And we thought the British were obsessed with the weather
BMJ 2006; 333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.333.7565.419 (Published 24 August 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:419- Jane E Graham (jegraham{at}doctors.org.uk), visiting doctor
As a British doctor living and working in Germany, I remain constantly amazed by the frequency and ease—or perhaps what is better described as insatiable compulsion—with which the German people, including the younger generation, visit their local general practitioner. (It is also troubling to note the effect the German language has on the length of the average sentence, even when writing in English.) I was therefore not surprised to learn that one of the country's leading newspapers has a whole section of the weather report dedicated purely to “Biowetter”—in other words, how the weather today may affect you and your health.
During a spell of unceasing rain and snow, the Biowetter report stated: “People suffering from rheumatological diseases and arthritis must prepare themselves for a worsening of their pain. Cardiovascular patients with a tendency to high blood pressure should not do anything strenuous. With the current weather conditions, those susceptible are likely to suffer from headaches. Operation scars are likely to be more noticeable.”
This led me to wonder whether a daily, medically focused, weather report fortifies the beliefs and encourages the consultation-seeking behaviour of the health-preoccupied German population? Or is it there at the request of overworked, underpaid GPs to try to curtail the never ending presentation of minor ailments? Who knows? But perhaps, on my return to Britain, I might start a beautiful new career as a medical weather forecaster.
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