In the news February 2006
CIRCUMCISION POLICY UNDER FIRE
Professor Brian Morris, Molecular Medical Sciences
Source:Australian Doctor, 24 February 2006
An Australian medical college has been accused of inaccuracies and thinly veiled propaganda in its circumcision policy. Circumcision advocate Professor Brian Morris, of the University of Sydney's school of medical sciences, said the Royal Australian College of Physicians' policy was not evidence based and should be retracted.
INVESTIGATING THE SOURCE OF PAIN IN GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Natsuko Tokushige, PhD Student, University of Sydney
Source:Sydney Morning Herald, 23 February 2006
This PhD student is investigating the source of pain in gynaecological conditions in the hope it can be prevented. Tokushige, of the University of Sydney's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, says women with endometriosis suffer shocking pain.
LOGGING ON TO BETTER DOCTORS
Dr Chris Roberts, Office of Teaching and Learning in Medicine, University of Sydney
Source:Campus Review, 22 February 2006
The students watch a man having a heart attack on the computer screen. Then, in collaboration with each other, they assess, diagnose and identify treatment options. This is how medical students at the University of Sydney hone their skills through online problem-based learning that encourages them to apply what they have learnt to diagnose and treat medical problems.
BIRD FLU VACCINE INDEMNITY MOVE
Westmead Millennium Institute
Source:Adelaide Advertiser, 21 February 2006
The Federal Government has signalled that vaccine company CSL will be protected from legal action if new bird flu treatments have damaging side-effects. As Health Minister Tony Abbott handed more money to researchers to protect Australia from the flu threat, he promised that the Government would do everything possible to help CSL fast-track production of a human vaccine.
GOVERNMENT GIVES $65M TO FIGHT BIRD FLU PANDEMIC
Westmead Millennium Institute
Source:Maitland Mercury, 21 February 2006
Source:AAP Newswire, 20 February 2006
The Federal Government will provide an extra $6.5 million to projects aimed at preventing an outbreak of bird flu in Australia. Federal health minister Tony Abbott said 33 research projects that aim to prevent, detect or control avian influenza and other respiratory disease outbreaks will share the funding.
SWIMMING IN POOL OF ASTHMA
Woolcock Institute
Source:Hawkesbury Independent, 21 February 2006
Source:Fairfield City Champion, 15 February 2006
A Belgian study has found that children who swim in heavily chlorinated pools from a young age are at a significantly higher risk of developing asthma and chronic lung problems. Children under two are particularly susceptible because their lungs are still developing, the research suggests.
OPEN MINDS GOVERN TALK ON MENTAL ILLNESS LABELS
Governor Marie Bashir, former Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Sydney University
Source:Sun Herald, 12 February 2006
Internationally acclaimed author and psychologist Dorothy Rowe - whose Canberra appearance we noted last week - was at Berkelouw's bookshop in Leichhardt for a talk and book signing last week. The UK-based Rowe has been branded subversive by some medicos because she takes potshots at psychiatrists and espouses the sensible notion that mental illness can often be a convenient label rather than a medical condition. A distinguished-looking woman sitting unnoticed in the small gathering was taking copious notes. The woman later introduced herself: NSW Governor Marie Bashir, a former clinical professor of psychiatry at Sydney University. Rowe might ruffle the feathers of some traditional psychiatrists, but one of Australia's best is prepared to listen.
BOOSTER SHOTS
Professor Stewart Truswell, Human Nutrition
Source:Sunday Age, 12 February 2006
Source:Sun Herald, 12 February 2006
Natural vitamins and minerals are essential to keep our bodies ticking. But these days, it's fashionable to gobble pills to help us meet our vitamin requirements. According to Stewart Truswell, emeritus professor of the Sydney University human nutrition unit, most of the time there's no need to pop pills because we get vitamins through the food we eat. We require most vitamins in small amounts of about one milligram, the weight of one grain of raw sugar. Lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruit, vegetables and dairy or calcium enriched soy products usually provide all we need.
