tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223386422011-11-15T16:21:48.925+10:00All about medicine, surgery, and the Australian way of life.Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.comBlogger1301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-48622211753663830212011-01-05T13:28:00.000+10:002011-01-05T13:28:17.971+10:00

The latest edition of Grand Rounds is up at Pizaazz, and we get a mention!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-41208274157820234942010-12-31T15:39:00.092+10:002010-12-31T15:50:11.744+10:00

I thought that I would make my last post for 2010 a recap of the fight against quackery and shonky medicine in Australia. The ACCC and TGA seem to be finally growing some balls because we have seen public action against Fatzap, Power Balance Bands, and now AMI. So far, AMI has filed for liquidation, Power Balance's Tom O'Dowd has admitted that his claims are rubbish, but FatZap is still standing

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-85099588433398705482010-09-01T23:39:00.005+10:002010-09-01T23:47:07.106+10:00

I posted an entry some time ago about the move to digital stethoscopes under "Listen to me..." Now I see that we can dispose of the stethoscope and just use our iPhones. This is one app that I am definitely not purchasing. I used to have a consultant physician who taught me that "The most important part of a stethoscope is the bit between the earpieces." Sage advice. iPhone set to replace

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-1971955340228268242010-08-17T07:30:00.001+10:002010-08-17T23:48:04.246+10:00

HP and Dreamworks' Halo Videoconferencing Solution. Completely unnecessary for doctors, but it sure looks cool. I love e-things. I am a gadgety sort of person – and yes, I do have a fancy super-duper iPaddy kind of thing. I consider myself to be techno-savvy, and run my private practice with an almost paperless electronic records system. I am an early adopter of many technologies, and will

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-1141136151623915282010-07-09T14:23:00.008+10:002010-07-09T14:23:00.246+10:00

Unfortunately, like most other doctors, I have retrieved my share of foreign bodies. I obviously appreciate that there are some people who get a thrill out of putting objects inside themselves (and for some others, that thrill extends to having it removed). But as a person who abstains from wearing a watch, ring, necklace, bracelet, getting pierced, tattooed or otherwise mutilated in any way, I

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-81601076333666659322010-06-16T19:51:00.002+10:002010-06-16T19:57:37.525+10:00

(Originally Posted 12/6/2010, Updated 16/6/2010) To be honest, I am not big on Blog Awards. I don't blog to receive an award, and I don't pay much attention if someone else has an award. Mainly I think it is because most of the time I think they are some junky thing made up by someone in order to drum up links back to themselves and raise their search ranking. Call me a cynic, but I think the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-71569819373433133292010-06-15T21:32:00.003+10:002010-09-01T23:43:54.284+10:00

It is with great sadness that I note that Dr John Crippen aka nhsblogdoc has decided to stop blogging, and furthermore remove all of his previous posts. He has been a major force in medical blogging, and inspired me to begin blogging in the first place. Numerous posts by me have been stimulated by his lead. I don't understand this Hospitals Behaving Badly Sister, I'm Speechless It is certainly

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-63259149324616592222010-06-10T20:57:00.000+10:002010-06-10T20:57:09.696+10:00

I must say that I really have no idea what it is about my posts on this topic, or perhaps this whole issue in general, that has caused such a heated response. I thought this was just an innocent comment on the activities of the ACCC and my own conjecture as to what might or might not have happened, and the wider implications of the ACCC's actions. I must make clear that I do not know Craig

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-11360429567707541872010-03-09T23:26:00.007+10:002010-05-21T23:36:24.048+10:00

It has been a big week in healthcare news. One cannot have missed all the talk about Kevin Rudd's bold new plan, to take health care where health care has never been before (except in Victoria). Much of these reforms derive from the previously published NHHRC report which I will not expand upon. I will, however, give some of my mind on efficiency in the medical sector. Nicola Roxon loves banging

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-13829667204549713872009-09-08T17:35:00.001+10:002009-09-08T17:36:53.987+10:00

Grand Rounds is up at Medic 999. Help! I'm being flooded with links!!!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-9716352395823079992009-09-07T08:00:00.003+10:002009-09-07T08:02:18.931+10:00

The next SurgeXperiences 305 is up at Amanzimtoti. Go, now!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-68407752696430657762009-09-01T15:35:00.005+10:002009-09-06T00:28:47.268+10:00

I had a little chuckle when I saw the Cosmetic Physicians getting upset at what they perceive to be the underhanded tactics of some Cosmetic Nurses.For the benefit of those who have been living under a rock, there is a movement called Cosmetic Medicine. It is championed by the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine and the so-called Australasian

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-89750951875686244652009-08-24T08:10:00.002+10:002009-08-25T15:36:25.035+10:00

The big news this week has been that the ACCC is on the prowl again. Medical work practices are not new ground here - the ACCC has previously stoushed with the RACS over surgical training, as well as Queensland obstetricians and more recently Adelaide heart surgeons (my previous posts ACCC Strikes Again and Bleeding Hearts in Private Hospitals). In fact the ACCC has so much interest in the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-3449558883935026542009-08-18T22:59:00.003+10:002009-08-18T23:18:51.583+10:00

