The “system” by which general practitioners refer patients to specialists is a mystery to most people, myself included, and I worked in the health sector for several years. How and why do GPs select which specialists to refer people to? Why should you need a referral to see a skin specialist if you have a [...]
Inspirational story
It was inspirational to read about the Maryborough doctor who saved a boy’s life by drilling into his brain with a builder’s tool to relieve pressure. Country GP Rob Carson made a deep incision in the boy’s head and removed a deadly blood clot. The boy was not wearing a helmet when he fell off [...]
Pointing to a diagnosis
If a finger doctor or dermatologist happens to cruise past I would appreciate their (free) opinion regarding the lumps on the index finger of my right hand. It started as a couple of small spots in July. Being winter and shortly after our arrival from Kalgoorlie, I thought they were chilblains, which I had once [...]
Stop poaching doctors from poor countries
I’m not sure about the desirability or sustainability of Australia poaching doctors from poor countries to fill vacancies in our depleted medical workforce. The “great brain drain” it’s known as around the world. The United Kingdom, United States and other affluent nations also recruit third world doctors. In Australia, more than 10 percent of the [...]
Cold and flu tablets
I’ve got my first major head cold for the year. It’s not surprising given that several staff were off sick at various times last week and the weather is “freeze your balls off” as one newspaper letter writer succinctly put it. I know American bloggers think we’re soft when we complain about the cold, but [...]
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