Jo Skinner

1 week ago | medicalrepublic.com.au | Jo Skinner

Attitudes haven't changed enough for victims to speak up. Twenty years ago, I worked in a regional town in NSW and volunteered to be on call to do the forensic examinations of women who had been sexually assaulted. It meant carrying a pager with me 24/7, but in the two and a half years I did this job, I was only called up six times. Given we know that nearly a quarter of women have been the victim of assault, I was shocked how few presented. Not one of the six pressed charges.

2 weeks ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

There is now a much broader acceptance of mental health disorders, which has rightly reduced stigma and encouraged robust discussion about conditions previously considered shameful. But a recent study undertaken by the University of Melbourne suggests there is an increasing tendency to pathologise normal emotions and experiences. Words matter.

2 months ago | puffnstuff.com.au | Jo Skinner

A childhood illness inspired her career choice, but medicine always had a rival … At the primary school I attended, there was a plinth in the foyer with a statue of an ANZAC soldier poised on top. One day, the school was advised that there was a time capsule hidden inside and the entire school gathered around the plinth for a ceremonial unveiling to see what it contained.

2 months ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

However, it is Dr Edward Jenner who is regarded as the pioneer of vaccination when he realised that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox. In 1796, he famously inoculated an-eight-year-old, James Phipps with material from a cowpox sore. Two months later Jenner inoculated James with smallpox. James did not get infected and is considered the first human to be vaccinated.

2 months ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

I pulled the pin on work when Alfred’s arrival became imminent and waited at home with my family, our emergency plans in place. When Alfred reached the suburbs, the streets were soon awash, with trees felled by wind and power cut to 300,000 homes. We got off lightly — no power and no internet for two days. Others waited a week or more for power to be restored, while many lost their homes and personal possessions. It was back to business as usual the following week.