Are younger doctors too scared to prescribe S4 painkillers?
One thing that pisses me off, as a late-career doctor, is the number of younger GPs who seem to be scared to prescribe certain S4…
Opinion
Unique doctor-written opinion and analysis
Mark Butler, your job is not the extortion of GPs through Medicare
Health Minister Mark Butler says he “could not in good conscience” boost rebates instead of bulk-billing incentives. Mr Butler, you still don’t get it. Indexing…
Are Trump’s tariffs a blessing in disguise for our medical workforce and the Aussie space program?
I used to joke that I was a refugee from Los Angeles. I left the US over 45 years ago, and even back then I…
Ruptured ACLs, infectious diseases, fractured bones — grandparenting can be hazardous to your health
Grandparenting can be hazardous. I have identified a number of potential risks for grandparents who maintain active interactions with their grandchildren. This fun-loving grandparent, known…
From workaholic GP to chef and travel planner — why I’m taking a year off
I never thought I’d see the day where I took a year off work and voluntarily relocated to the other side of the world —…
I’ve mentored many ‘top doctors’ who struggled with exams: I agree we need other fellowship pathways
Dr Pam Rachootin recently argued that general practice is losing many talented doctors because of the inflexibility of the assessment measures used to work out…
Why does leaving medicine feel like leaving a cult?
“Shame on you for glorifying people leaving such a noble profession.” That’s a little … intense. I was jolted but, unfortunately, not surprised by this…
Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan is a threat to our patients’ health
Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s scheme to build seven nuclear reactors has raised concerns about the high cost, the ongoing excess atmospheric carbon as we wait…
VAD for those tired of life? We shouldn’t be forced to stay around for the end of the last act
Last month, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas pledged changes to relax the state’s voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation. So, are these sensible improvements designed to…
The truth about violent mental health patients that no-one wants to hear
Of late we have been reading more and more about violent crime linked to alleged failings of the mental health system, but little about the…
