Opinion

Medical Observer Opinion

Why this eminent GP can forgo a tie - but can't quite give up the beard

13th December 2019
At medical school, I wore a tie in the hospital, but not in lectures or laboratory classes. It seemed an unnecessary…
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Professor Max Kamien with his wife Jackie
Medical Observer Opinion

How junk food shapes the developing teen brain

13th December 2019
Obesity is increasing worldwide, especially among children and teenagers. More than 150 million children in the world are…
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Junk food
Medical Observer Opinion

The difficulty of putting a price on quality care

12th December 2019
In our market economy, we can buy what we want, as long as it’s available, and we have the money. And we normally expect the…
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Doctor
Medical Observer Opinion

Why it pays to wear a hat, sunscreen and good genes

12th December 2019
With one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and a UV protection message that has been drilled into children for…
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Fun in the sun
Medical Observer Opinion

It's simple - unless GPs are rewarded for care co-ordination, patients will suffer

11th December 2019
As a family doctor, I receive a lot of reports from emergency room visits, consultations and hospitalisations. Many such…
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Report
Medical Observer Opinion

How forceps permanently changed the way humans are born

11th December 2019
Obstetric forceps look like ninja weapons. They come as a pair: 16 inches of solid steel for each hand with curved 'blades'…
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Newborn
Medical Observer Opinion

The time is now for health reform - why are we still waiting?

10th December 2019
Is this government up to the challenge of meaningful health reform? I must say I am beginning to severely doubt it. Why?…
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Health reform