HOW TO STOP HOSPITALS FROM KILLING US

By: Marty Makary

Published: The Wall Street Journal; September 21, 2012; http://online.wsj.com

Level of Difficulty: ***

BEFORE YOU READ

-          How frequent do you imagine medical errors to be?

-          What do you base your opinion on?

-          Has anyone you know been the victim of a medical error?

-          What safeguards to you recommend to reduce medical errors?

NOTE TO THE STUDENT

Take notes as you read concerning the reasons for the problem, the effects of the problem and the solutions. You will be using these notes for the writing task.

QUESTIONS

Read carefully as far as “Online Dashboards”

1. The purpose of comparing plane crashes and medical mistakes is to draw attention to a surprising fact. It is: .........................................................................................................
2. A lot of doctors break the oath they take on starting the profession because of: .................
3. How would you express the purpose of paragraph three? Use your own words.
4. What does “this” refer to in the sentence “It doesn’t have to be this way”?
5. Why was a famous surgeon nicknamed Doctor Hodad? Use your own words.
6. Despite his poor operating skills, Doctor Hodad was very popular. This was due to .................
7. Doctors’ reaction to whistle blowing is explained in detail in paragraph seven. What is the ultimate aim of doctors in acting as they do? You will need to use your own words.

Read “Online Dashboards carefully.

8. The writer proves that success ratings are not a completely alien concept. He does this by mentioning: .......................................................................................................................
9. The example of the New York hospitals is discussed to support the contention that ...............

Read “Safety Culture Scores” carefully.

10. Focus on the example at the beginning of the section. The nurse had the confidence to speak up and voice her concern because that hospital probably had .................................................
11. The two reasons why the writer prefers videos over notes are .................................................
12. What conclusion can we draw from the example of the colonoscopy and that of hand washing?

Read “Open Notes” carefully.

13. Select the odd one out: Open notes are advocated :

a.       So that patients can better understand the reasons for the procedures and treatment recommended.

b.      So that doctors don’t miss any information the patients provide.

c.       So that patients can have online access to doctors’ notes

d.      So that good communication between doctors and patients can be ensured.

Read “No More Gagging” carefully.

14. The banning of the gag order will provide much greater ...................................................
15. What are the three advantages of the above?

WRITING TASK

Use the notes you made while reading each section to write a summary of the text.

HOW TO STOP HOSPITALS KILLING US KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This is a brilliant little text concerning a global issue which lends itself beautifully to summary practice. I am sure there must be videos you can watch beforehand on the internet. I would also expect there to be lively discussions.

1. Medical mistakes kill enough people each week to fill four jumbo jets.
2. An unspoken rule: to overlook mistakes of their colleagues.
3. Possible answer: to indicate how serious the problem is/ the gravity of the situation.
4. It doesn’t have to miss the mark this often.
5. Possible answer: Because he killed or otherwise injured a lot of his patients.
6. His impeccable bedside manner.
7. To damage (attack or harm) the whistle blower’s reputation; OR To prevent him from getting a job. To get him called to the hospital chairman’s office won’t do. We don’t know what happens there.
8. A survey of New Yorkers that found that approximately 60% look up a restaurant’s performance ratings before going there.
9. Every hospital should have an online informational dashboard.
10. Good teamwork
11. They could be used for peer based quality improvement; they are a more substansive record for future doctors.
12. Doctors perform better when they know someone is checking their work
13. C
14. Transparency or dialogue
15. The cost crisis can be addressed; safer care can be delivered; how doctors are seen by the community can be improved.

POLAND'S STRATEGY

By: George Friedman

Published:  August 28, 2012; Stratfor, Geopolitical Weekly; http://www.stratfor.com . Alternatively, just google the title and author’s name.

Level of Difficulty: ****

BEFORE YOU READ

It is suggested that you seek out a video on Poland to watch before you actually start reading to familiarize yourself with the country and its history.

QUESTIONS

1.       Why has maintaining its identity and independence been especially hard for Poland?

2.       In paragraph two, the writer says Poland’s national strategy is colored by a basic sense of fear and desperation. Be specific. You will need to tweak the text for the ideal answer.

