The research was done with special thanks to Dr Susi Caesar, Miss Gill Watson, and Mrs Jools Mumford who are all part of the Wessex Appraisal Service.

This research addresses questions about protected characteristics with honesty and transparency. The aim was to produce an equality and diversity factsheet that would help to inform Wessex Appraisal Services.

We know that the healthcare profession tends to attract diversity and the findings from this research show doctors in Dorset and Hampshire are more ethnically diverse (23%) compared to the population (4.4%) as well as Nationally (13%).

We hope that through these results doctors would be able to recognise they have shared characteristics thus they are not alone.

Health Education England Fellowship Project on Diversity within the Wessex Appraisal Service

Read up more about the research:

https://www.wessexappraisal.org/doesappraiserdiversityreflectthosetheyserve

https://www.wessexappraisal.org/drnkolikaanyabolu

https://www.wessexappraisal.org/

Source:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/

There are different types of painting surfaces or supports that can be used for painting e: g canvas, hard board, paper or even a wall.

I have tried out all sorts of painting surfaces or supports and as much as I regretted using some I enjoyed using others. In a world of personal discoveries, I feel the one riddled with mistakes is the more exciting one. I have made a lot of mistakes and wasted a lot of paint.

But as difficult as it may seem, I am grateful for them all as they have made me a better artist than I was 10 years ago.

I paint with mostly oil paint and acrylic paint so I would naturally emphasize more on the painting surfaces that could be used for the 2. I will give a very brief note on the painting surface that could be used for watercolour.

Bear in mind there are so many types of painting media so the best thing is to figure out which one you are more comfortable with and focus on that.

Painting surfaces or supports for Oil Painting:

Oil paint is my favourite painting medium (the reason being it is so forgiving and flexible; 2 things an artist who is learning on the job needs!). Oil paint can be applied to almost any surface if it has been prepared adequately.  

The process of preparing a surface for oil painting is called priming.

To prime, a surface simply means to apply a coat to a surface to prepare it for paint. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.

You may want to read this article on the different Oil painting techniques.

Surfaces that can be used for oil painting include:

1. Canvas (stretched and primed).

2. Chipboard.

3. Pinewood.

4. Raw linen canvas.

5. Cardboards.

6. Composite woods (e:g hardboard, blockboard)

The most popular painting surface or support for oil painting is canvas. It can be bought ready stretched and primed or it can be bought in the raw form ready for priming and stretching.

I buy ready primed canvas in large rolls (as they are cheaper!) and either use them like that or apply 1 or 2 extra layers of primer before I use them.

Painting Surfaces or Supports for Acrylic Painting:

Acrylic paint is very beautiful but can be very annoying and frustrating to use. Somehow when I was starting off in my world of painting I thought acrylic paint could be applied to any surface (I do not know where I got that notion!); but I soon discovered it is not true.

Though it can adhere to many surfaces; it is best to avoid surfaces that are oily or contain wax.

I particularly enjoy the versatility of acrylic paint as it can be used on cardboard, plywood, chipboard, hardboard, canvas boards or canvas cloths, watercolour paper and canvas paper.

Any untreated cotton or linen will accept acrylic as well as wood, plaster works, earthenware or concrete. This is what I consider the most beautiful quality of acrylic paint.

Painting Surfaces or Supports for WATERCOLOUR:

I remember the paintings I did with watercolour while in high school. I loved them and I admire watercolour paintings. They are so bright and lively and watercolour is a very clean medium to use. But I still haven’t gotten around to using it again.

Quite frankly I feel in order to use watercolour; one has to go to a special school where skills like patience and enduring frustrations can be learnt.  Guess I might give it a shot sooner or later.

The painting surface or support for watercolour is paper.

Generally, the papers used for watercolour are white or slightly tinted. Most watercolour papers need to be stretched. This prevents the paper from puckering.

To start with you will be safe enough if you buy any paper which says it is suitable for watercolour.

I have painted on hardboard, canvas, paper, suede cloth,  pinewood and earthenware. The bottom line is I have tried out anything worth trying and I love the different effects the different surfaces can give to a painting.

Which painting surface you choose to use is really all dependent on you!

