Understanding the damage of stigma A lived experience ‘spokesperson’ is on a mission to break down the barriers preventing people from being open with healthcare providers about their drug use.
Telehealth helps overcome addiction stigma: Study Many patients feel more trust when speaking to GPs online, according to researchers now calling for doctors to diversify their consulting options.
Renewed push for alcohol warning labels Research suggesting fewer than one in two Australians know drinking can cause cancer has led to a call for more public awareness.
New tool could ‘change the trajectory’ of Indigenous heart consults Heart disease is the leading cause of preventable death for First Nations people, but there is hope a new GP resource could help address that.
Drug checking trial launches at injecting centre The RACGP welcomed the groundbreaking pilot, which enables users to test their substances while under medical supervision.
Australian state first to offer permanent pill testing Queensland will invest $1 million over two years to establish free, confidential and ongoing illicit drug testing services.
Deaths and overdoses prompt coroner pill testing call Two Victorian coroners have said the service could provide ‘lifesaving insights’ and tailored information to illicit drug users.
Drug survey backs RACGP’s calls for harm reduction The college’s Addiction Medicine Chair believes the results should be used as leverage to better support GPs providing care in this area.
Pill testing calls follow multiple overdoses at Melbourne festival The Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine has said such a move would be ‘a no-brainer’.
‘Succinct’ guidance on preventing infant allergy Excluding potentially allergenic foods during pregnancy or from infants’ diets does ‘more harm than good’, experts say.