Abstract
This CD, produced by the Primary Care Network, intended for primary care physicians, brings a new methodology to teaching about headache. It contains a significant volume of general knowledge about headache, including tracks on migraine and cluster headache. Using video clips, experienced clinicians narrate the tracks, and the presentations are more than adequate, with additional tables and supportive information. Most will find clinically useful information in these sections.
The CD program is in four sections. The first deals with migraine and its diagnosis and clinical assessment. It also includes a stereotypical patient interview. The second section deals with cluster headache and its management, the third with medication treatments for migraine along with a very good graphical overview of migraine pathophysiology. The final section deals with non-pharmacological therapies for migraine, and useful tips for patients and their doctors. All of this is supported by patient scenarios and ends with a balanced continued education evaluation.
However, it not the educational content of this CD that makes it unique, as other attempts to convey headache information have been attempted on similar media. It is the four musical videos and introductions by Dr Fred Sheftell, of the New England Center for Headache, that make this CD unique and memorable.
His first piece, ‘Migraine Blues’, is done in true blues fashion with excellent musicianship, backup singers and appropriate content. The number encompasses not only the musicians but also a patient scenario in the background. The second piece, ‘What's Wrong With Me', catches the essence of cluster headache and is done in true rock and roll fashion, again with a background patient displaying cluster symptomatology. In this second video, music aficionados will recognize that Elvis is still alive in soul and spirit and now dealing with headache!
The third piece is ‘Triptan du jour’, which is a whimsical but accurate and good overview of the history of the triptans, including mention of many internationally recognized headache specialists. The piece is well balanced and non-biased and is done in a waltz-time rhythm, appropriate to the topic and lyrics. The final piece, ‘Life is for Living’, is inventive and more light hearted, and as titled is upbeat and positive in its message. It is done in a calypso fashion. All videos are preceded by brief comment by Dr Sheftell, which explains the origins of the music and context.
With élan and passion Dr Sheftell and his colleagues give the user of the CD an audio and visual treat. His musical renditions are not only entertaining but also educational. They have attempted to capture the essence of these primary headache disorders and have succeeded. Each musical video has an enhanced mode, which highlights important educational points to remember.
This reviewer has no major criticisms of the educational content of this volume. The graphics and presentations are of high quality, easy to access on both PC and Mac platforms, and easily portable because of the digital medium. The quality of the sound is very good, and it is easy to manoeuvre in the interface. It takes about two hours to go through the entire volume.
There are those who may not want to mix their education with entertainment, but in this CD there is a lot of the former, supported by the latter. Take ‘Migraine Blues’ for a spin on your computer and you will not be disappointed. True learning is a multiple sensory experience, and I suspect most will agree. I would recommend this CD to family physicians, internists, residents and medical students. Neurologists and other headache specialists may learn something as well, and finally anyone with a passing interest in migraine and cluster will enjoy this work. It is not only a good general learning tool but it is fun to access, a rarity in knowledge transfer!