and assistance we receive from the Dean’s office in the RCSI, and from the faculty who take time out of their busy schedules to participate in journal activities. This publication would not be possible without any of them. Though my involvement with the RCSIsmj has come to an end, I am excited to watch the Journal continue to grow and evolve under the guidance of the next generations of students. I hope that through their involvement they find, as I have, the confidence to dive head first into the challenging and rewarding world of medical research.
Natalie Achamallah Director, RCSIsmj 2015-2016