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Associated Movie: Patch Adams, starring Robin
Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman The movie Patch Adams starring Robin Williams made the physician-social-crusader-clown world famous. This documentary offers a revealing encounter with the real Patch Adams. Here we see exclusive sequences of his "Between-the-Sheets Therapy" with a disturbed, suicidal patient named Dave, which show how far the doctor is willing to go to find a way to relieve a person's suffering. No one in the world has ever used this as a therapeutic tool. There are other touching examples of Dr. Adams' inimitable, creative approach to caring for patients in different parts of the world. And for the first time ever we are allowed to see his unique "Joy Workshop." Produced by TSI, Inc. 08DR JSCA 34 min. |
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Associated Movie: Patch Adams, starring Robin
Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman "Recommended. Dr. Patch Adams takes his unique therapy on the road; this time the unique twist is to Russia with love." -The National Review Dr. Patch Adams, lovingly known as "Doctor Clown," and his goodwill entourage, visit Russia and its hospitals, orphanages, schools, and streets with the hope of helping people through humor. Produced by Roberta Cantow. 07DR IJSCA 30 min. |
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Asthma dates back to the ancient Egyptians, and early
19th-century physicians recorded the first accurate descriptions of it;
however it is only now that this chronic disease has gone on the rampage. In
most of the world's developed countries, it is now a significant public
health issue. It is estimated that more than 150 million people across the
globe suffer from asthma. The question is why? In the last few years,
research groups around the world have been racing to hunt down the genes
that underlie asthma, finding those genes will eventually lead to new
treatments; it will also tell us more about the machinations of what is
still a very mysterious disease. But genes can't create asthma on their own,
nor can they be blamed for the increased rates of the disease. There must be
something else, something to do with our lifestyle and environment. In this
program we discover how researchers are working very hard to identify what
it is that makes it so difficult for some people to breathe freely. Experts
in this program include: Dr. Euan Tovey, Dr. Guy Marks, and
Professor Ann Woolcock of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine,
Professor Peter Le Souef of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr.
David Duffy of the Queensland Inst. of Medical Research, and Dr. Paul
Foster of the John Curtin School of Medical Research. Produced by ABC
International, Inc. 07DR SCA 25 min. Associated Program: Asthma |
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Kellogg's Award for Excellence
-Nutrition Journalism National Gold Winner -MBF Awards Best Medical Documentary -Prix Leonardo Film Festival, Palma, Italy "Recommended. Many people are under the impression that cholesterol is the prime, if not the only, culprit behind heart disease, and that one must avoid foods with high cholesterol content in order to avoid high blood cholesterol. However, as this program ably demonstrates, this is an oversimplification when it comes to assessing an individual's cholesterol levels and potential dietary changes. This program attempts to explain in laymen's terms the somewhat complicated individual interpretations needed from our current population-based understanding of cholesterol and heart disease. Their efforts are quite successful, using case studies, expert interviews and graphics to convey the confusing and seemingly contradictory nature of HDL and LDL cholesterol, antioxidants and free radicals and saturated fats in inducing or preventing heart disease. The production quality is excellent, and the program is rarely dull or tedious." -EMRO Review Cholesterol, initially, was the hidden killer in western diets; then the campaign of fear of cholesterol shifted to a conspiracy by food manufacturers, health authorities and drug companies. The question asked by the medical community was, is cholesterol poison or paranoia? This award-winning documentary shows how evidence revealed that half of us have a protective response to high fat diets by manufacturing 'good' as well as 'bad' cholesterol. It now seems some very familiar substances may be just as important in fighting heart disease as is lowering our intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. Produced by ABC, International, Inc. 08DR SCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. An examination of the legal and ethical
issues surrounding clone research, especially appropriate for schools with
bioethics programs or courses. There are interesting microscopic lab
techniques displayed, including the actual cloning of a lamb cell. Also, in
a fascinating twist, this program presents two men suffering from
debilitating diseases who meet with a research scientist to discuss the
progress of therapeutic cloning." -EMRO Review First we meet Matilda, a frolicking, happy lamb. But Matilda is different, she's Australia's equivalent of Dolly, the first cloned mammal. These cloned sheep represent a giant leap the world of medicine has seen in recent years. Cloning could be the answer to ending debilitating diseases like Parkinson's and leukemia; however, there's also the other idea to consider: that perfect humans could be created. This highly controversial report thoroughly explores the cloning process, as well as the heated debate that is raging through modern medical history. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR/CL JSCA 45 min. |
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"Major gains have been made in the global fight against
polio: Today, polio cases have declined by 99 percent; overall, over two
billion children have been immunized, five million have been spared
disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented."
