KENDALL IN ROME

Kendall Jamieson Gilmore

Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Region, Italy

September – December 2019

For the secondment video click here

It’s well known that when in Rome, one must do as the Romans do. As such, since I arrived I have been busy commissioning magnificent buildings exalting my name to all who dare approach, building aqueducts to feed public baths, slaughtering my rivals in gladiatorial combat, and participating in gigantic orgies. It’s all been very tiring.

Luckily, my placement at the Department of Epidemiology for the Lazio region is proving to be a most enjoyable and interesting safe haven from the trials of recreating the Roman period. At DEP Lazio, I am working to identify the policy implications and actions arising from the epidemiological analysis my colleagues conduct as part of their daily work. Currently, I am providing the policy input for a research paper on the determinants of adherence to best practice therapies following acute myocardial infarction, and will soon start work on a project about overprescribing in the under-5s. It’s been a great opportunity to learn about some of the advanced statistical analyses my new colleagues conduct in health and environmental protection, as well as being able to draw on my different (i.e., less skilled) background to bring a new angle to some of their projects.

During my time here I’ve also been away to the 7^th International Jerusalem Conference on Health Policy, where I was presenting a poster for project I’ve been working on collecting and analysing Patient Reported Experience Measures from paediatric hospitals in Italy and Latvia, as well as to the European Health Forum Gastein, which I participated in as a young scholar (along with legendary Gasteiner and fellow HealthPro Véronique).

Now I must go, my chariot is waiting to take me to a brutal recreation of a famous sea-battle.