3.       Try and summarize paragraph three in one short sentence.

4.       What does “which” refer to in the phrase “after which it had to fight the Soviets” in paragraph four?

5.       What does the phrase “this root issue” at the end of paragraph five refer to?

6.       What fact facilitated the invasion of Poland throughout history? Be very specific.

7.       What does “This” at the beginning of paragraph nine refer to?

8.       The disadvantages of the above situation were eliminated by means of …………………………………

9.       The above move is only completely viable under two conditions. They are: ……………………………

10.   Germany’s reaction to the worsening crisis in the EU may impact Poland directly if ……………….

11.   Poland’s desire to try and found the Intermarium were similar to its reasons for desiring …………………………………………………………… Use your head and base your answer on what you have read thus far.

12.   According to the text, the US is likely to distance itself from what happens in Europe provided that ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

13.   The two reasons for the above US attitude are: ……………………………………………………………………

14.   Why didn’t Poland’s alliances save it in 1939?

15.   What would be the disadvantage of the collapse of Poland as far as the US is concerned?

16.   What does “This” refer to in the sentence “This is a question of economics and national will” at the beginning of paragraph twenty one?

17.   What similarity is there between Poland’s current attitude to the EU and NATO and that of the Polish nobility in the 18^th century? You may use your own words if you wish but it isn’t strictly necessary.

18.   The ultimate conclusion the text reaches concerning Poland’s future strategy is: ………………………………………….. Use your own words.

POLAND’S STRATEGY KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This is another of George Friedman’s brilliant pieces of writing. As you know from previous texts I have used by the same author, they are intricate, analytical texts which are any test writer’s dream. This is why I have given it four stars despite the relative straightforwardness of the language of the text itself. Look out for questions 3, 8, 9, 11, 17 and 18. You may need to provide guidance to help students see the logic. Plus of course, there is the added bonus of an enjoyable history lesson – a favorite with students.

1.       Because it is located on the oft-invaded North European plain.

2.       Losing to a superior power or a war begets national catastrophe.

3.       Possible answer: The decline of Poland from the 17^th to the late 18^th century was dramatic.

4.       The treaty of Versailles.

5.       Poland retaining its independence and avoiding foreign occupation.

6.       The fact that the lands to the East, West and Southwest are flat plains with only rivers to provide limited protection.

7.       Finding an outside power to guarantee its (Poland’s) interests.

8.       Membership in multilateral organizations such as the EU and NATO.

9.       Russia is weak and inwardly focused and NATO and the EU are reliable institutions.

10.   Germany, not wanting to shoulder the cost of maintaining the EU, loosens its ties with the block and moves closer to Russia.

11.   Close ties with NATO and the EU.

12.   The threat appears manageable.

13.   Its experiences in the Islamic world and the fact that it is maturing as a global power.

14.   The intervention took more time than the Polish army was able to buy

15.   It would deprive the US of a critical bulwark against Moscow on the European plain.

16.   (Mounting) a single front attack

17.   Poland fails to recognize that nations must ultimately guarantee their own national security.

18.   Possible answer: Poland must be prepared to spend a great deal of money to secure its defense to the East.

10 THINGS YOUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WON’T TELL YOU

By: Charles Wheelan

Published: The Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2012; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577366332400453796.html

Level of Difficulty: *

BEFORE YOU READ

Discuss what kind of advice you think a commencement speaker should offer.

QUESTIONS

1.       What was ironic about the writer’s first job on graduating? Use your own words

2.       What, according to the writer, is the most important mistake made in commencement speeches?

3.       Your time in fraternity basements and clubs was well spent because …………………………..Be very specific.

4.       What does "them” refer to in the phrase “Be prepared to work through them” in paragraph three?

5.       What, exactly, is the writer advising graduates to do in paragraph four?

a.       To serve society to the best of their abilities

b.      To be wary of overstepping certain boundaries

c.       To be regular players in the modern world of capitalism

6.       What are the writer’s views concerning married women and work? Why? You will need to tweak the text.

7.       The writer ends paragraph six with the following sentences: “Bob Smith died yesterday at the age of 74. He finished life in 186^th place”. What fact is the writer criticizing in these sentences? Be careful!

8.       Why did Theodore Roosevelt’s mother probably want him to be a doctor or a lawyer?

9.       In paragraph nine, what exactly is the writer advising you to do? Use your own words.

10.   According to the writer, there is a negative correlation between …………………………….and………………………………………………………..(you will need to tweak the text)

WRITING TASK

Write a paragraph expressing your opinions on what you have just read.

