David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
Dad, Doctor, Chief Medical Officer Hong Kong Rugby. Views forged by two great port cities but remain my own. Hong Kong YNWA
Philosophy
46%
Political science
18%
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Dec 4
30 years ago today TimTrodd and I opened the doors of the clinic that would become OT&P. Lots of water under that bridge.
Thank you to Tim, to all my colleagues past and present and especially to everyone who has allowed me the privilege of being their doctor.
Thank you to Tim, to all my colleagues past and present and especially to everyone who has allowed me the privilege of being their doctor.
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
HK’s micromanagement of public space has for long been a major hurdle for sustainable bottom up culture to flourish. It’s kind of ironic how govt is lamenting the need to attract tourists, if they actively suppress the “edge” that is wanted nowadays. Hawkers, cyclists, surfers, artists, buskers…
3 reasons why this policy makes no sense
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
💯
So much potential
So little imagination
So much potential
So little imagination
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Honestly I get that and I would never judge anyone for the decisions they make
I just love the place warts and all and I am staying
I also live on the beach Spring tide tonight
I just love the place warts and all and I am staying
I also live on the beach Spring tide tonight
Reposted by David Owens
Tobias Zuser
@duwenzhe.bsky.social
· Nov 18
3 reasons why this policy makes no sense
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
Hong Kong’s Leisure & Cultural Services Department doubled down and said it would not allowing surfing at public beaches “because they think there will be complaints from the public,” said Adrian Pedro Ho of the New People’s Party
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
HK’s micromanagement of public space has for long been a major hurdle for sustainable bottom up culture to flourish. It’s kind of ironic how govt is lamenting the need to attract tourists, if they actively suppress the “edge” that is wanted nowadays. Hawkers, cyclists, surfers, artists, buskers…
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Agreed Regulation and control is the default position
Such a shame I have worked with some incredible young local athletes who just don’t get the recognition they deserve
So many great potential role models whether rugby, running surfing whatever
Embrace the young and give them opportunities 👍
Such a shame I have worked with some incredible young local athletes who just don’t get the recognition they deserve
So many great potential role models whether rugby, running surfing whatever
Embrace the young and give them opportunities 👍
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
The contrast between the cityscape and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains is one of the many things I love about Hong Kong
West dogs tooth to Lantau Peak is probably my very favourite Hong Kong hike
West dogs tooth to Lantau Peak is probably my very favourite Hong Kong hike
I love HK and continually battle with people from overseas who think of our stunning city as simply a densely populated housing estate
Where is the imagination in selling this opportunity. HK should be the International Centre for adventure racing
End
bsky.app/profile/drdo...
Where is the imagination in selling this opportunity. HK should be the International Centre for adventure racing
End
bsky.app/profile/drdo...
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Last week I was invited to a ceremony at the Hong Kong Sports institute in which various government ministers put forward arguments for HK as a hub for sports and sports medicine.
How does this sit with a tendency to ban sport and reduce opportunities for physical activity for young people?
3/4
How does this sit with a tendency to ban sport and reduce opportunities for physical activity for young people?
3/4
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Where is the government data?
I spoke to a young surfer who I coached in rugby Over the last 10 years he has rescued 15 people (including two life guards) of whom none were surfers
My hypothesis: Banning surfers will increase the risk to swimmers on Hong Kong beaches
2/4
I spoke to a young surfer who I coached in rugby Over the last 10 years he has rescued 15 people (including two life guards) of whom none were surfers
My hypothesis: Banning surfers will increase the risk to swimmers on Hong Kong beaches
2/4
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Hong Kong’s Leisure & Cultural Services Department doubled down and said it would not allowing surfing at public beaches “because they think there will be complaints from the public,” said Adrian Pedro Ho of the New People’s Party
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
3 reasons why this policy makes no sense
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
1) Banning surfing will increase fatalities on HK beaches
2) HK is trying to establish itself as a hub for sports/ sports medicine
3) HK is a stunning location for outdour sports
🧵 1/4
Reposted by David Owens
Joel Chan
@kjoules.org
· Nov 18
Hong Kong’s Leisure & Cultural Services Department doubled down and said it would not allowing surfing at public beaches “because they think there will be complaints from the public,” said Adrian Pedro Ho of the New People’s Party
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
www.scmp.com/sport/other-...
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Agreed
We saw this with the HK Covid response. A focus on regulatory control rather than education and failure to recognise that risk can never be eliminated only ever mitigated
All interventions have unintended consequences and potential to do more harm than good
We saw this with the HK Covid response. A focus on regulatory control rather than education and failure to recognise that risk can never be eliminated only ever mitigated
All interventions have unintended consequences and potential to do more harm than good
Reposted by David Owens
Brendan
@brendanmcf.bsky.social
· Nov 16
HK's reaction to any perceived or actual safety risk is never to address those risks intelligently, respecting the needs of all, but to outright ban one group altogether, or make it almost impossible for them to continue. Look at TransitJam's battles on behalf of cyclists, for example.
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Big Wave Bay. A beautiful Hong Kong beach with great surf at this time of year
Who are the people who sit in committees and propose these regulations. What possible motivations drive them to make these insane laws which inhibit physical activity and damage population health.
