MBBS, BEng, DRANZCOG (Adv), AFRACMA, FRACGP, FARGP, Medical Editor, Australian Journal of General Practice; Rural Generalist Obstetrician, Queensland Health, Qld
It is well known that the stressors of medical work can lead to burnout, and general practitioners are not an exception.
This issue of AJGP examines breathing – how to measure it and how to preserve it, both while awake and while asleep.
As conditions become increasingly complex, and as both information and misinformation become more prevalent and accessible, the ‘good GP’ needs to be a great teacher and an excellent communicator.
Case studies allow authors to address clinical, psychological, social, medicolegal and professional topics pragmatically – as is the case with this text.
General practice represents the synergy between mechanistic and humanistic cognitive paradigms – promoting the best of science and technology, while placing the patient and their welfare centrally.
The differing cognitive frameworks and life experiences of GPs have brought varied approaches to problem solving and patient engagement into the profession.
Explicit, focussed, and repeated teaching of clinical reasoning and the systematic diagnostic approach is needed to promote timely, correct and complete diagnosis, and the reduction of mistakes.
Australians want to exercise more, but change can be challenging. Persistent, gentle, evidence-based support can help these resolutions become reality.
Every doctor has experienced heartsink with the realisation that the next patient encounter will be difficult. Engaging with heartsink issues is demanding and uncomfortable but necessary.
Children are our future. Supporting them with competent, compassionate and responsible care is a core value of general practice.
General practice stands at the forefront of injury prevention, initial management and follow-through.
Prescribing is addressed from differing perspectives. As GPs, we are more than what we prescribe. Our therapeutic relationship of trust is pivotal to our patient’s life story.
General practitioners contribute significantly to the palliative care of patients. Our knowledge, skills and compassion have an understated impact upon individuals at the close of their life.
Australian general practice has much in common with Paracelsus. Our connection to patient environment and lived experience are the foundation of both our insight and our impact.
Chronic pelvic pain can be challenging for practitioners but more especially patients. Understanding its nature and the range of available therapies can assist significantly.*
In this issue of the Journal, prescribing is addressed from differing perspectives.
In this issue, AJGP launches a longitudinal series on artificial intelligence.