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.
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.
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.
Supporting GP practice ownership Dr Sean Stevens, Chair of the RACGP’s Business of General Practice Specific Interests network, talks to newsGP about the current state of practice ownership, and offers support to aspiring GP–owners.
GPs vital in ongoing response to Australia’s natural disasters: RACGP President General practices in Victoria’s south-west, NSW’s south coast and Australia’s top end must be prepared to provide essential healthcare services following major natural disasters in recent days, RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel has told newsGP.
When disaster strikes: Involving GPs in disaster management planning GPs often play a limited role in healthcare planning processes for natural disasters, but Dr Penny Burns hopes her research will contribute to efforts to increase their voice.
Modifying cancer risk through diet Diet represents an increasingly significant risk factor for a variety of cancers, but it is a risk that patients can modify with help from their GPs.
One of the many faces of codeine addiction Jessica Khachan lives in Sydney with her husband and two kids, who are 14 and 12, in what she describes as ‘a normal suburban household’. She is also one of the increasing number of Australians with a history of codeine addiction.
RACGP President wants states to consider patient safety in codeine up-scheduling RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel has called on Australian health ministers to consider patients before making any decisions that will soften codeine regulations.
RACGP 12-point opioid challenge With the issue of pain management becoming increasingly prevalent in Australian healthcare, GPs are often at the forefront of dealing with patients experiencing chronic non-cancer pain. However, the role of opioids in treating these patients has raised increasing concerns about safety. ‘For many people, good pain management can transform their quality of life,’ RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said. ‘Unfortunately, what we have been seeing is an exploitation of painkilling medications.’