Seasoned readers may recall my previous post "10 Years in Limbo" about the 10 year moratorium placed on overseas-graduated doctors.The 10 Year Moratorium applies to New Zealanders as well, as despite their special visa status they are not considered permanent residents even when enrolled in Australian Medical Schools, and the only way around this is to obtain permanent residency prior to

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-17174352571058566782009-05-07T21:01:00.005+10:002009-05-07T21:44:36.739+10:00

We all know the swine flu jokes..."When will there be a mass outbreak of human/avian swine flu? When pigs fly.""I think I have the swine flu. I'm coming out in rashers.""The only known cure for Swine Flu has been found to be the liberal application of oinkment.""Apparently my mate's got Swine Flu, I think he's just telling porkies, though.""How do you know you've got swine flu? The thermometer

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-66091795451482918552009-04-28T11:43:00.003+10:002009-04-28T11:50:01.225+10:00

This is a series of entertaining and very true posts from Bongi over at Other Things Amanzi:to swear does in fact help.fear nothing but fear itself.all bleeding stops.enjoy.it is in fact always the surgeon's fault.take a moment.break the tension, don't add to it.we do it to impress the chicks.Clearly Bongi is more successful at impressing chicks because when I did what he did they all went off

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-11169577057915415042009-04-24T03:07:00.003+10:002009-04-24T03:11:39.703+10:00

The Birthday Edition of Grand Rounds is up at Diabetes Mine. This blog scores an entry yet again - woohoo!Next edition will be at SixUntilMe. Just don't try saying it with a New Zealand accent. Because it would be weird telling you to go check out "Sex 'n Tell Me".

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-30735078892761119782009-04-22T06:58:00.000+10:002009-04-22T06:58:00.145+10:00

Along with many other health-related bloggers, I have received numerous invitations to join the Healthblogger / Wellsphere network from a Dr Geoffrey Rutledge.Here is an example (copies of Dr Rutledge's mail-merged posts are commonplace on the Internet, so I do not think I am betraying any trust by reproducing his email here):Hi ,Congratulations again for being invited to join the HealthBlogger

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-44574302006071280712009-04-21T09:50:00.002+10:002009-04-21T10:15:16.907+10:00

The current edition of SurgeXperiences is up at Suture for a LivingNext edition will be hosted by Other Things Amanzi.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-86782612572897929212009-04-14T23:46:00.003+10:002009-04-20T09:01:51.973+10:00

Pharmamotion is hosting Grand Rounds this week. Head over there to check it out - even this blog gets a mention this week!Next week, it will be the turn of Diabetes Mine. Get your entries in early!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-63074616760357520592009-04-11T11:53:00.002+10:002009-04-11T13:57:57.126+10:00

I received an insightful comment from Anonymous in response to my post on Waiting Lists. My reply follows. Anonymous said...I disagree with the assumption that waiting list manipulation doesn't change how long patients wait for operations.If we use a lie (using stats) to say there is no waiting list problem then additional resources will not be allocated and ignore attempts at increasing real

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-25541022238889946582009-04-10T06:40:00.001+10:002009-04-10T06:40:00.447+10:00

&nbspWhere hospital administrators meet... and where doctors meet.One of the discussion boards I attend recently commented on the usefulness of multidisciplinary meetings. These are typically where one unit has a combined meeting with another unit (often to review cases, radiological imaging, or histopathology) in order to reach consensus views on how to manage a particular case. These are quite

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-77967469338322650502009-04-08T07:32:00.002+10:002009-04-11T00:27:40.798+10:00

Grand Rounds Vol 5 Issue 29 is up at Getting Closer to Myself. Make sure you go and check it up for a roundup of the medical blogosphere!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-49686176834364174982009-04-01T17:05:00.006+10:002009-04-02T23:43:02.539+10:00

Waiting in Line at the Eiffel Tower - gadl @ FlickrIt is hard to ignore the news in Victoria about waiting list manipulation. Ho hum. This is old news. If you want to know how to manipulate a waiting list, refer to my previous blog entry. Every few months a politician rants on about how waiting lists are down and everything is just dandy. Shortly after the opposition carries on about how waiting

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-2836923125817352862009-03-26T05:34:00.006+10:002010-12-30T23:44:28.780+10:00

I can't make it much simpler than that, can I?It is commonplace that blogs are used for comment spam - some would consider it a valid and respectable technique for search engine optimisation (or SEO, in geek-speak). This is basically where you try to drum up links to your website by posting a whole bunch of comments on various other (more respectable) websites or blogs in the hope that search

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-879147175139228182009-03-24T14:51:00.000+10:002009-03-24T14:51:00.623+10:00

Thanks to Tracy who pointed out that the latest developments on this - the parents have overturned the judgement on appeal and have won their compensation.Lesbians win $300K compo over double IVF bungle - The Daily Telegraph(Click to Expand)Lesbians win $300K compo over double IVF bungleFebruary 13, 2009 12:00amA LESBIAN couple who said having two IVF babies instead of one damaged their

