Latest news with #healthcaresystem
South China Morning Post
12-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
South Korean medical students end walkout, urge education reforms, healthcare system overhaul
South Korean medical students who walked out of school last year in protest at a government plan to increase medical school admissions said on Saturday that they would return to campus, calling on authorities to normalise academic schedules. The Korean Medical Association (KMA), the main lobby group for doctors, in a statement urged the government to take steps to restore the academic calendar and improve training conditions. 'We will place our trust in the government and parliament and commit to returning to school to help normalise medical education and the healthcare system,' the KMA said in the statement, issued jointly with parliament's education committee and lobby groups representing medical students. A specific timeline for the return was not provided. 03:04 South Korean patients suffer as healthcare system in turmoil amid doctor protest South Korean patients suffer as healthcare system in turmoil amid doctor protest Thousands of medical students walked out of school in early 2024 in opposition to a plan by the previous administration to add thousands of new spots at medical schools.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Children's social media activity ‘highlights stress of living with health issue'
Children with multiple long-term health issues undergo severe emotional stress at the same time as they are trying to cope with the physical challenges of their conditions, a study has found. Research led by the University of Plymouth used AI language models to analyse sentiments and emotions expressed by almost 400 paediatric patients and their caregivers on social media. In particular, they wanted to assess young people's opinions regarding their care and experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact that had on their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Using anonymous data sourced from the Care Opinion platform, they found that of the narratives analysed, almost 94% of the comments posted were classed as negative and less than 6% were positive. More than six out of 10 negative comments were classed as being associated with sadness, with feelings of fear – at almost one in every six comments – also being prevalent. Children with conditions such as cancer, asthma, chronic pain and mental health conditions showed particularly high emotional distress, highlighting the emotional burden of managing multiple long-term health issues. The Covid-19 pandemic was also shown to exacerbate the negative sentiments, particularly sadness and disgust, with patients expressing frustration with the healthcare system while isolation and disrupted care routines triggered intense emotional responses. While just 6% of the comments were classed as positive, the study found that most of them related to effective communication, compassionate care, and successful treatment outcomes. The researchers say the study highlights the importance of supporting vulnerable young patients managing complex medical conditions, and the need for integrated care approaches to both physical and emotional well-being. Professor of e-Health Shang-Ming Zhou led the research, and its data analysis was carried out by MSc data science and business analytics student Israel Oluwalade. Prof Zhou, a recognised expert in the use of AI to analyse health data, said: 'To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to analyse the sentiments and emotions of paediatric patients using social media data. 'Our findings bring to light the deeply emotional journey patients with multiple long-term health issues go through and fills a critical gap in knowledge for healthcare professionals and agencies. 'It also highlights the disproportionate emotional burden faced by paediatric patients with multiple health issues and their caregivers during the pandemic, showing the need for targeted interventions to address emotional responses during public health emergencies.' Mr Oluwalade added: 'As I worked through the dataset, I was particularly struck by how clearly children's emotional responses aligned with specific comorbidity patterns. 'For example, fear and sadness were especially dominant among those discussing multiple hospital visits or long-term medication. 'What also surprised me most was the unexpectedly high frequency of 'satisfaction' and 'amazement' in posts referencing kind staff or successful treatment episodes. 'It reminded me how digital expressions can reflect not only distress but also resilience and hope, even among young patients with complex conditions.' – The study, Comorbidities and emotions – unpacking the sentiments of paediatric patients with multiple long-term conditions through social media feedback: A large language model-driven study, is published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Vancouver Island family hopes son's preventable death can motivate meaningful changes to healthcare
The parents of a young Vancouver Island boy who died in hospital are calling for urgent systemic changes. The parents of a young Vancouver Island boy who died in hospital are calling for urgent systemic changes. Eleven-year-old Brayden Robbins, described as vibrant and active, died as a result of excess fluid and a bleed on his brain last November. The Comox boy's family says the tragedy was entirely preventable. 'We do not want any other child to suffer like Brayden did,' his mother, Nikki Robbins, told CTV Tuesday. Robbins, a nurse of 25 years, wants changes to the healthcare system that she says failed her son. The recommended changes include better training and staffing levels in pediatric medicine, and family centred care that involves healthcare workers listening to the advocacy of children's families. 'I have dedicated my whole career to improving healthcare and trying to make it better, and here I am as a family member who has been a part of a healthcare system that has failed,' said Robbins. Brayden was born with mild cerebral palsy and had a series of brain surgeries that allowed him to live an active, regular life. OnNov. 12, when he suddenly developed tingling in his face, severe head and neck pain and a tilted head, he was taken to Comox Valley Hospital. Despite his symptoms and history, he was sent home with pain killers but without a CT scan or further care. 'Not at any point did anyone say to us, 'what do we need to know about Brayden so that we can give him the best care possible?',' notes Robbins. Six days later, his condition had deteriorated. He was screaming in pain. 'On the way to the hospital, Brayden told us he was dying,' said his mother. Again, despite advocacy from his parents, it took five hours for a CT scan, that diagnosed the brain bleed, to be administered. But it was too late, especially with no pediatrician there and emergency transport to a bigger hospital unavailable for hours. Brayden died the next morning. 'Things that were not in place, that should have been in place, that would have given Brayden a better chance of survival,' said Robbins, holding back tears Tuesday. The family wrote to Health Minister Josie Osborne June 23, seeking a meeting. They hadn't heard back by Monday, so their local MLA, B.C. Conservative Brennan Day, amplified their concerns with an additional letter to Osborne Tuesday. 'We know the system is fraying around the edges and we're feeling it, based on reporting from across the province, most acutely in pediatrics and ERs,' said Day, Tuesday. Osborne released a statement late Tuesday afternoon that said, 'We must learn from tragic cases like these and do everything possible to avoid another family having to go through what Brayden's family is experiencing. It is critical that a thorough review is completed to examine what happened and how the system can do better.' The statement said a 'multi-agency review' of Brayden's case is already underway, including Island Health, BC Emergency Health Services, BC Children's Hospital, and Child Health BC. 'It is my expectation that the family's input be a part of this review. Action has also already been taken to strengthen BCEHS' capacity to transport patients in need with the addition of a new night shift Critical Care Paramedic operating in the region, as of July 1st.' Robbins told CTV late Tuesday she spoke with Osborne's office, and they have agreed to a Zoom meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Robbins is happy to hear about the addition of a new night paramedic shift in the Comox region. However, she is disappointed to have learned about the new shift through the media, not the healthcare system. Also, she said her family was never consulted about the review. Robbins welcomes Wednesday's meeting, and hopes the loss of her son can motivate meaningful changes to the system. 'We are our worst nightmare. Our lives will never be the same without our son, he was everything to us,' she said.
