Missing the diagnosis when the elephant is in the room
The patient was a fit-looking lady in her early 80s, booked in to see me for her routine driver’s licence medical examination. She and her…
Dr Rachel Glasson
Dr Rachel Glasson is a GP in Sydney, NSW.
Patients want vending-machine medicine: Why I’m leaving general practice for an urgent care clinic
When the Federal Government decided to plough $1 billion into urgent care clinics, Dr Rachel Glasson was among those accusing the government of cannibalising the…
My disturbing adventure as an accidental medical tourist
The term ‘medical tourism’ is usually used to refer to people who, for reasons of availability or cost, travel outside Australia for medical procedures. In…
My father was the best dad in the world, but I’ve only just discovered he was a medical pioneer
Dr Rachel Glasson.My father, Dr Martin Glasson, died quite suddenly in October. He was a retired paediatric surgeon, and although I always knew he was…
Trump’s paracetamol warning is misogyny masquerading as evidence-based medicine
Dr Rachel Glasson.It’s a strange day when the President of the United States of America feels the need to start giving medical advice to expectant…
A chatbot told a patient their delusions were real, so why are we asking if AI can replace doctors?
I’ve read quite a few articles recently that all ask the same question: Could AI take the place of your romantic partner/friends/therapist/doctor? Probably a better…
I miss the days when patients told me I was too young to be a doctor
Over the many years I’ve spent working in medicine, patients have said lots of things to me. A few phrases stand out because I have…
Can you sit in silence for 60 seconds with a tight-lipped patient? Most GPs can’t
As GPs, we spend our days talking. Sure, we listen, we ask questions, we examine. But most of all we talk. I’ve written before about…
Reality check: GPs are now regarded as expensive script vending machines
The patient sits down at the start of their 15-minute appointment and pulls out their list. My face betrays the surge of anticipatory anxiety inspired…
Why is it so hard to say no when patients demand unnecessary treatments?
We GPs are practical types. Not only do we like to tell people what to do, we also like having the skills to do things…