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-41012484011149368812009-03-23T08:52:00.001+10:002009-03-23T08:52:01.091+10:00

God I love Media Watch!Here is their take on the misquoting and misattribution of an imaginary plan to "seize" obese children from their families after an article in the MJA part-authored by Westmead's Obesity Maven, Dr Shirley Alexander.PDF of the original article is available here via Media Watch.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-43448037526820845162009-02-09T12:58:00.001+10:002009-02-09T12:58:00.856+10:00

Like many others, we sweltered over the weekend. But that was nothing - to hear that over 100 people have lost their lives in bushfires in Victoria is devastating. We are yet to hear from all our friends, but we hope that no-one has been injured. At the end of the day, property is replaceable but people aren't.Maybe it is a reflection of how close we choose to court danger, or how deceptive the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-29664517308266359482009-02-02T21:36:00.000+10:002009-02-01T00:15:44.159+10:00

This is probably the domain of Dr Crippen but the more I read about the NHS the worse it seems to be.What does the NHS Centre for Involvement do?And do they really really need a National Knowledge and Question Answering Service?. I thought that's what AskJeeves, Universities and libraries were for. Before you know it there will be a Ministry of Truth.Too bad the NHS' Jargon Buster service doesn't

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-77998267205103617922009-02-01T05:17:00.000+10:002009-02-01T05:17:00.647+10:00

After a long break, I have decided to resume my intermittent blogging. I know that it has been some time, and that many of you may have moved on to more regular and more exciting blogs, but nevertheless, I still have the urge to vent.So I hope that you have all had a good Christmas, Hannukah, New Year, and New Year.Part of the reason that I have been quiet is that I now find myself on both sides

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-35905941204462231982008-08-14T23:43:00.001+10:002008-08-14T23:43:00.663+10:00

"Mrs Burns?"40 heads turn around in the outpatients waiting area as I call for the next patient. "Mrs Burns?"A chubby elderly lady stands up with her daughter and they make their way into the windowless consulting room.It's a fairly standard consultation. Her GP has referred this moderately obese woman in her late 50s with two episodes of colicky abdominal pain over the last six months. An

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-31506310627374099232008-07-25T09:34:00.003+10:002008-07-25T09:49:26.018+10:00

As a followup to my earlier post, The Unwanted Child, I thought that I would link to more recent reports in this case.Basically the parents have been unsuccessful in their lawsuit, and I breathe a sigh of relief (as a medical professional). For more information, follow these links.Lesbians fail in lawsuit over child (SMH) (Click to See)Lesbians fail in lawsuit over childMelissa JenkinsJuly 25,

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-32737312544920251332008-06-24T12:22:00.004+10:002010-12-30T23:44:28.783+10:00

ACA - Heart Check ConLast year, I wrote a blog entry entitled Heart Check? Blank Cheque!.It looks like our good friend, A Current Affair, has put their "investigative skills" to the case and done a slag piece on Heart Check. Please note that I had absolutely nothing to do with this - but I don't feel the least bit sorry for them.Clearly this piece has had more effect than my blog entry, as this

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-69587673727987590422008-06-16T18:10:00.001+10:002008-06-16T18:10:00.857+10:00

A few months ago, one of my private patients took a turn for the worse. She had had a minor procedure which had gone smoothly. Unfortunately, in the several hours after the operation she developed some bleeding under the wound. I was not notified.I returned the next day to find a tennis-ball sized haematoma, five layers of gauze and combine reinforcement, and a drain bottle that had fallen out.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-190578638167908592008-06-15T22:05:00.003+10:002008-06-15T22:09:43.668+10:00

Dr Crippen at NHS Blog Doctor posted this edition, and along with QuietusLeo at The Sandman, kindly included my last post on organ donation.Please go and read them - they are fascinating links as usual.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-1143030446090719792008-06-06T08:31:00.000+10:002008-06-06T08:34:26.661+10:00

I was consenting one of my patients for a routine operation the other day (more on "informed consent" another day), when while discussing the incidence of major complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or death, he said to me: "Doc, if anything like that happens to me, or if it looks like I'm going to die, I'd like to donate my organs."It struck me as rather odd that he would say that

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-16412101767177168812008-05-19T01:16:00.004+10:002008-05-29T00:03:40.041+10:00

It’s been eye-opening to read submissions from all over the medical blogosphere this fortnight. This is the first blog carnival I have hosted, and I now appreciate the amount of effort that previous hosts have put into it.A few weeks ago, a young man presented with a chicken bone lodged transversely in his distal rectum. After the ED registrar and consultant had spent over an hour trying to

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-32562162248684523092008-05-11T09:36:00.002+10:002008-05-11T09:39:45.531+10:00

As I am hosting the next SurgeXperiences Blog Carnival on May 25, I guess I better read some blog entries.I have no rules - just go ahead and make your submission and then I'll read them. I'm not one to post everything that gets submitted - but don't take any omission as a personal rejection... It's most likely I just didn't get around to reading it!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-86728622137085270172008-05-08T21:20:00.000+10:002008-05-08T21:20:01.472+10:00