-Rotary International "Recommended. Before the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, the disease was feared throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Even after the Salk and Sabin treatments largely ended polio in America, it remanded a threat in the Third World. This program documents efforts in India to destroy polio through single-day mass immunizations, along with presenting problems encountered by American polio sufferers dealing with side effects caused by polio. It presents a hopeful picture of the efforts to end a feared disease as well as the problems faced by those people afflicted with polio; is recommended for all collections emphasizing medicine and social problems." -EMRO Review Thanks to the largest peacetime mobilization in history, the polio virus in India is about to be eradicated. Health officials, accompanied by an army of volunteers from the U.S. Rotary Club, will fan out across the country on motorbikes and even camels. When the day is done, 136 million children will have been vaccinated, creating a wall of immunity that the virus cannot penetrate. Now resources saved from having eradicated Polio can be diverted to the prevention of other diseases like hepatitis B, or malaria, and the global team can look onward to Africa. A KR Video Production. 08DR JSCA 45 min. |
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"Highly Recommended! Veteran documentary filmmaker
Elizabeth Sher deftly skewers American's obsession with cosmetic surgery.
Her ability to poke fun at society at her own expense is, well, eye-opening.
Highly recommended and sure to be popular." -Video Librarian Liposuction, Tummy Tucks, Breast Surgery, Breast Implants, Breast Lifts, Breast Reductions, Facial Surgery, Eyelid Surgery, Face Lifts, Lip Implants, Rhinoplasty. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, there are over eight million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed yearly in the United States alone. As more and more people feel motivated, entitled and even required to disguise their age, those who age naturally are becoming the exception rather than the norm. Producer Elizabeth Sher's search for answers in this program leads viewers through a history of the Baby Boomers and the parallel growth of cosmetic surgery. She interviews candid men and women who have been "nipped and tucked" as well as their doctors to find out positives, negatives and whys. At times, she finds herself checking the mirror and examining her own wrinkles and vanity. And the underlying questions remains: Can the promise of a younger look "fix" society's prejudice against old age? Produced by Elizabeth Sher. 08DR/CL Closed-Captioned CA 52 min. |
| The purpose of this program is to increase the knowledge of students, potential applicants, career counselors, and faculty and directors of agencies and clinics in the field of psychology and its related fields about the background, history and philosophy of the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD). Three problem areas are addressed: the lack of accurate knowledge about the PsyD degree; the similarities and differences between the PsyD degree and the PhD programs; and the lack of complete acceptance of the PsyD degree; also interviews with students in the PsyD program, and professionals holding PsyD or PhD. degrees in psychology, demonstrate the unique qualities and the purpose of the PsyD program.Produced by Dr. Persila Conversano. 08DR SCA 30 min. |
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Honor Award -Cascade
Independent Film Festival "Highly Recommended. A brave and illuminating look at the mentally disturbed, which brings to light their humor, hope and passions." -Michael Ferris, Screenwriter (The Net; The Game; Terminator 3) "Highly Recommended. A great teaching tool for Intro to Psychology students to build empathy and understanding." -W. Psychological Assn. "Highly Recommended. This documentary shows mental illness in a very personal way, allowing the viewer to see the person behind the illness." -WAMI Spotlight Review "Lorian Elbert's two-year project finds "dignity" of schizophrenics and comes highly recommended." -Capitol Hill Times Mentally ill people are too often outcast in society, instead of receiving compassion that a physically ill person would normally receive. Mentally ill people, like all of us, need dignity, which is the underlying theme of this eye-opening documentary. Focusing primarily on Schizophrenia, the producer, a professional photographer and artist, weaves interviews with residents and staff from two different homes for mentally ill people along with reflective photographs that offer profound insight into the disorder while striving to help change people's attitudes towards mental illness. Produced by Lorian T. Elbert 08DR SCA 52 min. Also by Lorian Elbert: Dignity 2: The Human Side of Mental Illness and Chinchillas: How to Care for Your Pet Chinchilla |
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Honor Award -911 Media
Arts "Highly Recommended. Shows the human side of mental illess, offering the viewer a peek into the difficulties and joys experienced by patients and caregivers alike." -Dr. Debbie Chun, University of Washington "Recommended. This is perfect viewing for anyone considering a position in the social work field. The program underscores the inner feelings and emotions of living everyday with mental illness. Nicely filmed and edited, this documentary will undoubtedly change your perspective on several issues about mental illness. It shows life within aging facilities existing on meager public funding and donations, and sets the perfect stage for asking questions." -EMRO Review This sequel to Dignity 1: A Study of Schizophrenia documents the impact and stress on mentally ill residents and staff members when the Mercer Inn, an all-women facility, has to close for budgetary reasons, and most of the women are forced to move in with residents of the Summit Inn. We gain a rare insight of the human side of mental illness, seeing the day-to-day challenges faced by patients and caregivers. Produced by Lorian Tamara Elbert. 08DR SCA 52 min. Also by Lorian Elbert: Dignity 1: A Study of Schizophrenia and Chinchillas: How to Care for Your Pet Chinchilla |
