Why this university has a referral writing assignment for its medical students
Sloppy referrals are unsafe, says Dr Jennifer Neil from Monash University’s department of general practice.
Tag: Communication
Overloaded doctors can’t deliver the best care – when is the system going to be fixed?
While politicians debate the quality of healthcare based on bulk-billing rates, those at the coalface — GPs, ED staff, paramedics and patients — know the real story…
What GPs say matters, so choose your words wisely
We’ve all had a patient come in appalled or horrified about how another doctor has treated them. Most of the time, they just vent to…
Is it ever a good idea to give patients your mobile number?
Anxious patients — the so-called ‘worried well’ — are a notoriously difficult group to manage, especially after hours. These patients assume every cough is pneumonia, all chest…
Doctors aren’t formally taught to write medical letters – some are telegrams, others literary masterpieces
Having recently been the subject of correspondence between my GP and several specialists, I’ve been reflecting on the slightly archaic art of medical letter writing.…
In tough times, here’s how to win at general practice
As we emerge to live with COVID-19, work at the medical coalface is tough for all involved. Tough for practice staff, for GPs, for clinic…
Discharge letter to GP left out critical medication, says coroner
The doctor was never told the patient, who later died from bowel ischaemia, was meant to be on dual antiplatelet therapy: Victorian coroner.
New laws will end AHPRA’s ban on doctors using patient testimonials
The ban is a relic from a pre-social media era, declare health ministers.
GPs need ‘reliable’ discharge summary system, concludes inquest
An elderly patient's GP was left unaware that she had been prescribed both metoprolol and verapamil while hospitalised, says NSW coroner.
Labels like ‘schizo’ can hurt, so we came up with new clinical terms
It is common to hear people use stigmatising, discriminatory and hurtful labels such as ‘psycho’, ‘schizo’ or ‘totally bipolar’. Others might minimise conditions by saying…