Mrs Hodge walks in with her wheelie frame. She is not happy. Neither is her daughter."I'm sorry about the wait," I say as I usher them into the cramped, drab Outpatients cubicle. "As you can see, we have been very busy and are a bit behind"."So you should be," she snaps. "I've been out there for an hour and a half. This is pathetic. You better fix me or I'm walking out of here now."I already get

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-44657579373712812852008-04-22T14:55:00.003+10:002008-04-22T15:23:40.709+10:00

Does this sound strangely familiar?Hospital bottleneck stymies nurse planSiobhain Ryan | April 20, 2008 - The AustralianGOVERNMENT needs to put the brakes on plans on massively boost nursing numbers until they solve the worst shortage in hospital training places the profession has seen, John Daly, Chair of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand), said.Professor

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-56627407516252393192008-04-20T20:49:00.003+10:002008-04-20T21:05:32.495+10:00

Paging Dr has had some discussion on fashion amongst medical students and junior doctors. In Australia, we don't generally have the advantage of covering everything with a white lab coat. I'm no fashionista, and I recognise that there is a great deal of variety in how people choose to dress.From a practical standpoint, These are my tips for fashion in the clinical environment:Wear something easy

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-29884179464749759502008-04-18T13:33:00.002+10:002008-04-18T13:42:05.331+10:00

As every new inbound link is precious to me (mainly because I don't have that many) I have agreed to host one of these Blog Carnival thingies in the next few weeks. This is somewhat of a problem since I tend to just write what I think, and don't go around reading other people's blogs all the time unless there is something specific that catches my eye. Does that make me a hypocrite?In any case, I

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-31459432281270357782008-04-13T22:33:00.001+10:002008-04-18T13:33:32.862+10:00

My experience is that about one in 20 examination gloves (not to be confused with surgical gloves) have a fault of some sort - breaking while being put on, unexpected size discrepancy, holes present already in the glove, deformed glove or adherent to another glove.I must admit, however, that I am not a big glove wearer. Cringe if you will, but I do not wear gloves to examine groins, scrota, or

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-50836096457386629432008-03-27T17:36:00.006+10:002008-03-27T17:58:21.793+10:00

Every now and again I see someone who is interested in buying an electronic stethoscope. I think it's great for people with hearing impediments. But I think it should stop there. If you keep going, then what is the difference between a stethoscope and a portable ultrasound or echo machine?Patient: "Hi, I'm booked for a Stethoscopy?"Receptionist: "Yes, Mr Patient. Please take a seat. The

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-23773036573169534522008-03-12T07:17:00.002+10:002008-03-11T23:44:30.494+10:00

This article in Academic Medicine recently caught my eye, observing that US medical students have a declining level of empathy for their patients during the course of their studies.March 2008, 83:3Fulltext | PDF (82 K)Is There Hardening of the Heart During Medical School? Physician-Patient RelationshipAcademic Medicine. 83(3):244-249, March 2008.Newton, Bruce W. PhD; Barber, Laurie MD; Clardy,

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-67572262610147844402008-02-20T07:22:00.000+10:002008-02-20T00:23:39.314+10:00

Apologies to those who have trouble expanding collapsed articles for reading. The relevant piece of HTML/Javascript magickery has been repaired.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-75908246550307109312008-02-19T21:28:00.002+10:002008-02-20T00:21:56.059+10:00

For those who are unaware, there is a surgeon in Melbourne who has been the subject of a number of accusations leading to his suspension, amongst them that he is difficult to work with (or for), that he performs unnecessary operative procedures on serious trauma patients, and that he has been engaging in improper billing practices. These allegations are currently being hotly debated in the press

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-39302626479858590952008-02-17T20:15:00.001+10:002008-02-17T21:03:31.395+10:00

I have been following, on and off, a thread on Paging Dr about how to "Survive First Year". After three pages of posts it is a bit muddled about the first year of what, but all the talk about work-life balance has raised the hairs on the back of my neck.Now don't get me wrong, I am not against doctors having a social life and being able to wind down away from work. Heaven forbid, my family would

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-82626805520346965222008-01-10T16:08:00.000+10:002008-01-15T18:18:59.531+10:00

Every registrar or consultant has a talk that they give to new interns joining their team. It is about establishing heirarchy, rules, standard operating procedure, and team-building.My talk generally incorporates a few important principles:Your job is to make my job easier. Just don't do anything illegal, unethical, or dangerous in order to do so.The consultants may mark your assessment form, but

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-55166344457151195302007-12-23T06:07:00.002+10:002010-09-01T23:48:27.900+10:00

This is really just a followup post to mention that Dr Mohammed Haneef has finally jumped all the hurdles to retain his working visa and return to work in Australia as a doctor. Perhaps his trip to Mecca has made all the difference, perhaps it is the Federal Court giving him a Christmas Present. It doesn't matter - common sense has prevailed. And as for the rest of you, may you all make the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-13187126579321311352007-12-15T00:20:00.000+10:002007-12-15T00:25:44.550+10:00

Thanks to Jeffrey, this blog has caught the eye of Dr. Alice over at Cut On The Dotted Line who hosted the 10th Edition of the SurgExperiences Blog Carnival recently.If you are interested in surgical blogs, then feel free to check it out here.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-3936180552188373892007-11-29T23:29:00.000+10:002007-11-29T23:32:42.037+10:00

I've been a bit tardy in blogging due to work commitments, but The Paper Mask has made it into Grand Rounds again!This week's Grand Rounds is hosted by Prudence MD.Make sure you check it out!

