Doctors and patients: tips for effective communication

Whether you’re doing a routine check-up or providing very particular nutritional advice for your diabetes type 2 patient, consider these four points when advising: 

• Content – Try to be as clear and concise in your instructions. You need to factor in the possibility of your patient having limited literacy or the inability to speak English. Be precise about what you say so that your patient doesn't feel uncertain about their instructions.
• Delivery – Similarly, you need to remain mindful of your patient’s literacy levels. It’s inappropriate to provide written instructions at a high reading level. The same applies to verbal instructions. Also, ask questions if you feel your delivery is not clear enough. 
• Comprehension – Be cognisant of what you say and how your patient may comprehend it. Keeping your instructions simple to avoid confusion is paramount.
• Implementation – To ensure that your patient understands their home-care regime, you can make use of other approaches, like using visual aids to explain a tricky concept or demonstrating how medicines should be consumed and at what dosage level.

For more useful information visit the Unilever Health website.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/61021618551/doctors-and-patients-tips-for-effective-communication

How to secure your Continuing Professional Development: CPD

As a medical practitioner, one is inundated with a constant flurry of tasks that come with a demanding work schedule. One of these responsibilities is to provide the best quality medical care for your patients.

For medical practitioners, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential as well as mandatory. Not only is it vital in expanding one’s medical knowledge and professional competence, but it ensures that patients receive correct, quality medical treatment and care. Without CPD, health care professionals would find themselves stagnant in their positions without educating themselves in medical advancements and services thereby failing in their duty to the public.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/61021275833/as-a-medical-practitioner-one-is-inundated-with-a

Cape Floral Kingdom Expo

The beauty of the Cape has been immortalised by many a photography coffee table book worldwide. If you cannot make it to this event, there are many truly beautiful places you can visit and stay at along the Breede River with many attractions to keep you busy and entertained. Mudlark River Lodge is situated along the Breede River at the point where it merges with the Indian Ocean. Complement your stay by visiting The De Hoop Marine and Nature Reserve, an oasis of wildlife and vegetation, is a World Heritage Site and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Walk through the reserve and encounter eland and zebra or bird watch some of the 260 species that live there.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/58916091614/visit-the-astounding-cape-floral-kingdom-expo-the

Chef Andrew Atkinson’s Chicken Pie

When he is not busy helping amateur cooks fulfil their dreams, Andrew serves as the Executive Chef at the famous Michaelangelo Hotel in Sandton. As any chef worth his spices knows, uncomplicated dishes are some of the best around. Below is Chef Andrew’s recipe for home-style chicken pie – the perfect meal for a cold wintry evening or a lazy Sunday afternoon.







Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/58915954668/masterchef-south-africa-judge-and-chef-andrew

History of Kalkbay

In the 18th century, the Dutch East Indian Trading Company used Kalk Bay to transport goods to Cape Town, predominantly lime or ‘kalk’ in Dutch; which soon became the bay’s name. By 1795, the British gained control of the Cape and Kalk Bay turned into a whaling station. By the 1830s, the whales had been hunted into near extinction while many immigrants of Spanish, Filipino and Malaysian descent had settled in Kalk Bay as fishermen.

False Bay was an ample fishing ground, letting the immigrants become entrenched members of the town and establishing a Filipino diaspora. A Spanish-speaking Irish priest called Father Duignam built a large church and convent called St James, after Spain’s patron saint. While the church has since been destroyed, St James is now the name of the village where it once stood.

By 1883, the railway reached Kalk Bay and affluent families from Cape Town’s suburbs made their holiday homes there. Thus, Kalk Bay transformed itself from a small fishing hamlet to a place vibrant with tourism and market growth. Notable residents included Count Labia and Cecil John Rhodes who made their homes around the ‘millionaire’s mile’ of St James, a few kilometres away.

Today, St James is a stop along  the Rovos Rail journey and is home to some of the best guesthouses in the Cape.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/58915761426/the-unique-history-of-kalk-bay-ask-anyone-to

Sishebo Recipe - Spicy Moroccan vegetable

Nothing unites a family quite like a lekker meal filled with goodness and nutrients, but it can often be difficult to get just the right balance of flavours in order to create a tasty meal. Thankfully, we have Perfect Sishebo – South Africa’s most trusted brand when it comes to cooking the most delicious, hearty, spicy stews.

Meal times are important in every home, as it gives families time to bond and reconnect after a busy day. Make your meal time a perfect one by combining flavours from different parts of the world. Zesty, juicy Moroccan flavours meet spicy, fiery South African ones in this yummy balance of chickpeas, vegetables and spices, creating yet another Perfect Sishebo moment.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/58899344506/spicy-moroccan-vegetable-sishebo

Healing through horse riding

Studies have shown that by working with animals, people who are disabled or have been through serious trauma can improve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social skills. One of the most popular, successful and fun methods is through therapeutic horse riding.

Afton Grove  is a country retreat in Noordhoek which supports an organisation that uses this approach; SARDA, the South African Riding for the Disabled Association. SARDA was started by Belinda Sampson and Joy Finlay in 1973 in Cape Town. Today, SARDA has branches in Noordhoek, Port Elizabeth, Durban and the Highveld.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/58843604076/studies-have-shown-that-by-working-with-animals