Kidney disease on the rise among older Australians: AIHW report Chronic kidney disease is increasing in older people, with the proportion of Australians aged 65–74 with the disease three times higher than for those aged 55–64, a recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found.
How one website has made a difference to people experiencing chronic pain Dr Hester Wilson recalls her experiences in helping to develop the Pain Management Network website, a new tool for patients and healthcare professionals.
Pain and opioid use overloading health system: Report Pain and opioid use are major issues burdening the Australian healthcare system, latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research has revealed.
Australians are living longer, but becoming more overweight Fewer Australians are smoking or putting themselves at risk from long-term alcohol use, but an ageing population means the country is now experiencing higher rates of chronic and age-related conditions.
‘Urgent action’ required to stem Australia’s chronic disease burden: ACDPA Australia needs to improve its efforts in disease prevention in order to improve gaps in life expectancy between the ‘haves and have nots’, according to the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance.
When is the treatment worse than the disease? New research shows GPs can help patients avoid opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Dr Hester Wilson, Chair of the RACGP’s Specific Interests Addiction Medicine network, considers how.
New treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to be listed on the PBS Australians with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will soon be able to more easily access a new triple-combination inhaler designed to boost lung capacity and reduce attacks of breathlessness.
GPs can help patients manage chronic non-cancer pain – with fewer opioids Opioids are no longer a front-line treatment for chronic non-cancer pain.
Pharmacists’ codeine fears overstated, GP says While pharmacists have raised concerns about a shortage of low-dose codeine, Dr Evan Ackermann, a GP with a special interest in drugs of dependence, says the evidence supports up-scheduling.
Can we deliver high value care with one eye on the clock and the other on the screen? Given longer consultations are associated with better health outcomes, the Medicare Benefits Schedule should be restructured to incentivise appropriate consultation time in general practice, Dr Edwin Kruys writes for newsGP.