THE NEED TO INVEST GENEROUSLY AND WISELY IN MENTAL HEALTH
Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute
Source:Age, 11 February 2006
Given the stark statistics - and the human pain behind these numbers - there can be little doubt that improving mental health services must be a priority for Australian governments, both state and federal. In the past financial year, psychological problems accounted for almost 11 per cent of all cases managed by GPs throughout the country, one in 25 visits to hospital emergency departments was by a mental health patient, and 20 per cent of children lived with at least one parent who suffered from a metal illness.
$8M GP CLINICS TO EASE HOSPITAL STRAIN
Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute
Source:Daily Telegraph, 10 February 2006
An $8 million proposal for 41 new out-of-hour GP clinics in hospitals across NSW will be taken to the Council of Australia Governments annual meeting today. Premier Morris Lemma will offer his support for the Federal Government's dial-a-nurse national call centre plan in exchange for help in funding the clinics.
LEADERS CLOSE TO $1 BILLION HEALTH REFORM DEAL
Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute
Source:IIIawarra Mercury, 10 February 2006
Source:Cairns Post, 10 February 2006
Source:Geelong Advertiser, 10 February 2006
Source:Barrier Daily Truth, 10 February 2006
Source:AAP Newswire, 9 February 2006
State leaders and Prime Minister John Howard are poised to agree on a $1 billion national health reform package at today's Council of Australian Governments meeting. But Mr Howard has put the states on notice that he expects them to spend more on mental health, with a coordinated strategy on the agenda for the meeting.
FUNDS SOUGHT
University of Sydney School of Rural Health
Source:Forbes Advocate, 9 February 2006
The University of' Sydney's School of Rural Health has now applied for funding from the Federal Government to develop a GP training facility at Forbes Hospital after the partners in the project met in Forbes last month. The School of Rural Health. Federal Government's Central NSW Area Consultative Committee and Forbes Health Service met in mid January to discuss the proposal to convert the hospital's Maclean Ward into medical student accommodation.
MARRIED MEN STUDY
University of Sydney School of Biomedical Sciences
Source:Sydney Star Observer, 9 February 2006
The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sydney, is undertaking research with men who are currently or ever have been in a heterosexual relationship (either married or de facto) and who have sex with men. Information collected will remain confidential and be used for research purposes only; individuals will in no way be identifiable.
REALITIES OF A BROKEN HEART
Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute
Source:West Australian, 8 February 2006
All those stories of unrequited and star-crossed love, in which grieving people are left to die of a broken heart, have finally been given some scientific backing. A review of 40 years of medical research has shown that social isolation, lack of supportive friends and depression not only put people at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease, but these three factors do as much damage as smoking and having high cholesterol or blood pressure.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Department of Perinatal Medicine
Source:Practical Parenting, 1 February 2006
The survival rate for premature babies has never been better, according to a study conducted by the Department of Perinatal Medicine at the University of Sydney. The study of 1,214 profoundly pre-term babies those born between 22 and 28 weeks found that fewer than two per cent had died after leaving hospital.
RECOGNITION FOR SERVICE OF ALL KINDS
Emeritus Professor Charles Blackburn
Source:Wentworth Courier, 1 February 2006
Philanthropists and professors share the spotlight with community workers and health professionals in this year's Australia Day honours list. Three well-known people have been appointed as Companions (AC), one of the highest Order of Australia honours.
IDENTIFYING AND TRAINING EFFECTIVE CLINICAL TEACHERS
Eugen Molodysky, Clinical Associate Professor
Source:Australian Family Physician, 1 February 2006
Clinical teaching is a part of everyday life for doctors, yet doctors are rarely taught to teach. Relying on natural talent and intuition to impart knowledge to the next generation of doctors may not be sufficient. Formal training in clinical teaching may be desirable if a clinician wishes to be an effective clinical teacher.
CANCER SCREENING
Alexandra L Barratt, Associate Professor School of Public Health
Source: Australian Family Physician, 1 February 2006
To assess the value of screening, the downsides need to be weighed against the benefits. While there are randomised trials of breast and bowel cancer screening there are not randomised trials to show benefit from screening for lung, prostate, or ovarian cancer.