| A tribute to an imaginative, unselfish, American doctor whose invention has resulted in the saving of millions of lives. This fascinating documentary tells the remarkable story of how Dr. Jean Rosenbaum invented the artificial pacemaker based on his thoughts about the movie, Frankenstein. Produced by Video 11. 08DR/CL JSCA 15 min. |
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Best Documentary -North
Carolina IF&V Best in Field Award -USA Film Festival, Dallas, TX "Highly Recommended! With her zany sense of humor and irony, Elizabeth Sher cuts through the facade of contradictory information to reveal a vital set of options for this important passage." -Arts & Entertainment "Highly Recommended! This program allows viewers to see the strength and power of mid-life women." -Mid-Life Woman Magazine Featuring Dr. Sadja Greenwood, author of Menopause Naturally, this uplifting and reassuring documentary weaves together interviews with 40 women from across the cultural landscape, including physicians and practitioners of non-traditional medicine. The women are frank and gentle as their discussions range from menopausal symptoms and treatments to the broader issues of what it means to be a woman in "the second half of life." Using wit, humor and creative editing, the program presents personal experience segments, punctuated by solid, valuable information, providing unique insight about the process of becoming an older woman in contemporary America. Produced by Elizabeth Sher. 08DR/CL CA 52 min. |
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"No 'sides' here. Simply, objective information by women
- for women." -Ed. Media Review Women speaking to women; this informational program presents excerpts of interviews with gynecologists, nurse practitioners, and women who have undergone abortions to emphasize its objective that women considering abortion should seek counseling. Produced by Video 11. 08DR/CL JSCA 30 min. |
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TB or Not TB? (Tuberculosis and AIDS), 2 Parts |
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While Tuberculosis, TB, can affect old, young, rich, poor,
it's more common in developing countries. And though the world started the
20th century with TB rates declining, the 21st sees the TB death rate
rising. This program reports on this serious increase in TB worldwide and
looks at other fatal diseases like HIV/AIDS, which help TB in its claim on
human life. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 07DR JSCA "Special Box Set
Savings" - 2 Parts in a 1-DVD Box Set! Also available on 2/50-min. DVDs,
Videos or Digital Files.
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| Surgical operations by remote control are still in their infancy, but no longer belong to the world of science fiction. The impact of medical technology on health care is apparent in some of the world's most isolated communities, thanks to an innovative new application called Telemedicine - surgery by remote control. In this program we first meet Dr. Luc Vanderheyden, a surgeon who made medical history by using equipment developed by NASA to diagnose a hernia in a patient 140 miles away. With a robotic arm and joystick controlling the tiny fiber-optic camera, Vanderheyden watched his progress on a computer screen. Today Telemedicine promises to change the way health care is delivered not only on Earth but also in space. Next Dr. Blake Papsin explains the microsurgical process involved in implanting a Cochlear Implant into 10-year-old Jaclyn Balcom; plus we learn how telemedicine may help with the many follow-up visits that's required after an Implant to help re-train the patient's brain to understand the new neural information it's receiving. Produced by Black Inc. 08DR Closed-Captioned SCA 52 min. |
| A generation of young girls and women are literally wasting away, suffering from a serious eating disorder known as Anorexia Nervosa. Seeing themselves as distortedly obese, they are on a relentless pursuit of thinness. This eye-opening program reports on four young women suffering from this often-misunderstood condition and the treatment they are receiving at the eating disorders unit at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR JSCA 50 min. |
| This documentary explores what's shaping up as one of the most remarkable medical dramas of the twenty-first century, Xenotransplantation, the transplanting of organs between closely related species, such as baboons and humans. Reporter Ian Watson travels across the United States exploring the dilemmas associated with organ transplants. On one side it appears they may save thousands of lives, while on the other Xenotransplants may just be the cause of the next AIDS-like epidemic. To date, Xenotransplantation is an experimental procedure; however, with thousands of human lives at stake, not to mention a fortune that could be made from harvesting human-compatible animal organs, medical science we discover is focusing on overcoming the organ rejection problem as never before. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min. |