We are losing our ancestral knowledge because the technicians only believe in modern science and cannot read the sky.
-Andean peasant expression
I read this quote in an ethnobotany course I took while on exchange in Kenya several years ago. Although clearly unintended, I have always found it so perfectly relevant to genetics. One of the things I love most about the field is the importance of taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. A patient’s bizarre mix of symptoms can often be understood only when taken in the context of his/her family history. One’s decision to pursue or not pursue a genetic test will make sense when you take into account their current familial, social or vocational situation. A population based screening program has the potential to alter our understanding of “marital compatibility” and preventative medicine.
A while ago I wrote about the focus on the human aspect of the medical experience as a strength of the field of genetic counseling. The more I get caught up in the minutia of busy clinic life, the easier it becomes to lose sight of this perspective. Blogging forces me to take a step back and challenge myself to engage in the larger conversation. For this reason, I encourage my fellow GCs to give it a try too.
Interested in starting a personal or group blog? Please comment here or send me an email.
I think a group blog would be great!
By: Kelly on March 12, 2009
at 8:24 pm
Kelly- Glad to hear you’d be interested. Any thoughts on the structure, focus, etc?
By: alliejanson on March 12, 2009
at 10:20 pm
An idea/suggestion would be to set up something similar to a cochlear implant blog I’ve been following. I really like how it’s set up and it could possibly serve as a model. Basically they have 2 main bloggers who will blog about main/general “hot” topics.
In additional, they have another page on that blog called “deaf village” where other bloggers can contribute it also has a list of all the contributors’ blogs. Basically people submit their blog and the 2 main “bloggers” review each blog post to make sure it’s deaf related.
I did try to set up a class blog my first year at SLC and it was difficult to get people to commit and wasn’t successful at all. I really like how this particular cochlear implant blog has 2 main bloggers 100% committed to it who update it a couple of times a week. Yet, it still gives other people who may not want to be as committed the chance to contribute their blog every once in a while.
They also have a separate page on the blog for links to resources.
Does that structure make sense? Just a thought.
You’ve probably been following the NSGC list serv e-mails and you’re probably aware that there has been some talk about blogging. I think now would be a great time to jump on this if you really want to do this. I would be more than happy to help out in any way I can.
Do you want to make it focused on only genetic counselors? Or are you hoping to focus on both the general population and genetic counselors? I guess what I’m trying to ask is are you thinking about just discussing topics that apply only to genetic counselor professionals OR a wider audience (e.g. some basic genetic info, getting the word out as to what GCs do, establishing a stronger voice within the medical community in general, etc?)
What are some of your thoughts?
By: Kelly on March 14, 2009
at 11:35 pm
Kelly,
Thanks for the ideas. Can you send the link to the cochlear implant blog you follow? It sounds like a really good set up. I like the idea that a lot of different people can contribute, but there are a couple who take the lead. Would you be interested in being one of the main bloggers?
I have been following the listserv conversation lately. It is great to hear that other GCs are beginning to see the value in blogging. I would love it to have a GC focus, but also have relevance to a broader audience (other health professionals, patients, etc). Lets make this happen, Kelly!
PS- congrats on a successful surgery!
By: alliejanson on March 15, 2009
at 2:13 pm
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at 5:03 pm