Facing up to Australia’s Big Problem: Australian Medicine
In the latest issue of Australian Medicine, Dr Richard Kidd, Chair of the AMA Council of General Practice, writes about the growing obesity challenge in Australia and the vital role of GPs in educating and influencing their patients about necessary lifestyle changes.
In his article, Dr Kidd refers to a piece in The Conversation that suggested that health professionals lack the confidence to engage with patients about their weight. Dr Kidd writes that the evidence cited for this conclusion actually reinforces the fact that the information and advice provided by GPs is powerful to patients and can in fact be integral in convincing a patient to change. He adds that GPs know their patients intimately, and can use this knowledge to engage in sensitive and diplomatic discussions that seek realistic and achievable change.
Other articles relevant to general practice in this week’s issue of Australian Medicine include:
- Unjustified attacks on primary care must end;
- Ley refuses to set rebate freeze end date;
- Secure messaging - a real e-health payoff;
- Chair of the AMA Council of Rural Doctors compiles a to-do list for the yet to be announced Rural Health Commissioner;
- 11 new tumour specific Optimal Cancer Care Pathways (OCP) have been endorsed as guides for specialists, GPs, and others; and
- Science delivers another jab at anti-vaxxers
