2009/9:

1. Smile wide: dental x-rays and dentures.

Dental x-rays are considered one of the best ways to positively identify a body.
Many dental features, such as tooth root curvature, tooth position, impacted teeth,
extra teeth, and tooth crown anomalies, are unique to a person and frequently
survive intact while other parts of the body do not. This technique of identification is
especially useful when police suspect the identity of the victim. Dental x-rays taken
while the individual was alive can be compared to post mortem x-rays in order to
confirm the identity of a body.
2. Surgical implants.
Often surgical implants are constructed of durable material, such as titanium, that
can survive fire and chemical submersion. Additionally, surgical devices are usually
deep within the body, providing them with some protection from fire or chemicals.
In the present day it is common for medical devices to be imprinted with serial
numbers that can be directly linked to a patient.
3. The long and short bone(s) of it: skeletal diseases and injuries.
Although we strive to avoid breaking bones and contracting diseases during our life,
it is evidence of injury and illness that can identify us after death if antemortem xrays are available. A simple broken arm might not be sufficient to positively identify
a body, but unique or extensive skeletal injury can be. Additionally, some diseases,
such as, tuberculosis, syphilis, and psoriasis, can sometimes cause skeletal damage
that would be visible in an x-ray.
2010/9:
The concept of patient participation remains poorly defined despite abundant
literature. No single definition exists, and various terms such as patient
collaboration, patient involvement, partnership, patient empowerment, or patientcentered care are used interchangeably. Furthermore, patient participation can
relate to aspects of health care as diverse as decision making, self-medication, selfmonitoring, patient education, goal setting, or taking part in physical care.
Patient participation is increasingly recognized as a key component in the redesign
of health care processes and is advocated as a means to improve patient safety.
The concept has been successfully applied to various areas of patient care, such as
decision making and the management of chronic diseases. We review the origins of
patient participation, discuss the published evidence on its efficacy, and summarize
the factors influencing its implementation. Patient-related factors, such as
acceptance of the new patient role, lack of medical knowledge, lack of confidence,
comorbidity, and various sociodemographic parameters, all affect willingness to

participate in the health care process. Among health care workers, the acceptance
and promotion of patient participation are influenced by other issues, including the
desire to maintain control, lack of time, personal beliefs, type of illness, and training
in patient-caregiver relationships. Social status, specialty, ethnic origin, and the
stakes involved also influence patient and health care worker acceptance.
Patient participation is a complex concept and arises from the widespread consumer
movement of the 1960s that affirmed the consumer's right to safety, the right to be
informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard. 1 During the past few years,
patient participation has been increasingly recognized as a key component in the
redesign of health care processes and successfully applied to some aspects of
patient care, notably the decision-making process and the treatment of chronic
illness.