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-75253992885343165832007-11-23T22:01:00.001+10:002007-11-25T00:40:51.941+10:00

PagingDr is back up and running, less a few hundred posts.There is a great deal of talk about what happened. I am not passing judgement on anyone involved.I have received this email and I post it verbatim, with permission from the author.(Click to Expand)---------- Forwarded message ----------From: HildyDate: Nov 22, 2007 7:26 AMSubject: a confession and an apology.To: PagingDr AdminsI'm sorry

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-68712060344462162992007-11-21T23:37:00.000+10:002007-11-21T23:51:18.251+10:00

Unfortunately something has gone wrong with the PagingDr forums. I don't know what, but my eyelid is starting to twitch from withdrawal symptoms.This is from Bel at Audaci.netBreaking my silence to let you all know that the Paging Dr forum has been put into maintenance mode temporarily to protect the posts. A user deleted 400 posts in the space of nine minutes, and not just their own, which says

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-11653433151997994982007-11-19T22:36:00.002+10:002009-09-02T22:34:32.127+10:00

As a follow-on to a recent discussion thread over at PagingDr, I had cause to review the effect of the 10 Year Moratorium on Medicare Provider Benefits.This has been a big deal because it effectively limits non-Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents from gaining access to Medicare Provider Benefits.You may recall from the first instalment of my Mind the Gap Series that outside of the public

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-17941496188323643852007-11-18T10:14:00.000+10:002007-11-18T10:18:48.636+10:00

I recently wrote about how to reduce hospital waiting lists.Modern technology has come up with a new way to reduce them, as evidenced here in the SMH.3000 patients byte the dustLisa CartyNovember 18, 2007THE State Government has denied fudging hospital waiting list numbers, blaming the installation of a new computer for the omission of patients at two Central Coast hospitals from the latest

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-79172924090059359662007-11-17T20:34:00.001+10:002007-11-18T08:29:06.413+10:00

I was recently alerted by Dr Clare Skinner (who features in this article in the AFR) as to the existence of this website, Clinicians Speak Out. To be honest, I am not 100% certain what the purpose of the website is, as it is set up like a blog, but seems to act a little like a noticeboard and a discussion forum in one. Nevertheless, the premise behind the organisation running it is

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-23624161981359824432007-11-13T22:26:00.000+10:002007-11-17T20:27:43.641+10:00

Will they never learn? Kevin Rudd announced a commitment to build Family Healthcare Clinics for Defence Force members and their families. That doesn't bother me one little bit. Go for it, Kev.This statement, however, left me frustrated that both major parties continue to fail to appreciate how the medical workforce works, and illustrates the simplistic concepts that seem to underpin major

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-31172274904525325452007-11-11T05:34:00.000+10:002007-11-13T23:22:21.288+10:00

I came across this article in the Financial Review a few weeks ago. Unfortunately it is not online, so I have had to transcribe it manually. It raises a lot of issues - the declining status of doctors in our society, the hotch-potch of remuneration packages needed to fill gaps in medical staffing due to poor workforce planning, the loss of job satisfaction and thus the reducing amount of

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-55218093741766737402007-11-01T22:52:00.000+10:002007-11-10T23:42:34.000+10:00

"Your mission, Kevin, should you decide to accept it, is to radically cut elective surgical waiting lists. Your target is to ensure that no patient is waiting beyond their waiting list category time. As usual, should you or any member of your I.M. Force be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Kevin

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-22749909610233825892007-10-26T21:47:00.000+10:002007-10-27T10:01:16.413+10:00

According to Deborah Powell from the New Zealand Rabid Dogs Resident Doctors' Association, Australian doctors are paid well above that of New Zealand doctors.Apart from the fact that New Zealand doctors have working conditions and education allowances that doctors in Australia regularly salivate over, have no need to worry about medical indemnity insurance, work with nursing staff who in general

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-88150703176013312512007-10-24T00:14:00.000+10:002007-10-24T00:20:42.588+10:00

After seeing Adam Spencer talk about this on television a few days ago, and then M&TS write about it on her blog, I decided to check out this link.Initially I saw it moving clockwise, but 30 seconds later it was moving anticlockwise. Now it changes direction every now and then.What does that say about me?

