A Man s Best Friend - 1138 Words

A Man’s Best Friend One day I was playing soccer with my friend and his dog outside of his house. All of a sudden his dog ran inside. I asked my friend what was the matter, why did he he just run inside? My friend explained to me that his dog is able to sense when bad weather is going to come. I told him it doesn’t look like bad weather is coming though, the sun is still out. He then responded by saying â€Å"you’ll see; his instinct is never wrong.† Nevertheless, later that day it did thunderstorm. My story of the dog’s instinct being superior to my intellect is similar to Jack London’s short story, â€Å"To Build a Fire.† In this story London contrasts the two characters in the story – the unnamed man and his dog. These two character foils†¦show more content†¦He thinks that â€Å"Those old-timers were rather womanish [and that] ... Any man who was a man could travel alone,† (113). The unnamed man’s biggest mistake is underestimat ing the force of nature and as he steps out into unimaginable weather conditions, it is clear he is unprepared. â€Å"In fact, he carried nothing but the lunch wrapped in the handkerchief. He was surprised, however, at the cold. It certainly was cold, he concluded, as he rubbed his numb nose and cheekbones with his mitted hand. He was a warm whiskered man but the hair on his face did not protect the high cheekbones and the eager nose that thrust itself aggressively into the frosty air† (108). This quotation demonstrates that he was unprepared and underestimated this journey. He should have carefully considered all factors relating to under packing, underdressing, and the issue of possible frostbite/death, and he shouldn’t have underestimated the fact that he cannot control natures conditions such as negative fifty-degree weather. On the other hand, the dog from the very start is hesitant to accompany the man on his journey. â€Å"The animal was depressed by the tremen dous cold. It knew that it was no time for travelling. Its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment.† (108). As the story continues, London contrasts the man and his dog throughout the story. It is basically a man’s knowledge versus a dog’s instinct. Of course the dog has better

