Medicine Unboxed

Adam Kay choruses Medicine Unboxed on anaesthetists and the machine that goes beep, the perils of smoking, the downside of stammering and Iranian Men.

Richard Horton, Iona Heath and Jane Macnaughton discuss the interface between patient and healthcare professionals and the way that insight and technical facts play out in the consultation.

Questions from the audience for Richard Horton, Iona Heath and Jane Macnaughton on the role of health economics, medical science, the question of valid knowledge in medicine and the nature of communication between doctor and patient.

Adam Kay performs 'I Know Hymns So Well', 'OCD', 'My Gordon Brown-Eyed Girl', 'Ain't No Sunshine', 'The Girl with Emphysema', 'The Son of a Pizza Man' and 'A Lot Like Jesus'.

Rhidian Brook and Richard Holloway discuss faith, uncertainty, dogma, science and theology with Sam Guglani at Medicine Unboxed 2012.

Questions from the Medicine Unboxed 2012 audience for Rhidian Brook and Richard Holloway on religious conviction and patient care, the nature of truth and hope, and the role of 'consoling fiction' in managing conversations about death.

Sam Guglani interviews novelist, journalist and broadcaster Sebastian Faulks, author of The Girl at the Lion d'Or, Birdsong, and Charlotte Gray.

Questions from the Medicine Unboxed audience for Sebastian Faulks on lies and fiction in the medical encounter, his account of mental illness in 'Human Traces', the character of Stephen in 'Birdsong' and narrative and storytelling in consultation.

'Doctor' Adam Kay teaches us how to successfully set up in private practice avoiding extensive medical training, student loans and expensive medical equipment.

"We are all patients - open to being coerced, and uncertain in a position of vulnerability" says Sam Guglani, closing the first day of Medicine Unboxed 2012.

From the starting point that the 21st century will be defined by the management of public expectations, Professor Matthew Flinders argues that some parts of society have become democratically decadent - better at expressing their rights rather than demonstrating their responsibilities. He invites us to step into the arena and make a difference - rather than heckling from the sidelines.

Richard Horton, Colin Leys, Clare Short and Matthew Flinders deliver short position statements on health and justice at Medicine Unboxed 2012.

Questions for Colin Leys, Clare Short, Richard Horton and Matthew Flinders on the need for time in health, the collection and use of information, the market-led NHS, the medical media and how to take effective action in the public sector.

The Medicine Unboxed 2012 closing session on Communicating with the Public with contributions from Ray Tallis, Iona Health, Gabriel Scally and Sean Elyan.

Sam Guglani talks to Ray Tallis, Iona Health, Gabriel Scally and Sean Elyan about how medicine is communicated, the hiatus of understanding of the patient context and the erosion of trust in medicine and medical professionals.

Questions on how to improve patient communication, listening to the authentic voice of patients, and realising and clarifying the goals of medicine.