A bill has been introduced into the Senate that would restrict interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. Most of the submissions to a Senate committee inquiry into the proposals have come from industry. In the article below, Dr Ken Harvey, adjunct associate professor at La Trobe University, urges concerned members of the public and [...]
READ MOREA conversation that needs to continue: what to do about the relatively small number of doctors who account for so many patient complaints
The online ecosystem, linking up journals, bloggers, mainstream media and researchers with the wider world, is bringing new opportunities for researchers to hear and learn from the responses to their findings. The article below documents some of the wide-ranging responses to a recent study which found that a small proportion of doctors account for a [...]
READ MOREConsumer group calls for a “fundamental shift” in how pharmacy services are funded
Important questions about the governance of the multi-billion dollar agreement between the Federal Government and Pharmacy Guild of Australia (representing pharmacy owners) are raised in the article below. Carol Bennett, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, argues that the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement - a $15.4 billion investment by taxpayers over five years – fails to meet [...]
READ MOREWhat is the evidence on involuntary treatment for people with schizophrenia?
Are our policies and laws leading to treatment delays for people with schizophrenia? It seems so, suggests a review of the evidence around involuntary treatment orders, conducted by the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research and Schizophrenia Research Institute. *** Time for a rethink around involuntary treatment for people with schizophrenia Dr Anne-marie Boxall writes: [...]
READ MOREForget the blame game, let’s focus on making health dollars go further
Anthony Scott writes: The latest round of the health blame game is in full swing, with service cuts to Victorian hospitals, and neither the state nor federal government taking responsibility. Commonwealth and Victorian health ministers Tanya Plibersek and David Davis met in Canberra on Wednesday for more talks, but were unable to come to a [...]
READ MOREDiagnostic inaccuracy of smartphone applications for melanoma detection
Michelle Culhane-Hughes writes: Last week JAMA Dermatology published an interesting study into the accuracy of smart phone applications in diagnosing melanoma: Diagnostic Inaccuracy of Smartphone Applications for Melanoma Detection (Wolf et al 2013). Smart phones have amazing potential to improve access to healthcare and health information. The question arises with the results of this study [...]
READ MOREDo exclusionary private health insurance products need a re-think?
A recent paper published in the Australian Health Review raises some important policy issues for the future of private health insurance in Australia but has been largely overlooked by the media and in public debate. The paper is titled Reflections on the role of less-than-comprehensive (exclusionary) private health insurance hospital products in the Australian healthcare [...]
READ MOREAfter all the years of health reform effort and expense, what has been achieved?
An Australian academic was recently asked by an overseas colleague to nominate major health policy or system innovations that have had a positive impact on health care access, quality, outcomes, and/or costs in Australia. The academic, who wishes to remain anonymous, struggled to come up with any suggestions – and explains why below. The academic [...]
READ MOREPlain packaging for junk food? Health experts call for government intervention
Charis Palmer writes: Australia should consider a healthy food rebate, tax on sugary drinks, and regulated portion sizes argue health experts, as New York pushes ahead with government regulation to address the obesity epidemic. The New York City health commissioner behind a proposed cap on the container size of sugary soft drinks has argued government [...]
READ MORE
Wrapping yet more reaction to AHPRA’s plans for social media policy for health professionals
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) preliminary consultation paper on a social media policy for health professionals has been exciting a lot of concern (as reported at Croakey last week – see here and here). It also generated plenty of discussion at the recent Healthcare Communications and Social Media in Australia and New Zealand or #hcsmanz Twitter chat group. The [...]
READ MORE