You can start with anything whatsoever, so long as it is free of oil and wax (if using acrylic paint) or prepared to accept oil paint (primed). The painting surfaces I listed above are just a list of the very many different surfaces you could try out.

When I started painting with oil paint and acrylic paint, I often restricted myself to the “well known” surfaces which “professionals” used; not because I loved them but because that was what everyone seemed to be using.

But over time I have learnt to use anything whatsoever I felt comfortable with and I have produced some really remarkable works through that.

Confidence and guts are the keys you need to start painting!

As a doctor, I have come across diseases that present in “atypical” ways. At such times, textbook knowledge becomes useless and you rely more on gut feelings and experience to get you through. The same thing applies to art and painting.

There are times when “atypical” methods and surfaces produce remarkable results. Again, confidence and guts are the keys!

I hope you’ll find the courage to step out and try something different. Dare to be different!

All the very best and remember your limits can only be set by you.
 

Acrylic paint is very beautiful but can be very annoying and frustrating to use. Somehow when I was starting off in my world of painting I thought acrylic paint could be applied to any surface (I do not know where I got that notion!), but I soon discovered it is not true.

Though it can adhere to many surfaces; it is best to avoid surfaces that are oily or contain wax.

Fast forward 25 years and after lots of trials and error mixed with lots of research and discussions with other artists I can confidently say that Acrylic is one of the most versatile painting media available.

Acrylic paint can be used on

• Paper (Any type of paper would accept acrylic paint)

• Wood

• Canvas

• Ceramic

• Glass

• Stone, brick for murals

Before applying Acrylic paint to any surface it is advisable to prepare the surface with an Acrylic based primer. These are available in different sizes and are essential for working with Acrylic.

You can browse a wide selection here.

Canvases can be bought ready stretched and primed or they can be bought in the raw form ready for priming and stretching.

I often buy ready primed canvas in large rolls (as they are cheaper!) and either use them like that or apply 1 or 2 extra layers of primer before I use them.

Canvases are also available as canvas boards or panels which are much more sturdy and do not need stretching. There is a large variety of sizes to choose from.

Canvas sheets, pads and blocks are a very cheap alternative to stretched canvas, panels and boards. They are easy to cut to size and perfect for experimenting with colours or trying out new techniques.

I remember the paintings I did with Watercolour while in high school. I loved them and I have never forgotten how magical the experience was.

Though I have not worked with them since high school I still greatly admire watercolour paintings.

They are so bright and lively because generally, Watercolour is a very clean medium to use. It is not as messy as Oil or Acrylic and there are no solvents to work with thus making it very safe and child friendly too.

Quite frankly I feel in order to use watercolour; one has to go to a special school where skills like patience and enduring frustrations can be learned.  Guess I might give it a shot sooner or later.

The painting surface or support for watercolour is paper.

Generally, the papers used for watercolour are white or slightly tinted. Most watercolour papers need to be stretched. This prevents the paper from puckering.

To start with you will be safe enough if you buy any paper which says it is suitable for watercolour.

Best to visit art stores online to check out the various types of Watercolour paper available and other materials needed for working with watercolour.

 All the very best and remember your limits can only be set by you.
  

This video shows the painting of a Field of Daisies while painting with Acrylics. Hope you enjoy it.Website: https://nkolikaanyabolu.comTwitter: https://twit...

This video shows the painting of a village while painting with Acrylics. Hope you enjoy it.Website: https://nkolikaanyabolu.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/a...

See blog post on Painting of a Village Scene: Step by step demonstration.

From the day you were conceived I knew you were destined for greatness.

From the very beginning, you have shown great tenacity and determination.

Always keen to do things yourself from putting your clothes on yourself even when your hands were too small and head too big to get your clothes through; you would insist.

Fail you would but it never stopped you from trying again. This has continued in so many ways.

From a very young age, you have always taken to drawing and painting. Your drawings showed so much imagination and intuition. Every day you would keep busy with whatever paper you could lay your hands on.

The day I saw your work on full display was the proudest day of my life. You have in such a short time achieved what I have been trying to achieve all my life.

I know this is just the beginning for you and the stars would always remain your limit.

