Spread of urban legends spurs information sessions on cancer myths

Posted to Leader (27/2/2014) on 27/2/2014 at 12:31 PM
Commenting on "Spread of urban legends spurs information sessions on cancer myths"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/spread-of-urban-legends-spurs-information-sessions-on-cancer-myths

Many people buying a car, domestic white goods, etc. seek opinions from friends, internet search and sometimes if accessible a "consumer experts", and yet when come to health, they don't seek second or even third opinion.

When my family doctor prescribes medication for my illness or health wellbeing, I always ask him the reason for his action and the side effects which may be caused by the medication. I went for my cataract operations for my eyes after three optometrists advised me that I would need them. Obviously, my eye specialist confirmed so.

We must not take our health for granted, especially strong medication and operations are involved. We must check with real people who have received the treatment or operation, those professionals who provide the services, and from printed books instead of eBook or internet blogs.

While this may seemed like a myth in itself, I do hold strong views about cancer being part of evolution process and genetic "mutation" or bodily malfunction that has gone really wrong. Many external agents, including food, toxic fumes, bacteria and virus etc, trigger cancers and exacerbate their growth.

Whether it is chemotherapy or radiation, the risk of failing to kill the cancer cells is there. It is a risk that a cancer sufferer should weigh out the pros and cons. The success of treatment also relies on sufferer's desire to cooperate, their firm and positive outlook to get better, and reason to live life to the full.

Do exit interviews work?

Posted to The Age (5/2/2014) on 5/2/2014 at 12:20PM
Commenting on "Do exit interviews work?"
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/franchising/do-exit-interviews-work-20131127-2ya8e.html

Many interviews including exit interviews are lip service. Unfortunately, the interviewers may not have good knowledge of what's going on within the organisation, either they are an external agent or someone who is so "remote" from the real situation within the organisation.

An exit interview is only useful if the interviewee's certain useful feedback, views or opinions are taken seriously, investigated and hopefully implemented, and not treated as insults or destructive criticisms.

It also matters how the interview is conducted. The presence of a particular interviewer may not permit the interviewee to express fair and frank opinions.

In view of an unbiased comment, I feel that employees should never bottle things up until the last minute of departure. To achieve working in a harmonious and happy workplace is to have things trashed out before the environment becomes unbearable. Good employees should pass on any good idea or suggestion for improvement to their superior or even someone higher in rank, at staff meeting or one-on-one discussion.

It may not be the organisation's fault or problem. The departing employees may not be suitable or compatible to work in such environment having different culture.