Farmer Bob proved that medical jargon can scare patients (almost) to death
We are all familiar with the power of words, whether it be those of kindness or anger, or those intended to harm or to heal.…
Tag: Views
A psychologist diagnosed Erin Patterson without examining her. Would you take that risk?
I was astonished to read an article last week in which a psychologist opined that Erin Patterson’s fabrications and lies were consistent with narcissistic personality…
Confidentiality doesn’t end at the courtroom door even when your patient is Erin Patterson
The Erin Patterson mushroom poisoning case has fascinated and horrified Australians, along with many others around the world who followed the trial as it played…
This year has driven home to me how difficult life can be for our migrant patients
As some of you are aware, I recently moved to the UK for a year. Many of my challenges in relocating, albeit temporarily, have led…
Medicinal cannabis is Australia’s new ‘Dopesick’ prescription drug
Traditional prescribing is derived from a thorough history, examination, relevant investigations and evidence-based selection of the appropriate pharmaceutical if needed. The recent AHPRA crackdown on…
Why are 1000 newly qualified GPs unemployed in the UK while Australia is crying out for more?
Why are two basically similar health systems, 17,000km apart, producing different workloads and different employment opportunities for GPs? According to one source, there are now…
As a medical student, I looked forward to ‘white coat’ prestige — but I soon discovered that’s not real medicine
I entered medicine like many young doctors do: eager, determined and drawn to its promise of excellence. The white coat, the respect, the thrill of…
Axing this essential GP service makes no sense
Dr Pam Rachootin.Alas, federal funding for the exemplary Drug and Therapeutics Information Service ended on the last day of June. I am devastated, as I…
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…