McDonald’s Fast-Food Restaurants Free Essays

McDonald’s corporation is undoubtedly the largest fast food chain in the world with its primary sales being in French fries, cheeseburgers, and breakfasts and soft drinks. In the recent times, McDonalds has introduced fruits, carrots sticks and salads to its menu. The company is currently in operations in 120 countries worldwide serving 54 million clients and employing over 400,000 worldwide, a sharp contrast to 1940 when Mac Dic McDonald started it. We will write a custom essay sample on McDonald’s Fast-Food Restaurants or any similar topic only for you Order Now With such expansions, McDonald’s is often associated with the globalization symbol and a spreader of the American ways. The company also has several restaurants such as Boston market, Piles cafes and has stakes in Pret a manger and has had stakes in Chipotle Mexican Grill and Donatos Pizza. The chain usually offers counter and drive through services, McDrive popular on highways and low-density cities. Some play facilities such as the McDonalds Play place and McDonald’s play land with special attention to the different children age groups. The ‘Forever Young’ concept was introduced in 2006 in an attempt to redesign the restaurants. This included a change of its colors to warmer shades red and yellow and an addition of sage green and olive. The plan also included the use of more wood and brick, in place of plastic. The new look would also include several zones such as the flexible, grab and go linger all with specific music. (Wikipedia 2007). MacDonald’s has been suggested to be the largest private establishment in the US with one of eight Americans having been a McDonald’s employee at some point of their life. It has also been said to be the single largest buyer of potatoes, pork, beef and apples. (Schlosser 2001). In Australia, over 66,000 people are employed in the 441 outlets (Goliath Business News 2005) The international expansion process of McDonald began in the late 1960, in Canada then later to Japan, Germany, Australia, France and England in that order. There six countries rack in over 80% of the international sales income, warranting the title of â€Å"The Big Six†. In most cases, the expansion into international market was met with enthusiasm and made global headlines. In 1990, McDonald’s entered Russia and was met by more than 30,000 people who braved a cold winter day. To date, the Russian crew serves over 50,000 people daily. In 1992, a 40,000-person crowd and a similar situation also transpired in Poland welcomed McDonald’s to China. The international expansion led to the improvement of service delivery standards of those markets. For example, the 1975 entry of McDonald into East Asia led to the demand for high restroom hygiene standards in other food establishments as McDonald had demonstrated to them. However, Klein’s book â€Å"No Logo† has been in the forefront of the antiglobalization campaign, citing that globalization has led to the crowding out of the smaller local players. Klein further says that the globalization process has been perfected by the kinds of McDonald’s through franchising and the operation of gas station mini-outlets. This lead to the creation of a synonymous air of McDonald’s and hamburgers. McDonald like other Brand Bullies, phase out the local enterprises by offering the lowest prices, which they can afford due to the bulk purchase of raw materials and the voluminous sales (Klein 1999). The McLibel case of the early 1990’s in which two Britons, Helen Steel and David Morris were directly involved in a protest title ‘what’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ lead to the emergence of a seven-year-old battle. When steel and Morris began the protest, McDonald’s protested and used them for illegal defamation. The two-year-old trial that ensured put McDonald’s in the spotlight, as the High Court of Justice in London scrutinized the company’s advertising strategies. As expected, the press had a field day covering the classic Goliath verses David battle. However, after an appeal to the high court by the Steel and Morris team, McDonald was awarded    £40 000 instead of  £60 000. The amount was lowered due to the fact that the court proved some of the allegations of Morris and Steel to be true. One of the established claims was that McDonald’s was exploiting children during its advertising. This was through the creation of lucrative cartoon characters and use of mascots, which lead to the association of these characters with McDonald’s by the children. Children would nag and disturb their parents so as to go to McDonald’s. McDonalds was also accused of being anti-union and was not keen on doing so because of he fact that it had several franchised units which were after treated as owned by individuals. McDonald’s was also accused of being cruel to animals. Due to the several links made to McDonald’s menu and obesity McDonalds’s has cut off supersized meals from its menus and included healthier options such as salads and fruits. Two overweight girls’ case was brought up, with the girls claiming that their overweight states was as a result of eating regularly at McDonalds. The â€Å"Supersize me† documentary film of 2004 by Morgan Spurlock demonstrated how foods that was exclusively McDonald’s contributed to the obesity problem. This film also demonstrated the psychological and physical well being status as being compromised.   Spurlock consumed a total of 5000 calorie’s each for the one-month experiment period. After this period, Spurlock gained a total of 11.1kg, a total 13% body mass increase.   Other than that, he became moody and lost interest in sex. This film was aired at the Sundance Film festival, leading to the removal of the supersized meals from its menu. The company also started putting nutritional information in small print. In 2002, McDonald’s declared the reduction of trans fat cooking fat content by early 2003. However, when the fat was not changed McDonald’s was used for not making the information about its failure to change the oil public. This lead to a court order that demand McDonald’s to spend $1.5million in the publishing of its notices on the trans fat initiative status. It also led to the donation of $7million to the Public Education on trans fat by the American Heart Association (Wikipedia 2007). In 2002, McDonald’s was sued by vegetarian groups for misrepresenting of its French fries. This was because the French fries were fried in beef tallow despite the fact that McDonalds had discontinued this practice in 1996. However, to date the French fries in circulation in the US contain beef flavoring. McDonald’s has been in the forefront in making sure that it retains its market share despite the tirades of criticism. The most fundaments policy is that McDonald has McDonald has ensured that quality standards of its food and beverages are not compromised. This has been coupled with an involvement with only the most reputable supplies with the same objective. To ensure this is adhered to regular monitoring and testing of the ingredients is conducted while using only the must stringent of standards. It has been noted that several agencies of the government has many a time used the McDonald’s standards as models of their regulatory procedures. McDonald has also deliberately supported food safety procedures and systems that are entirely science based. The food safety measures include microbiological control, high sanitation standards and effective pest control. The worldwide recognized Hard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan as an effective preventive measure against food borne diseases. McDonald’s is also in the forefront in ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest food safety standards such as temperature levels and a demonstration that all likely hazards have been addressed through point of control critical management (McDonald’s Corporation, 2006). McDonald has made liaisons with independent experts of the international scientific Advisory Council so as to be in the know about latest development in the beef and chicken industries. At the grassroots level, the restaurant, productive measures have been taken. Stuff are oriented and trained on the expected standards of work from the first day of employment. There is also deliberate preparation of stuff for promotions making them motivated and committed to their work. Before a shift manager is entrusted with the management of an entire shift, they are ensure enrolled in an entire course on food safety and safety standards which included training from the stage of supply, delivery through to handling during preparation. These food safety processes are closely monitored by consultants specialized in operations of staff. The need for expert intervention of the training programs is identified through regular onsite evaluations. Reference: Goliath Business News (2005). Journal of Hospitality Tourism Management. Klein, N. (1999) No Logo. NY: St. Martin Press McDonald’s Corporation (2006) Food Safety. Retrieved on October 23, 2007 from the World Wide Web on: http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/values/purchasing/food_safety.html. Schlosser, E., (2001).   Fast Food Nation. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books. Wikipedia (2007). McDonald’s. Retrieved on October 23, 2007 from the World Wide Web How to cite McDonald’s Fast-Food Restaurants, Essay examples

