Skin cancer visits to the GP grow
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. According to Cancer Council NSW, about two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. GPs play a critical role in skin cancer treatment - diagnosing and...
Do vaccine ‘champions’ influence their peers?
In times of emergency, like during a pandemic, getting accurate information and making informed decisions is crucial. But how do people learn about vaccines and share their experiences with others? A recent study conducted in Australia investigated how adults who were...
Treatment choice and survival in men with low-risk prostate cancers
The treatment options which balance harm against good with men diagnosed with prostate cancer after prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening continue to be a huge debate. Now a major new study from the UK sheds light on the different paths available to men. In the...
Can artificial intelligence predict complications after surgery
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been in the headlines over recent months but its impact on healthcare is already being felt – with some studies finding impressive results for AI programs trained to spot skin cancer, diagnose brain tumours mid-operation, and interpret...
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are surging in the community Doctors are urging people to get immunised against the flu, especially the vulnerable and pregnant mothers, amid growing concerns that vaccination rates have plummeted, and with the start of...
What the recent Budget means for general practice
There are currently many challenges running a general practice - rising costs, reduced income, staff shortages, managing COVID, the list goes on. The Health Budget has been welcomed for its increased bulk billing incentives but there’s been far less discussion about...
Does the Mediterranean diet reduce the risk of heart disease in women?
There’s been a lot of evidence showing positive health outcomes for those who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern, which is typically rich in vegetables, wholegrains, legumes and olive oil, low in processed foods and red meat and has a cuisine which cooks at...
How to help teens quit vaping
The Minister for Health, Mark Butler recently announced severe restrictions on access, formulation and packaging of vaping products which limit their use to assist smoking cessation with a doctor’s prescription. But that still leaves an unknown number of young...
Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments
An additional 160,000 Australians are now able to access subsidised COVID-19 antiviral treatments after the federal government expanded eligibility criteria under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). There are two oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines approved for...
50% of people with suicidal thoughts don’t tell anyone
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics more than eight Australians die every day by suicide and 75% of those who take their own life are male. That’s more than double the road toll. When someone says they are thinking about suicide, it's a key...
What’s in the recently released Australian Long COVID inquiry report?
A parliamentary inquiry into Long COVID and repeat COVID infections has recently handed down its final report. The recommendations included: Establishing a better COVID and Long COVID data collection system Reviewing antiviral eligibility Providing more support and...
Could music be the key to unlocking memories?
What was your favourite song growing up? What was the tune you danced to on your wedding day? Does a familiar melody bring you back to when you first heard it played? A recent study has found that when prompted, people from different age groups recall more personal...
