News

[13.12.2011] The College of Medicine today opens the 2012 Michael Pittilo Student Essay Award.

In its third year, the 2012 essay title is; ‘In the context of constricted health budgets and a rapidly growing population of service users with multiple chronic conditions, what strategies can we as health practitioners use to encourage healthy ageing?

This competition is open to all students in the UK, studying a clinical healthcare subject at undergraduate level or above including; dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, the allied health professions, and voluntary or statutory regulated CAM therapies.

Dr Michael Dixon, Chairman of the College of Medicine said, “We are delighted that the Michael Pittilo Essay Award is now in its third year and that it continues to embody Professor Pittilo’s inclusive vision recognising diverse clinical approaches. The integration of science (biomedical and psychosocial) with clinical intuition and judgement, along with the beliefs and wishes of the patient is essential in order to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

“Last year’s competition, which focused on obesity treatment and prevention, was a huge success with over 70 entries from students from across the UK representing a broad range of healthcare disciplines.

“2012’s award addresses healthy ageing in challenging times. It is also the theme of the College’s annual conference next May. In view of comparatively fewer health resources to care for the ageing population, new perspectives on health and ageing must be prioritised within the public health agenda. New solutions will need to encompass therapeutic medicine but also extend to self care and healthier communities if we are to create a sustainable health service.”

The award winner will receive a cash prize, the chance to present at the College of Medicine’s Annual Conference at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London on 3rd May.

The winning essay will also be published in October’s edition of the International Therapist Journal

Deadline for submission is 6pm on 13th April 2012. For more information and how to enter, visit www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk/students

-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
1. For any enquiries please contact Kate Fismer (kate.fismer@collegeofmedicine.org.uk).
2. The College of Medicine was launched on 28th October 2010. It is committed to a patient-centred NHS and a new relationship between science, clinical opinion and patient choice and perspective. It is also committed to a more cost-effective NHS providing better opportunities for individual and community health and self care, which reduces the service and financial load of the NHS. www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk
3. The Award, first launched in 2010, is in memory of Professor Michael Pittilo, vice-chancellor of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen who chaired a series of Department of Health working groups on the regulation of practitioners of herbal medicine and acupuncture, who sadly died in February 2010.
4. The International Therapist Journal is the membership journal for the Federation of Holistic Therapists. For more information visit http://www.fht.org.uk/
5. The Michael Pittilo Student Essay Award is an annual event, coordinated by the College of Medicine for healthcare students. To find out more about the College’s student initiatives join the online student forum at http://collegeofmedicinestudents.ning.com/