TEN THINGS YOUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WON’T TELL YOU KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This simple yet enjoyable little text allowed me to introduce some of our classic tricks in the questions. Look out for questions 1, 7 and 9; these will encourage students to think, and prepare them for the multiple choice questions you get on tests. There are a few vocabulary items you will have to explain but this is class work so where is the harm in that? All and all, should be challenging yet fun.

1.       Possible answer: He was writing speeches for 22 year olds but he was only 23 at the time.

2.       They are over-optimistic.

3.       One of the most important causal factors associated with happiness and well-being is your meaningful connections with other human beings.

4.       Periods of grinding self doubt and failure.

5.       B

6.       He is for it. You will be better off in life if you have a second economic oar in the water.

7.       The fact that life is becoming ridiculously structured and competitive.

8.       Because there is a natural instinct to protect our children from risk and discomfort.

9.       Possible answer: To balance various aspects of your life.

10.   Thinking about being great; becoming great.

THE GARDEN OF OUR NEGLECT: HOW HUMANS SHAPE THE EVOLUTION OF OTHER SPECIES

By: Rob Dunn

Published: Scientific American, July 5, 2012; http://www.scientificamerican.com ; alternatively, just google the article and writer’s name.

Level of difficulty: **

BEFORE YOU READ

Discuss how you feel mankind may have shaped the evolution of other species. Make a note of your ideas so as to be able to compare them with what you learn from the text.

QUESTIONS

1.       What two discoveries helped shape the course of human evolution?

2.       What does the phrase “these species” in paragraph two refer to?

3.       The extinction of many of the larger species on Earth is blamed on the human discovery of …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4.       The completely unique structure of the human hand is due to ……………………………………………

5.       The fishermen’s preference for large fish has resulted in …………………………………………………….

6.       Hundreds of bacterial lineages have developed resistance to modern drugs due mainly to what?

7.       It is stated in paragraph seven that “The virus that makes you sick is almost inevitably different than the one you give someone”. What is the basic reason for this? Be brief and specific.

8.       In paragraph eight it is stated that “2.3 kg of pesticides” are used annually to control pests. What has the result of this method of farming been? Be brief and specific.

9.       What are the two tactics employed by plants we call weeds to survive?

10.   The rapid evolution of tolerant and at least sometimes toxic creatures is due to ………………….and ……………………………….such as………………………………………………………………….

11.   What is neophobia? Use your own words.

12.   There is an evolutionary change taking place in rats which is also documented in the case of bacteria, wild plants and weeds. It is ………………………………………………… Use your own words.

13.   What does “this type of quick evolution” in paragraph nine refer to?

14.   Read paragraph ten carefully and summarize it in one sentence. Use your own words.

15.   Read the conclusion to the text. What advice does the writer offer mankind?

WRITING TASK

Summarize the text in a 100 to 150 words

THE GARDEN OF OUR NEGLECT: HOW HUMANS SHAPE THE EVOLUTION OF OTHER SPECIES KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This simple yet informative text offered me the opportunity to write some good careful reading questions albeit at a simple level. The task will enable students to grow accustomed to the reasoning behind careful reading questions. Question 6 is a tough one, questions 11 and 14 will prepare them for those multiple choice questions we get on tests (my version is harder), questions 7 and 8 will give them practice in synthesis. Because of all the common threads running through the text, it is a brilliant opportunity for summary practice. When they are all done, you might like to use a laptop and projector or the good old board to write one together. So all round, I am very pleased with this and hope you concur.

1.       Fire and tools

2.       A surprising number of resilient pests

3.     (First)  Stone weapons

4.       Tools or the use of tools

5.       Fishes evolving the ability to reproduce at a smaller size.

6.       Using antibiotics too much, too incompletely or too indiscriminately

7.       Viruses generally evolve even more quickly than bacteria.

8.       Resistance (to pesticides).

9.       The evolution of multiple lineages of weeds resembling our crops; resistance to herbicides.

10.   PCB, many of our pollutants, heavy metals, cadmium, oil and others.

11.   Possible answer: Being unwilling to try new food.

12.   Resistance to chemicals used to exterminate them. This answer should cover not just rats but bacteria, weeds and wild plants too. It is all encompassing.

13.   Producing fewer larger seeds that fall near them.

14.   Possible answer: Animals that humans have moved to different parts of the world have evolved to adapt to their new habitats.

15.   It is time to use our knowledge of evolution and its well worn paths to cultivate a new garden as we plan our future, one seeded with species that benefit rather than harm us.