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-17640125107361422852007-10-11T19:34:00.000+10:002007-10-12T02:22:02.501+10:00

I had the pleasure of checking this web page recently:I thought I'd click on the link entitled "Find vacancies for this occupation". This is what I found:Personally, I don't think that I would do 6 years of undergraduate training, and over 10 years of postgraduate specialist training, so that I could apply for a job as Bar Staff.Admittedly, $17-20/hr is better than what I got as an intern.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-75208460361644034082007-10-03T23:40:00.000+10:002007-10-04T00:00:09.694+10:00

gasboy07 from My ETHEReal Adventures (link removed) has taken down his blog.Unfortunately he has been persuaded to cease blogging:Thank you everyone who has been visiting my blog in the past - as you have noticed I have had to remove it, based on advice from a few people. It is unfortunate, but such is life.gasboy07 from PagingDrEven worse, after gasboy07 deleted all of his posts and deregistered

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-66238457406201977422007-10-02T00:22:00.000+10:002007-10-02T00:32:58.904+10:00

I have previously given my opinions on the treatment of Dr Mohammed Haneef.Haneef, Andrews and HowardTerrorist Medical PoliticsPlaying Politics with Other People's LivesGlobal Doctor TradingTonight's 4 Corners program on the ABC has given a good summary of the situation so far.The Flash Video version is here. Also available is some background reading from 4 Corners as well as the program

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-73205996119263260052007-10-01T20:29:00.000+10:002007-10-01T20:29:52.418+10:00

Milk & Two Sugars from Tea at Ten recently made a post about being uncomfortable when scrubbed in theatre. I gave her some suggestions in the comments, and she suggested that I post my tips to my own blog, so here goes.Ten Things to Make Scrubbing Up EasierMake sure you have a piss before you start. Or get a pair of those NASA astronaut undies.Do calf pumps and change your stance regularly, or

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-90869501895638049852007-09-25T22:56:00.000+10:002007-11-10T23:45:05.736+10:00

This case disturbs me in the same way that it would disturb much of the community:Should a couple who are unable to have children naturally due to a lifestyle choice be allowed to do so via IVF?Should the birth of a healthy, but unintended child be something for which compensation should be claimed?Should the ACT continue to have medical negligence laws that are out of step with the rest of

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-54135594434293377812007-09-23T20:00:00.000+10:002007-09-23T20:53:36.183+10:00

I have had a running discussion (well, running may not be the word... let's say a slow-paced stroll) with an Anonymous commenter about my previous post Ann Bolch Meets Doogie Howser.One of my criticisms of Ann Bolch's executive summary of the GP workforce was that describes (emphasis added):At present this occupation has a high vacancy level, with 71 per cent of the vacant positions stemming from

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-4973221381435681392007-09-20T23:31:00.000+10:002007-09-23T20:57:07.013+10:00

Over the last few years, I have seen a steady increase in the number of websites that name and shame doctors. Perhaps that is a little unfair - they start out with the stated aim of rating doctors and allowing patients to find the good ones, but over time they are inevitably overwhelmed with criticism rather than commendation.The first ones I saw were in web forums and bulletin boards, asking

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-3803058771059343442007-09-14T23:47:00.000+10:002007-09-15T01:48:12.415+10:00

John Howard and Tony Abbott have come up with an amazing idea... perhaps we should start training nurses in hospitals?The Australian: Nursing to lead PM's fightback Dennis Shanahan and Patricia Karvelas | September 14, 2007... The new nursing schools will be modelled on the Government's 24 Australian Vocational Training Colleges, built by the commonwealth but run by community groups working with

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-1168966908897853512007-09-14T23:37:00.000+10:002007-09-14T00:15:35.114+10:00

I have recently discovered a very interesting web forum for Australian Medical Students, Potential Medical Students, and Doctors at http://pagingdr.proboards61.com/index.cgi.There is a thread at the moment entitled I hate EBM stemming from one student's frustration at the varied evidence base for the management of stroke and stroke risk.Perhaps I am just scraping the bottom of the barrel for

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-18502215334675612822007-09-12T21:43:00.000+10:002007-09-13T00:33:36.991+10:00

I hate bad reporting. Even worse, I hate the way that news.com.au uses bullet points that have little or no basis in the full article. Where does it say that patients are to be stamped with barcodes? The closest is this line:"In the US veterans' health system, basically every patient has a barcode on the normal hospital wristband as well as their name and date of birth," he said.For your

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-31351174066780273312007-09-04T06:23:00.000+10:002007-09-15T01:37:35.985+10:00

Does anybody remember the TV Show Doogie Howser, about the 16-year-old doctor? Well, Ann Bolch believes that Doogies are commonplace - after all, look at Balamurali Ambati, Sho Yano, and Akrit Jaswal.Nevertheless, there are very few, if any GPs aged 20-24 in Australia, and given the current trend towards postgraduate medical degrees, they will become fewer and fewer. That doesn't stop Ann quoting

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-27919585332085355242007-09-01T23:42:00.000+10:002007-09-02T00:13:03.193+10:00

I made the terrible mistake of watching House on television recently. I think that my brain is starting to turn to mush.Apart from the fact that he and his staff are somehow capable of performing and administering any and every test and procedure in the hospital, feel that they have the right to invade and inspect patients' homes at will, and have no qualms at talking patients into experimental

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-91805036715923961042007-08-30T06:38:00.000+10:002010-12-30T23:44:28.785+10:00