Who are the people who sit in committees and propose these regulations. What possible motivations drive them to make these insane laws which inhibit physical activity and damage population health.
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Apr 24
The Impact of Wearable Technology on Healthcare by Dr David Owens
Explore how wearable technology is transforming healthcare through personalised data, improving diagnostics, and enhancing personal health management.
www.otandp.com
My first article on the impact of wearable technology👇
I am already seeing patients who have had their diagnosis made or confirmed by smart watch Increasing accuracy and impact will be driven by advances in technology in addition to AI driven algorithms
www.otandp.com/blog/impact-...
I am already seeing patients who have had their diagnosis made or confirmed by smart watch Increasing accuracy and impact will be driven by advances in technology in addition to AI driven algorithms
www.otandp.com/blog/impact-...
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Apr 24
AI and Machine Learning: The Evolving Reality of Predictive Healthcare by Dr David Owens
Exploring AI's impact on healthcare, focusing on challenges and solutions in data integration, ethics, and regulation for better patient care.
www.otandp.com
My second article on AI in healthcare 👇
AI will disrupt and accelerate change but ultimately how it is used as a tool will determine maximal impact
IMO it will be in administrative and system based processes that AI will have the greatest early impact
www.otandp.com/blog/ai-and-...
AI will disrupt and accelerate change but ultimately how it is used as a tool will determine maximal impact
IMO it will be in administrative and system based processes that AI will have the greatest early impact
www.otandp.com/blog/ai-and-...
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Nov 13
The contrast between the cityscape and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains is one of the many things I love about Hong Kong
West dogs tooth to Lantau Peak is probably my very favourite Hong Kong hike
West dogs tooth to Lantau Peak is probably my very favourite Hong Kong hike
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
All doctors in elite rugby have a duty of care. They must act in the interests of the player. Any doctor who abuses this process to gain a team advantage is not 'pushing the boundaries' they are guilty of serious professional misconduct and can be struck off the medical register
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Most concussions are diagnosed with HIA 1 but a smaller number present later HIA 2/3
All HIA and the process of calling HIA are audited and subject to peer review
6n
All HIA and the process of calling HIA are audited and subject to peer review
6n
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
A player who passes a HIA must report to the 4th official before 12 mins but can not enter the field until exactly 12 mins of real time (not ball in play time)
Any player undergoing a HIA1 will have a further assessment later same day (HIA 2) and 48-72 hours (HIA 3)
5n
Any player undergoing a HIA1 will have a further assessment later same day (HIA 2) and 48-72 hours (HIA 3)
5n
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Video review looks for criteria 1 & 2 signs. Any criteria 1 signs (eg. loss of consciousness)result in permanent removal no need to complete the HIA
The HIA involves a standardised screen of symptoms, cognitive testing recall balance physical examination & review of the video by both MDD and TD
4n
The HIA involves a standardised screen of symptoms, cognitive testing recall balance physical examination & review of the video by both MDD and TD
4n
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
The MDD must have experience and training in pitch side trauma and HIA and be independent of the teams
A HIA may be called by the referee, MDD, the team doctor (TD) but not the opposition TD
The decision to call a HIA is subject to explicit criteria including multi angle video analysis
3n
A HIA may be called by the referee, MDD, the team doctor (TD) but not the opposition TD
The decision to call a HIA is subject to explicit criteria including multi angle video analysis
3n
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
In elite rugby an independent match day doctor (MDD) oversees screening for concussion which may or may not be associated with foul play
Foul play is the responsibility of the referee team, the TMO and post match the citing officer. This process is completely independent of the medical process
2n
Foul play is the responsibility of the referee team, the TMO and post match the citing officer. This process is completely independent of the medical process
2n
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 21
For anyone interested in head injury assessment (HIA) in elite rugby here is a summary:
Concussion is a brain injury. It is the single greatest time loss injury in elite rugby The HIA process has significantly reduced the incidence of concussed players remaining on the field post injury....
1n
Concussion is a brain injury. It is the single greatest time loss injury in elite rugby The HIA process has significantly reduced the incidence of concussed players remaining on the field post injury....
1n
Reposted by David Owens
Perhaps the most important lesson of the pandemic:
For epidemic disease, small reductions in transmission have an *exponentially magnified* effect on infections.
For endemic disease, small reductions in transmission are *reduced* to an even smaller effect on infections.
1/
For epidemic disease, small reductions in transmission have an *exponentially magnified* effect on infections.
For endemic disease, small reductions in transmission are *reduced* to an even smaller effect on infections.
1/
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 9
I found Blue Island very powerful
David Owens
@drdowens.bsky.social
· Oct 9
A poet of pain, ecstasy and epiphany, Terence Davies is a colossal loss to British cinema
Thank goodness Davies experienced his late-career appreciation – he was a director of high seriousness and singularity and a man of vulnerability and true good humour
www.theguardian.com
There are 2 cities that I truly love
Terence Davies may be less celebrated than John, Paul, George or Ringo but Of Time and the City was a cinematic masterpiece to the city in which I was born
What movie would best celebrate the love that so many of us feel for Hong Kong?
Terence Davies may be less celebrated than John, Paul, George or Ringo but Of Time and the City was a cinematic masterpiece to the city in which I was born
What movie would best celebrate the love that so many of us feel for Hong Kong?