Axing this essential GP service makes no sense
Alas, federal funding for the exemplary Drug and Therapeutics Information Service ended on the last day of June. I am devastated, as I know other…
Medical Observer
Unique doctor-written opinion and analysis
RFK Jr is supercharging vaccine scepticism around the world: Here are the possible repercussions
The United States used to be a leader in vaccine research, development and policymaking. Now the US Secretary of Health, Robert F Kennedy Jr, is…
My unwanted detour to the ED took me back to the 1980s
I recently had the illuminating experience of being a hospital patient. I’d been postponing surgery for a long-term umbilical hernia — until one day, complications…
By the time you read this, I hope a new and improved Dr Pam has been zapped into being
At a recent visit to an electrophysiologist, I was asked about my recurrent SVTs, which were getting to be more frequent and more difficult to…
Are GPs doomed to go the way of the dodo? My thoughts on the future of general practice
Unfortunately, I suspect that the independent self-employed GP is the oozlum bird of the medical profession — that mythical creature that flies in ever-decreasing circles…
The GP wound care scheme is an important first step in stopping a hidden epidemic
The Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS) promises to offer financial relief to around 20,000 Australians living with chronic wounds. As the country’s peak body for…
Inaccurate and misogynistic: Why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history
Tonsillectomy, appendectomy, lumpectomy make sense. The suffix ‘ectomy‘ denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so these terms give a clear idea of what…
Is hospital admission really the gold standard for mental health patients presenting to ED?
Sometimes, clusters of thoughts or issues occur together, leading to greater insights. It was not long after I had written my AusDoc article on the…
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…
I’d be rich if I had a dollar for every unwanted comment about my weight
Something I’ve struggled with my whole life is my weight. Not because I’m unhappy with my body, but because others seem to be. Let me…
