Book Review - The Patient Doctor
The Patient Doctor
Dr Ben Bravery
Hachette Australia 332pp
Book Review by Robin Osborne
At the time of publishing the author of this wonderful memoir of medicine from both sides of the treatment fence – hence the cleverly apt title – was in his final stages of psychiatric training, having completed hospital rotations in the usual fields, including surgery, emergency care, oncology and geriatrics.
As he explains, ‘When it came to taking medical histories from patients, I was always most interested in what we call the ‘social history’. This is the part that allows us to learn more about the patient as a person.
- Details
- Written by: Robin Osborne
Flood Docs for Future Docs
This is a shout out from the University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH) to all the incredible general practices on the North Coast that have supported the placement of medical students over the years and have continued to do so where possible through pandemic and floods.
Having a well-trained and adequate medical workforce in the future is clearly vital and your contribution is remarkable.
We hope that the students have added positively to your work experience and provided assistance in some clinical areas. This is what is overwhelmingly reported back to us by the practices.
We know that your surgeries are probably approached by many universities and students and it is obviously your choice as to who you host.
- Details
- Written by: Dr Christine Ahern
What happens in residential aged care – and what do residents think?
Following years of criticism about the state of the Australian residential aged care system, including a Royal Commission, the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare has released the results of the latest National Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program), expanded since July 2021 to include the categories of pressure injuries, physical restraint, and unplanned weight loss.
The fourth quarterly report (April-June 2022) of the GEN Aged Care Data shows that -
- Pressure Injuries in residential aged care affected 6.3% of residents
- Physical Restraint was used for 21.5% of care recipients
- Significant Unplanned Weight Loss was observed in 9.4% of residents
- Falls (32.2% of residents) and falls that resulted in major injury (2.2%)
- Details
Read more: What happens in residential aged care – and what do residents think?
Dementia becomes Australia’s second leading killer
Dementia has become the second leading cause of death in Australia, according to the latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), which has recorded a total of 14,464 deaths attributable to the disease in 2020, up from 9200 in the 2010 year.
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
- Details
Read more: Dementia becomes Australia’s second leading killer
Andrew Binns - a life in service
Andrew Frederick Binns was born and raised in Adelaide. He is the youngest of four children to Margaret Dickson and psychiatrist Dr Raymond Binns.
He attended Prince Alfred College, a boy’s school in Adelaide. Even as a teenager, he was a mover and shaker, and argued for ballet to be introduced as a school sport. In this he was successful and his sister staged the choreography. The star of the show John Tilbrook went on to prominence in that other “aerial ballet”, first with Sturt in the SANFL before transferring to the Daemons in the VFL in 1971.
Andrew received a BSc at the University of Adelaide before completing his medical degree at the University of NSW. His early post graduate years were spent at Royal Adelaide hospital and Adelaide Children's Hospital. In 1976 together with his new wife, Jeni, he took the dangerous but fascinating overland route to the UK via Nepal, Afghanistan and the Middle East. It was a cultural experience in both a social and gastroenterological sense.
In England he was a senior house officer in anaesthetics and obstetrics at Upton Hospital, Slough and City Hospital, Nottingham obtaining his diploma in both these fields. He returned to Australia in 1979 settling on the Northern Rivers.
- Details
- Written by: David Guest
Page 4 of 169
