Podcast Summary
Humorous Studies in Christmas BMJ: The Christmas BMJ edition features light-hearted studies, showcasing researchers' creativity and scientific rigor.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has a lighter side, and scientists sometimes publish humorous papers during the Christmas edition to add a fun twist to academic research. The Lego Poopy Head episode and the evaluation of Doctor Brown Bear on Peppa Pig are examples of such papers. These studies, while seemingly trivial, aim to bring attention to important issues in a unique and engaging way. Getting published in the Christmas BMJ is considered a significant achievement for researchers, as it showcases their ability to combine scientific rigor with creativity and humor. So, the next time you come across an unusual study, don't dismiss it right away – it might just be a clever contribution to the world of scientific research.
Exploring the Competitive Process of Getting Published in the Christmas BMJ Issue: The Christmas BMJ issue showcases rigorous scientific research and the importance of sharing knowledge through publication, despite the competitive process.
Getting published in the prestigious Christmas BMJ issue is an extremely competitive process. The BMJ, which stands for British Medical Journal, receives a large number of submissions and only accepts a select few. The process involves pleasing everyone involved, from editors to reviewers, before a paper can move forward. The team behind the NPR podcast "Shortwave" explored this topic by examining past Christmas BMJ issues and discovered a range of fascinating studies, from the science of Big Ben to the accuracy of being a doctor in the Sims 4 video game. These studies demonstrate the importance of rigorous scientific research and the value of sharing knowledge with the world. As the BBC puts it, the best stories make us think, and the Christmas BMJ is a prime example of this.
Exploring various aspects of healthcare through diverse publications: Research beyond traditional papers offers valuable insights into healthcare, including opinion pieces, patient commentaries, and features on various topics.
The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Publishing accepts a wide range of entries beyond traditional research papers, including opinion pieces, patient commentaries, editorials, analysis articles, and features on various topics. These entries can be wholesome and timely, such as a study on the acceptable number of free cookies and hot drinks to take in a medical library during the holiday season. The researchers found a consensus of two biscuits and two to three coffees. While some might argue that taking more is stealing, others might see it as seizing an opportunity. A favorite study of Marj's was an original research piece about children who struggled to get a good night's sleep. These types of publications provide a platform for exploring various aspects of healthcare and offer valuable insights beyond just scientific data.
Silence of Big Ben Improves Children's Sleep: Big Ben's silence during repairs led to better sleep for hospital children, highlighting the impact of environmental noise on sleep and the need for soundproofing in healthcare settings.
The prolonged silence of Big Ben, London's iconic clock tower, during repairs from 2017 to 2022, unexpectedly improved the sleep quality of children at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Researchers discovered that each bong from Big Ben corresponded to a sleep disruption on the children's polysomnographs. This finding highlighted the significant impact of environmental noise on sleep, emphasizing the importance of soundproofing in healthcare settings. The researchers concluded their study with a hope that the only disturbance to children's sleep on Christmas Eve would be the sound of Santa's reindeer.
Exploring Real-Life Doctor Challenges in The Sims 4: Through playing The Sims 4 as a doctor, freelance journalist Jordan Ullman discovered the importance of accurate diagnoses and the impact of work-life balance and long wait times on doctors, resonating with readers.
Even in a virtual world like The Sims 4, the challenges and pressures faced by doctors in real life can be accurately depicted. Freelance journalist Jordan Ullman discovered this firsthand when he decided to become a doctor in the game and researched its medical aspects. While there are differences, such as only eight illnesses and the potential consequence of a misdiagnosis resulting in a patient disappearing, Jordan found that the game captured the importance of accurate diagnoses and the impact of long wait times and work-life balance issues on doctors. These themes resonated with readers, allowing him to publish his feature despite the game's imperfect scientific accuracy. Overall, Jordan's experience highlights the potential for video games to provide valuable insights into real-life experiences.
Star Trek-themed paper for BMJ publication: Adding levity and originality can increase chances of publishing in BMJ, collaboration and Star Trek theme are examples.
Originality and high-quality research are key factors in getting a paper published in the British Medical Journal. While there isn't a specific formula for success, adding a touch of levity can also help grab the attention of physicians reading during their breaks. Appreciation for the challenges of being a doctor was also a recurring theme, but the focus for this project is on creating a winning publication. Collaborating on a Star Trek-themed paper could be an intriguing and engaging approach. This episode was produced and reported by Margaret Serino and Liz Metzger, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, fact-checked by Liz and Margaret, and engineered by Hannah Glovna. Remember, Ezcater is here to help companies solve food needs, from employee meal plans to on-site staffing and concierge ordering support. Capella University is another NPR sponsor.
Flexible Learning at Capella University: Capella University's FlexPath program lets students earn their degree at their own pace with support, providing a flexible, personalized, and successful educational experience
Capella University offers a flexible online learning format called FlexPath, which enables students to earn their degree at their own pace while receiving support from dedicated individuals committed to their success. This unique approach to education allows students to reimagine their future and balance their education with their personal and professional commitments. The FlexPath format empowers students to progress through their courses as quickly as they are able, providing them with the flexibility to learn on their terms. Moreover, Capella's caring and supportive community ensures that students never feel alone in their educational journey. By choosing Capella University, students can unlock the door to a more flexible, personalized, and successful educational experience. Visit capella.edu to learn more about how you can earn your degree differently and imagine your future in a new light.