Public Health Non-Adherence of Patients

Question: Discuss about the case study Public Health for Non-Adherence of Patients. Answer: Introduction: The key problem the organization needs to deal with is the non-adherence of patients. The results of quality healthcare are dependent on the adherence of patients to the healthcare regimes which are recommended to them (Haskard-Zolnierek, 2012). Non-adherence of patients might prove to pose a threat to the well-being and health along with carrying an economic burden. The noncompliance or non-adherence arrives in various forms. The advice is often misunderstood, the execution is incorrect, forgotten or might be ignored. The most obvious among them is patients not taking their medicines which are supposed to cure them of their conditions. The assumption of physicians that the patients are being administered their medications regularly, makes them prescribe other dosages which lead to further complications as well as suboptimal health results (Kuhlmann and Annandale, 2010). Extensive research has been carried out on patient adherence. Adherence can be measured on the basis of patient diaries, pill counts, reports by physicians and others, blood assays, electronic means, biologic markers and pharmacy records (Kuhlmann and Burau, 2009). The methods of assessment vary on the level of sophistication and subjectivity which ranges from patient diaries to tools which are technologically oriented such as Medication Event Monitoring System. This method measures adherence by employing a microchip mechanism to record the date and time a patient takes his/her pills or dispenses an eye drop. The physician receives a message every time the pill box is opened which reliably indicates the access to medication. However, it is a distinct possibility that the pill box might just be opened and the medication not actually taken according to prescription. Below are some interventions which might help in gaining patient adherence. Simplifying regimen characteristics Several strategies which have been used for the simplification of a regimen have now become practices that are well-standardized. Take for instance; adherence is improved when the patient has to take a single pill per day. When the frequency of a drug cannot be decreased, it should be matched with the daily activities of the patient (Maluf, 2015). It is likely that patients would remember to take a medicine when it is specified before or after meals. Imparting knowledge Adherence is positively related to the treatments and understanding of the conditions by the patients. According to several studies, the instructions in the prescription are not often understood by the patients and they tend to forget what they are advised by the healthcare professionals. Modification of human behavior and beliefs For complicated interventions, healthcare professionals should address the self-efficacy, intentions and beliefs of the patients. This is significant because just knowledge cannot make patients adhere to recommendations especially when the behavior change involved in it is complex. Communication with patient Communication with patient comprises of communication between patient and physician, involving the family of the patient in the conversation and sending reminders. The most critical of them all is the dialogue between physician and patient (Rothgang, 2010). Communicating with the family of the patient and the perception of the patient regarding social support are positively associated to adherence. Above discussed are the best practices which would enable patient adherence but there are several other factors which make the implementation of these practices quite difficult. The hindrances to the adherence could comprise of factors such as health system, providers and patients where the amount of interactions between them is not satisfactory. In order to improve the adherence, all the barriers should be identified and suitable measures must be implemented. Barriers might include poor communication between the health provider and patient, insufficient knowledge about a medicine and its use, not properly ready for the mode of treatment, long term drug intakes, scared of the side effects of drug, complicated regimes which involve several medications with differing schedules of dosage along with barriers of access and cost. Leaving bias Researches on adherence revealed that personality traits and demography are influencers in adherence. Adherence is related to education and sex and its effect can be alleviated by customizing the information according to the degree of understanding of the patient (Tynkkynen, Fredriksson and Lehto, 2013). Evaluation of adherence It should be noted that the problem of non-adherence is ignored to some extent by doctors. The problem cannot be corrected if it goes unrecognized. It is imperative that the adherence is measured as well as evaluated reliably. In order to overcome the barriers and implement best practices, the patients should be informed about the way of addressing their conditions. In order to gain adherence, patients should be involved completely. Non adherence also occurs when patients are afraid of the effects of drugs. Therefore, they should be provided with clear and concise information about the medicines and if necessary, they should also be provided counseling for patient medication. The fears and concerns can be reduced by informing the patients about the side effects of a particular medicine and ways to prevent the adverse effects. Often complexity in the regime of medication negatively impacts adherence. Hence, the regime needs modification so that the frequency could be reduced and combination products should be used, if applicable (Haskard-Zolnierek, 2012). This method requires the assistance of the patient, thus, highlighting their role in the management of diseases. As a conclusion, it can be stated that non-adherence by patients is a global medical problem and occurs due to various interrelated causes. Although compliance can be increased by informing the patient about the condition but medical adherence is increased by proper support and motivation and usage of compliance aids. Being the research manager in the organization, strategies which are practically possible should be identified to improve the adherence within the restrictions of the practice which would eventually improve the therapeutic results (Kuhlmann and Annandale, 2010). It is a multidisciplinary approach and should be carried out in association with everybody related to the medical profession. References Haskard-Zolnierek, K. (2012). Communication about patient pain in primary care: Development of the PhysicianPatient Communication about Pain scale (PCAP).Patient Education and Counseling, 86(1), pp.33-40. Kuhlmann, E. and Annandale, E. (2010).The Palgrave handbook of gender and healthcare. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Kuhlmann, E. and Burau, V. (2009). Managerial regimes meet the healthcare state: introduction and outlook.Journal of Health Organization and Management, 23(3). Maluf, S. (2015). Biolegitimacy, rights and social policies: New biopolitical regimes in mental healthcare in Brazil.Vibrant, Virtual Braz. Anthr., 12(1), pp.321-350. Rothgang, H. (2010).The state and healthcare. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Tynkkynen, L., Fredriksson, S. and Lehto, J. (2013). Perspectives on Purchaser-Provider Co-Operation in the Local Welfare Regimes in Finland.International Journal of Public and Private Healthcare Management and Economics, 3(1), pp.17-32.