I recently came across a group of clinics called Heart Check. Clearly there is some controversy about how they operate. They advertise "free" (subject to bulk-billing conditions) heart checkups on TV and radio and encourage patients (or customers) to spread the word amongst their friends and relatives. They even advertise via Shop-a-dockets!My patients have been telling me about their visits to

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-22414889819054008952007-08-24T07:46:00.000+10:002007-08-24T02:11:38.853+10:00

Obviously things were more complicated that they have been portrayed, and there is not enough information in the public domain to understand what was happening.No doubt Craig Jurisevic was qualified to be an independent cardiothoracic surgeon. He had passed his exams and gained his fellowship. That does not automatically qualify him for accreditation to any particular private hospital.Clearly

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-36942825613536669422007-08-20T07:06:00.000+10:002007-09-13T00:34:47.321+10:00

Doctors fined for breaching trading laws from The Australian, July 5 2007.Doctors fined for breaching trading lawsJuly 05, 2007TWO leading Adelaide heart surgeons have been fined a total of $110,000 for trying to stop a third surgeon operating on private patients in South Australian hospitals.In a judgment handed down in the Federal Court today, John Knight and Iain Ross were each fined $55,000

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-28175875986716431132007-08-04T22:04:00.000+10:002007-08-04T22:11:28.752+10:00

NHS Blog Doc, Tea at Ten and The Psychiatrist Blog have all taken a break from blogging.They won't admit it, but I suspect they are all taking time off to read the new Harry Potter Book. I finished it last week and have spent the last few days catching up on the sleep I missed out on.You'll have to click through to the comments to get my impressions, just to avoid giving away spoilers.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-18734427948201698422007-08-02T00:37:00.000+10:002007-09-13T00:39:09.315+10:00

The news keeps flying in thick and fast.Haneef UpdateI don't want to sound like a Haneef apologist. He may well be guilty, but I have no way of knowing. Neither does the Australian Court system. But Kevin Andrews thinks that he does.Here is the ">advice from the Solicitor-General released by Kevin Andrews.Notice the questions he was asked to answer?I am asked to advise:(1) whether there was

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-52123954860247398342007-07-31T00:58:00.000+10:002007-07-31T00:58:58.755+10:00

Dr Haneef has finally been released after his singular charge of "recklessly" providing support to a terrorist organisation (i.e. his cousin) was dropped.But the controversy continues. Here are a number of issues that continue to perplex me.Natural InjusticeFrom this evening's PM (ABC Radio):CONOR DUFFY: On Saturday Kevin Andrews said Mohammed Haneef had no choice "but to return to India".KEVIN

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-7678279873179132222007-07-25T23:47:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:53:03.706+10:00

And now we return to normal programming. This is the last instalment of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider.7. Private HospitalsPrivate hospitals get some money from the Governments but on the whole these are relatively small amounts compared to Public hospitals. They make their money by charging their patients. If a patient has no

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-27479646586232511442007-07-22T13:32:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:53:54.557+10:00

It is unusual that I comment on anything outside medicine. But the treatment of Dr Haneef has been so abominable, and the actions of the Federal Government so despicable, that I feel I would be standing by allowing evil to occur if I were to keep quiet.I am no expert in terrorist activities, national intelligence, legal matters, or politics. I am not privy to any confidential or classified

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-24768540894430887082007-07-18T07:58:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:54:19.246+10:00

I had a haircut last week. It is one of those things that I keep procrastinating about and delaying. It's been a good two months, and I have had a mop of unmanageably long hair around my ears that I hoped my patients would ignore.In any case, I went to a new hairdresser, and it was only a matter of time before they asked what I did for a living. I knew it was coming, but my reaction is always the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-22669296728518362402007-07-14T23:18:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:55:13.582+10:00

Am I imagining, or did these journalists get the same brief? Nevertheless, a good piece from The Age.Carol Nader and Adam MortonJuly 14, 2007IT MIGHT be the lure of opportunity, or the promise of a better life. The chance to flee from a bleak existence. Or it might just be the pursuit of adventure. In Dr Julie Miller's case, it was the love of a good man. The day after her wedding six years ago,

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-40000599105412275532007-07-12T22:43:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:55:32.410+10:00

An excellent article from The Sydney Morning Herald.A bright, shining dilemmaJuly 7, 2007Australia has an acute shortage of doctors. Julie Robotham and Connie Levett reveal why we need to poach health professionals from around the world.Dr Joga Chaganti is a man with options. The highly regarded Indian radiologist has just taken over as head of Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital MRI and cranial

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-5725019569966051482007-07-06T23:54:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:55:54.158+10:00

The Glasgow car-ramming incident and the attempted car bombings in London have featured heavily in the news recently, even more so because the alleged perpetrators have been identified as doctors, and further links to doctors and health professionals in the UK and Australia are being pursued.These were deplorable acts, and serve no positive purpose.I am not really interested in commenting on

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-10855192086776711242007-06-14T22:00:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:56:29.035+10:00