This photo is the road sign designed using my daughter's entry into a road safety competition organized by the Borough of Poole promoting safety in a school zone.

Being just 4 years old at the time and still in foundation I felt she was a bit too young so I tried to get my older daughter to create a picture but she was not very keen and wanted to do something else.

Try as I could I couldn't persuade her to be interested.

Her baby sister who was sitting there seemed so keen and I decided to let her try after listening carefully to my description of what was needed she went ahead and stunned me with her imagination and creativity.  

I was not the only one who was impressed by her work because I work ended up being selected and has been adorning the road to her school since 2016.

Well done lil one!

Hope you enjoy it.

This video shows the painting of a Flower bed while painting with Acrylics. This is a speed painting from the beginning to the end. Hope you enjoy it.Website...

According to Wikipedia

Brownsea Castle, also known historically as Branksea Castle, was originally a Device Fort constructed by Henry VIII between 1545 and 1547 to protect Poole Harbour in Dorset, England, from the threat of French attack.

Located on Brownsea Island, it comprised a stone blockhouse with a hexagonal gun platform. It was garrisoned by the local town with six soldiers and armed with eight artillery pieces. The castle remained in use after the original invasion scare had passed and was occupied by Parliament during the English Civil War of the 1640s. By the end of the century, however, it had fallen into disuse.

In 1726 the castle was converted into a private residence by William Benson, despite complaints from the town of Poole. Benson and the subsequent owners extended the original blockhouse to form a country house, landscaping the surrounding island to create ornamental gardens and lakes.

This is a speed painting demo of the painting of Brownsea castle as seen from Sandbanks in Poole.Website: https://nkolikaanyabolu.comTwitter: https://twitter...

Brownsea Castle was purchased by Mary Bonham-Christie in 1927. She allowed the property to fall into disrepair and by the time of her death in 1961, it was in a very poor condition. It was then purchased by the National Trust and leased to the John Lewis Partnership, who restored it over many years.

In the 21st century, it is still used by the Partnership as a corporate hotel for their employees and retired staff.

The Health Hour raises awareness about prevention, early detection, effective self-care and self-management.

The topic was Flu and Asthma. I used the platform to highlight the importance of understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and management of these conditions.

Given the fact we are currently experiencing a surge in COVID cases, I used the opportunity to highlight the common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share, which include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/having chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Sore throat, Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headache
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Change in or loss of taste or smell, although this is more frequent with COVID-19

The British Lung Foundation states that 5.4 million people in the UK are receiving treatment for Asthma. Social deprivation is a well-known risk factor that may increase the likelihood of the development or persistence of Asthma.

Annually, Asthma causes an estimated 250,000 deaths worldwide. Thus, in my talk, I emphasised the complications of Flu and Asthma while pointing out the importance of getting vaccinated.

Finally, I dedicated the talk to the memory of Ella Kissi-Debrah, the beautiful 9-year-old who died in 2013 from the complications of Asthma.

The more we come together to raise awareness about health inequalities and social deprivation, the more we can empower the members of our communities to seek help when required.

Get in touch if you would like me to give a talk to the members of your community.

These were in the form of personal one to one conversations and webinar sessions.

I was able to draw on my experiences as a GP / Family Physician, COVID 19 Emergency Practitioner for the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, as well as from new insights gained when I completed the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London course on COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus.

The COVID19 Q&A webinar session was a panel discussion with the panel made up of health and community experts from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Egpyt and Ghana. The panel was put together by the BAME Health Collaborative, a UK Charity Organisation whose focus is on giving back through policy innovation, research, collaboration and BAME voices sharing life-changing healthcare experiences.

I went on to organise an educational session for the members of the Igbo Community in Dorset. A small community to which I belong. The session was aimed at understanding the facts and dispelling the myths about the COVID vaccine.

Prior to the session, the members of the community were invited to share the questions they had about the vaccine, as well as any myths they had. This was done via WhatsApp and a list was collated as shown below.

Questions and Myths about the COVID Vaccine

1. Is it true that they will change my DNA?

2. Is it true it was made using aborted babies?

3. Will I get the mark of the devil if I get vaccinated?

4. They were produced too quickly, are they safe?

5. Population tested during the vaccine trial represents a very small fraction of the world population. Surely there are people who may react negatively to the vaccine. How can this be avoided?

