Posts filed under 'Medicine'
Great new project emerging in the States, a documentary film + online engagement.
THE WAITING ROOM is not just a film about the health care crisis. It is a place for change: an organic melding of traditional documentary film and innovative social media. The central question of the project, “what r u waiting for?” is directed not just at policy makers but also at individual citizens like those sitting in the waiting room – isolated, tired, stuck – who now possess the means to use their own voices to push the agenda of health care reform.
It’s got an amazing team: Emmy-award winning media-makers, matched up with digital information designers, and an oscar-winning executive producer. Check it out: http://whatruwaitingfor.com
July 9th, 2009
Check out this great online doctor working in Brooklyn, who works with patients via email, IM, videochat, the internet, on his cell phone (at a cafe) and housecalls, instead of through scheduled appointments in a clinic. This is an example of how he works. Incredible!
He claims that communication is the biggest issue facing doctors and patients, not time or space… or money.
Read a story about him here.
December 28th, 2007
Whatever you may think of him, Michael Moore is about to make another very big political impact with a documentary — this time in health care.
His new film, Sicko, an indictment of the American health care system, premiered last week at Cannes, and is set for theatrical release on June 29. The release of the film is closely connected with state-level and national Health Care Reform movements, and promises to do “More for health care, than “An Inconvenient Truth” did for climate change.”
The NYTimes has speculated on the impact the film could have, while the San Fran Chron has foretold how activists will piggyback on the film’s success.
While the international reviews of the film are glowing, the Canadian response to the film has not been so thumbs up. The Toronto Star has itemized the criticism of Moore’s portrayal of the Canadian health care system. When he heard Canadians were not so happy with the film, Moore apparently said: “You Canadians! You used to be so funny!”
In another Michael Moore-related debate, check out Peter Wintonick’s recent defense of the documentary within the context of attacks on Moore’s whole approach.
May 28th, 2007
Kudos to pal and co-conspirator Alice Gorman for her honorable mention in the 2007 Nightingale Awards, given to nurses who go above and beyond. Alice has been the powerhouse behind I WAS HERE, along with other great projects at Young Parents No Fixed Address Network.
Meanwhile, the participants of I WAS HERE, have won their own award, called the Frankly Bob Awards, and Mayor David Miller will be on hand to pass over the prize to them on May 29th.
It’s an honour to work with you all, you award-winners!
May 7th, 2007
The I WAS HERE exhibit has inspired a class of Nursing students (at Ryerson) to take action. Third year students in a course called “Community Health Nursing” are working to:
1) Host an information night at the university about the issues; 2) Circulate a petition outlining the needs of young parents to the Premier of Ontario; 3) Ask Ontario Works (Welfare) to increase funding for young parents; 4) Ask OW to develop a clear overview of the services they provide to this group; 5) Request all levels of government to consider increased transitional housing and more funds for food banks dedicated to homeless/marginally housed young parents; 6) Recommend that OW provide specialized training to service providers and/or specific workers for young parents; 7) Explore the possibility of establishing an Advocacy Office for young marginalized families.
Wow.
March 10th, 2007
Will post soon from Amsterdam, from the world’s biggest and best documentary festival
Gerry Flahive and I, are presenting at DocAgora the first ever one-day conference on new forms, new platforms and new models of funding creative, socially-engaged documentaries.
Am keen to hear what other panelists, including Flickr, BBC New Media and Al Jazeera International have to say about using new media to tell documentary stories.
November 24th, 2006
