Andrew Papanikitas is Deputy Editor of the BJGP and a GP in Oxford. He is on X: @gentlemedic
Dear readers,
Seasons Greetings to one and all!
In previous years we have shared party games and factoids for sharing in dinner table conversation. This year I’d like to focus on the idea that medicine, and general practice in particular, might be an engine of peace, and instrument of health and wellbeing. ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ embodied in meaningful professional activity.
Irrespective of religious holidays, people are trying to get by and to survive austere circumstances both globally and locally.
Do They Know It’s Christmas? is a charity song written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The sentiment behind this song comes from a good place, but I find its title challenging. Christmas is not the only religious festival taking place during winter, and Christianity not the only world faith. Irrespective of religious holidays, people are trying to get by and to survive austere circumstances both globally and locally. Peace on earth and goodwill to all require security and shelter.
This year, Trevor Thompson reflects on I Shall Not Hate, a Gaza doctor’s autobiography and manifesto for medicine as an engine of peace. The book itself was given to him as a gift in response to discussions about the state of the world.
Closer to home, we can all feel a bit exhausted at this time of the year. Ben Hoban shares a submission on behalf of a visiting practitioner from the wintry north, who’s thinking of retiring and is seeking someone with similar values to take the reins, ‘someone who’s good with people and isn’t fazed by big dogs or messy living rooms, who can think on their feet and get things done without getting tied up in red tape’.
In the UK, Christmas at home is often characterised by the phenomenon of the ‘Repeat.’
In the UK, Christmas at home is often characterised by the phenomenon of the ‘Repeat.’ Reading is not just about curling up with a book or journal article, but about ideas shared and discussed — over a winter gathering perhaps? Alex Burrell offers a festive edition of Yonder, taking in wishbones’ efficacy (in granting wishes), gifts from patients, and Christmas Ozempic advertising. I also discuss six books to read, give, or talk about during the festive season. For the last couple of years we’ve had a BJGP tradition of reviewing some book-ish stocking fillers, books to give to those we love (and/or work with), books to read in quiet moments and on cold nights, and books to talk about at gatherings.
In the UK, Christmas at home is often characterised by the phenomenon of the ‘Repeat.’ Television schedules and media streaming services offer classic seasonal movies such as Its a wonderful life, Miracle on 34th Street, Die Hard and Gremlins. The ‘radio’ (if it can be called this anymore) is flooded with carols going back a thousand years, and pop songs from the 1980s. We write to old friends on cards depicting winter scenes. Nostalgia is everywhere.
So when the party games or clinical shifts are over and the armchair or sofa beckons…
Some Christmas ‘Cracker’ reading from our own miscellany:
- https://bjgplife.com/miscellany/
- https://bjgplife.com/imaginary/
- https://bjgplife.com/vulnerability/
- https://bjgplife.com/grieving-for-a-lost-christmas-cake/
- https://bjgplife.com/a-christmas-cracker-from-bjgp-life-party-games/ (Contains an actual party game!)
- https://bjgplife.com/its-a-wonderful-gp-life-part-1/
- https://bjgplife.com/a-bjgp-christmas-carol-part-one/
- https://bjgplife.com/storytime-as-a-vehicle-for-reflective-practice-part-2-the-christmas-commercial/
- https://bjgplife.com/the-rcgp-saves-the-world-in-time-for-christmas-again/
- https://bjgplife.com/five§-woke-ish-stocking-fillers/
Some Christmas ‘Cracker’ listening:
- https://bjgplife.com/the-bjgp-christmas-stocking-filler-podcast/
- https://bjgplife.com/a-christmas-reflection/
A Merry Christmas from the team at BJGP Life! Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whether the season of good will for you is rooted in Christianity, another world faith, or none, I hope you find comfort, joy and renewal.
Featured photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