6. Is this safe for pregnant women/nursing mothers?

7. is it true that the vaccine may create HIV antibodies and if so, is this good or bad?

8. Considering the vaccine production was rushed, have the long term effects been studied? What if people develop fertility issues In the long run or even worse, turn into Zombies 🧟‍♂️  🧟‍♀️

9. Can you still get the virus after the vaccine (Pathogenic priming)

10. Is this vaccine once in a lifetime or does it expire in the body, and if so how long does it last?

11. Do I have the option to choose whose vaccine I want: Pfizer or Oxford?

12. Is it true Bill Gates will take control of my finances if I get the vaccine

13. Are there nanobots, in this vaccine and e functions, how are we sure they will not be transmitting info to the manufacturer.

14. Is this vaccine not a way to control us all, whilst a few play god overall.

In preparation for the session, I created my 1st animation project explaining how vaccines work. I must admit I did learn a lot while creating it and was very pleased with the outcome.

Feedback:

The post-session feedback showed an improvement in the understanding of how vaccines work and there was an increase in the number of attendees who opted to receive the vaccine when offered.

This session not only helped to address Covid myths and misconceptions but also highlighted the benefits of having the Covid vaccine.

This would hopefully contribute to helping reduce the growing health inequalities in the UK.

There I got the opportunity to present my research project looking at the diversity amongst appraisers and appraisees by asking the simple question ~ Does Appraiser diversity reflect those they serve?

My research was influenced by a plethora of well-publicized research showing there is increasing evidence that greater diversity among teams is associated with higher performance.

We know that senior teams in NHS organisations are under-representative of the communities they serve and the staff they lead as reported by the NHS Leadership Academy.

Studies also suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations and the ability to affect community health status.

Thus as leaders, it is imperative that we ask questions relating to the diversity of our workforce because it is through this that we can ensure steps are taken towards better inclusion and equity in the workplace.

Useful Resources

1. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/organization/our%20insights/delivering%20through%20diversity/delivering-through-diversity_full-report.ashx

2. https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/

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]]>Leadership MattersMedical EducationNkolika AnyaboluSun, 30 May 2021 14:24:07 +0000https://nkolikaanyabolu.com/blog//gmc-issues-amongst-international-medical-graduates-and-how-to-address-them54dbc9a2e4b0ee1afe1da115:54e28ccbe4b062ed7b0b406d:60b39e65d078da664134a285

Webinar on GMC Issues amongst IMGs and how to address them. Organized by the University of Nigeria Medical Alumni

This is the 3rd and final part of the landscape painting. In this video I demonstrate how I paint a beautiful foreground with Acrylic paint. Simple Steps wit...

Materials Used:

1. 12" x 10" Canvas Board

2. Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint

3. Ultramarine Blue

4. Sap Green

5. Cadmium Yellow

6. Cerulean Blue

7. Titanium White

8. Metal Brush Washer 10cm diameter

9. Disposable paper plate

10. Tissue Roll

11. Water Spray Bottle

12. Painting Brush (Flat)

Previous Painting Videos:

Part 1: How to Paint the Sky https://youtu.be/tOwXiFxvppA

Part 2: How to Paint Vegetation https://youtu.be/pj1szMecofg

PAINTING MATERIALS USED

1. System 3 Acrylic Paint Set

2. Sap Green

3. Dioxaxine Purple

4. Ultramarine Blue

5. Cadmium Red

6. Titanium White

7. Acrylic Matt Medium Gel

8. Acrylic Gloss Medium Gel

9. Metal Brush Washer 10cm diameter

10. Disposable paper plate

11. Tissue Roll

12. Water Spray Bottle

13. Palette Knife

"Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run around like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone."

~ Maya Angelou

The series is to run over a 4 to 6 month period and it is intended to educate members of the Igbo community to recognise the signs and symptoms of common cancers.

