Bumfuzzle, tittynope? Why medicine needs more jargon
Doctors are often accused of speaking in jargon to the detriment of communication with patients. But I would argue there just isn’t enough medical jargon to succinctly…
Dr Pam Rachootin
Dr Rachootin is a GP in Adelaide, SA.
GPs deserve aggravation rebates — the bulk-billing assignment of benefit mess proves it
Dr Pam Rachootin.The Federal Government has paused its new assignment-of-benefit rules for bulk-billed claims for 12 months, after GP groups warned the requirement for a…
Why a thankyou letter from a specialist rang my bullshit alarm
Over the years I’ve encountered the occasional typo in a specialist’s letter that has made me smile. Like the radiology report of a brain with…
‘Maybe I’ll just die in my sleep’: When the very old have had enough of medical care
When asked how old he was, he replied: “Ninety-something or other.” Who can keep track at that age? He was still living independently, with concerned…
Pharmacists initiating the OCP makes as much sense as a tradie with a drill treating a brain tumour
The equivalent of fast food, ‘pharmaco-mutated medicine’, seems to be on the menu, with the decision to allow pharmacists to initiate oral contraceptives in Victoria…
National script system: Punishing GPs for problems created by government policy
The latest scheme to drive GPs completely insane is arriving. Let’s punish GPs for fragmented care engineered by government policy, making GPs register every script…
So why are there no female GPs in the Australia Day Honours?
The results are stark: this year there are apparently no female GPs who are deserving of recognition on Australia Day. And even among non-GP specialists, 31…
Stamped out: A warning for general practice
During the holiday period I was saddened by news of the loss of the Danish national postal system. Low volume, prohibitive costs and digitalisation spelled…
A few of my least favourite things: A holiday sing-a-long for GPs
Sung to the tune of My Favourite Things: Verse 1: Projectile vomits and diarrhoeaUrethral discharge from gonorrhoeaTravellers return from their trips overseasBringing back home their…
I trialled metoprolol for migraine — the side effects left me too scared to go to bed
I’ve had an interesting relationship with beta-blockers. Some years ago I trialled metoprolol for migraine prevention. During the day I was transported into a profound…