This is Part 6 of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider.6. Public HospitalsPublic Hospitals have nothing to do with Medicare. They get their money from State and Territory Governments, charities, donations, and anywhere else they can make money (for example, raffles and lotteries). They then spend that money on treating as many

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-17354028219303428782007-06-10T21:55:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:56:55.290+10:00

All of a sudden everyone has gone private... It started with BB when she was outed, as was Dr Flea, but now Dr Dork and Tea at Ten have gone subscription only.Perhaps it is in bad taste, but medical bloggers seem to be dropping like... Fleas.Obviously there are times and authors who overstep their boundaries, but I think it is sad that they cause other bloggers to become so afraid of the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-75378623967512997172007-05-26T11:11:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:58:47.046+10:00

At the risk of turning my blog into a "Dear Abby" column for disaffected medicos, I am replying to Anonymous who writes:Dear Sheepish,A question for you: I asked my HMO3 today why he thinks women are more likely to develop a femoral hernia. He said that it is because the process of childbirth weakens the posterior wall of the femoral canal. I asked him to tell me an examination feature that would

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-46645175722820139982007-05-21T21:00:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:59:08.205+10:00

This is Part 5 of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider.5. GapCoverThis type of scheme, which goes by many names from insurer to insurer (such as GapCover, No-Gap, EzyClaim, "Just Ask", MediGap, etc. etc), basically involves an agreement between the doctor and the insurer to avoid the patient paying out-of-pocket expenses. In effect

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-78279068171020846352007-05-17T21:10:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:59:24.533+10:00

Milk & Two Sugars has tagged me with a blog meme. If you don't know, Wikipedia has lots to say about memes. I accept your tag, M&TS, so here are 8 (perhaps not-so) Random Things About Me.I am not a fan of social viruses, of which I consider blog memes to be one. I particularly despise those emails that you get with a soppy story about how someone's life was magically improved by reading a poem

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-28228792099288467182007-05-13T22:19:00.000+10:002007-07-25T23:59:43.397+10:00

Apologies to all for the recent lack of activity. I have recently uprooted the family and moved far, far away. Well, maybe just a time zone's difference.In any case, in the madness of packing and unpacking, I lost my ADSL modem/router and therefore have been Internet-less for the last two weeks.It's amazing what moving into an empty house, with no 21st-century conveniences can be like. While

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-6934355326388560402007-04-16T10:58:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:00:01.669+10:00

This is Part 4 of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider.4. Private Health Insurance CompaniesUnlike overseas insurance companies, Australian Private Health Insurance Companies do not usually set an anual dollar limit on benefits, or directly dictate medical care to their members like US Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).The

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-21443261985198729782007-04-11T23:04:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:00:30.927+10:00

Dr Michelle Tempest started a discussion on her blog about anonymity amongst medical bloggers, and I couldn't help but to post a lengthy diatribe.Thanks for the mention - my readership has suddenly increased about 20 fold (i.e. from 2 to 40 in the last day).There is always an altruistic purpose to anonymity - as a doctor I don't want to risk exposing or identifying my patients or colleagues, and

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-20814492165051407562007-04-08T22:56:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:04:27.817+10:00

Doctors told to reduce caesarean birthsThe New South Wales Health Department has issued a new directive aimed at trying to reduce the number of unnecessary caesarean deliveries in state public hospitals.The new policy says a request from a mother to have a caesarean section is no longer a justifiable reason for performing the procedure, if there is no medical reason.Dr Andrew Child from the

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-41502810756047961272007-04-06T10:23:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:05:00.171+10:00

Milk & Two Sugars writes in regards to underperforming medical students and interns:My opinion is this: that most people, when they fail to meet a certain expectation, are unaware that they're doing so. Unless we're told, we can't ever be expected to realise our shortcomings. So why - when an intern or student is lazy, ineffective, or otherwise failing to meet an important expectation - are

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-49389286115288199472007-04-02T23:27:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:05:19.725+10:00

Oh dear. It looks like Barb has been outed by a major print newspaper. I see little point in linking to the article, I am sure that Barb will have a copy soon if she hasn't already. In any case, she assures me that she will be back at work soon and can dish out as good as she gets.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-86225401886508045192007-04-02T07:34:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:05:45.382+10:00

This is Part 3 of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider. Dr Dork has prompted me to add an extra section to my series.3. Estimates of CostsDr Dork said:What disturbs me is when there is not financial disclosure prior to a procedure. I personally outline costs with every patient, and believe this is always necessary.As a patient, I've

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-36134579407340808202007-03-29T20:30:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:06:02.931+10:00

This is Part 2 of a series outlining the Australian Health Insurance industry from the perspective of a health provider.2. Gap FeesA doctor has the right to charge more than the CMBS fee if he or she feels that their service was worth more than this minimum amount. Ultimately, in our free market economy, doctors charge as whatever they feel is reasonable, and the Gap Fee is an artificial

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22338642.post-18790760292895130232007-03-21T13:15:00.000+10:002007-07-26T00:06:22.298+10:00

Wonderful news today! The photo explains all.

Sheepishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217493023930132326noreply@blogger.com2