Read more about the Cancer Series here

Background:

According to Prostate Cancer UK, 1 in 4 black men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This is double the 1 in 8 risks faced by all men. Awareness of cancer signs is lower in those who are male, younger, and from BAME or low socioeconomic groups. 4 in 5 people (85%) are affected financially by a cancer diagnosis.

Prostate, What is it?

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a satsuma. It secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm, helping them live longer and be more mobile. It grows bigger as men get older.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

• Age - being over 50.

• Family history of prostate cancer.

• Being Black or having a Mixed black ethnicity.

• Obesity.

Click the photo above to share/print the infographic on prostate cancer risk factors

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• An increased need to pee

• Straining while you pee

• A feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

• Lower back, or bone pain.

• Lethargy.

• Erectile dysfunction.

• Haematuria.

• Anorexia/weight loss.

• Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These are similar to the symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

Prostate Examination / Tests

Blood test.

• Urine test.

• Digital Rectal Examination.

• PSA test.

• Prostate Ultrasound Scan.

Treatment

• ”Watchful waiting" or "active surveillance”

• Surgically removing the prostate

• Radiotherapy – either on its own or alongside hormone therapy
  

PSA Screening

There's currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.

PSA tests are unreliable and can suggest prostate cancer when no cancer exists (a false-positive result). Up to 15% of men with prostate cancer have normal PSA levels (a false-negative result), so many cases may be missed.

It can find aggressive prostate cancer that needs treatment, but it can also find slow-growing cancer that may never cause symptoms or shorten life.

Instead of a national screening programme, there is an informed choice programme, called prostate cancer risk management, for healthy men aged 50 or over who ask their GP about PSA testing.

It aims to give men good information on the pros and cons of a PSA test.

How to check your risk

Prostate Cancer UK has a 30-second risk check which men (or their partners) could use to check one’s risk of prostate cancer. It asks 3 simple questions:

• How old are you?

• Has your Father or Brother had Prostate Cancer?

• Do you have black or mixed black ethnicity?

Understanding black men’s risk of prostate cancer

In partnership with Movember, Prostate Cancer UK is funding the PROFILE study to help find out why black men are at higher risk of prostate cancer than other ethnic groups.

The researchers are looking at the genes of healthy men at higher risk of prostate cancer, including men of African or Caribbean descent. Over five years, they’ll monitor the men for signs of developing prostate cancer, using blood tests and scans and biopsies.

At the end of the study, the researchers hope to understand why certain men are more likely to get prostate cancer, and whether one day they could create tests to help spot these men earlier, based on their genes.

Useful Resources:

• Know your Prostate: a guide to common prostate problems

• The PSA test and Prostate Cancer: A quick guide

• PSA Testing Decision Aid

Here is the PDF version of my talk which you can share with your friends and family to help spread the word.

References:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/psa-testing/

• https://prostatecanceruk.org/

• https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker

• https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

• https://www.webmd.com/men/picture-of-the-prostate#1

• https://www.medindia.net/

• https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/prostate-cancer/

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/

Images courtesy of

• Prostate Cancer UK

• Medindia.net

• Topdoctors.co.uk

• WebMD, LLC

The guideline covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19, often described as ‘long COVID’. It makes recommendations about care in all healthcare settings for adults, children and young people who have new or ongoing symptoms 4 weeks or more after the start of acute COVID-19. It also includes advice on organising services for long COVID.

It was developed jointly by NICE, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

I hope that this guideline would help the public and healthcare staff, as the number of people to have died with coronavirus in the UK exceeds 100,000. We are still a long way from winning the fight against this deadly virus.

See more https://bit.ly/3pklvvP

The impasto technique helps create an almost 3D effect in your paintings. Perfect for anyone who wants to paint quickly or anyone who wants to learn how to paint with a palette knife.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Materials used:

1. 20cm x 20m Premium Cotton Canvas

2. System 3 Acrylic Paint Set

3. Cadmium Orange

4. Ultramarine Blue

5. Cadmium Red

6. Titanium White

7. Process Black

8. Acrylic Matt Medium Gel

9. Acrylic Gloss Medium Gel

10. Metal Brush Washer 10cm diameter

11. Disposable paper plate

12. Tissue Roll

13. Water Spray Bottle

14. Palette Knife