Why we can ’ t believe our eyes A day in the
MO alternative world of alternative medicine
Back in the ’ 70s , iridologists were trying to get their practice covered by Medicare .
While I was working at a Sydney hospital , we were given an iridologist ’ s very impressive-looking camera and asked to photograph patients with known medical conditions .
The iridologist would then make diagnoses without seeing the patients .
The only conditions they picked up were those we were taught to recognise in medical school , like hypercholesterolaemia .
This practitioner diagnosed one dialysis patient with a fractured leg .
Dr Peter Jacobs GP , Sunshine Coast , Qld
‘ Holistic ’ has become yet another casualty of word creep , used strategically to gain traction in the battle to gain some healthcare credibility .
We know what it means , as Dr Sue Ieraci says in her article , a term to describe generalism in its truest sense .
Yet it has been conscripted by the alternative practitioners , with their claims of having special , somewhat mystical , powers to make people better .
‘ Complementary medicine ’ is another term implying some capacity to enhance the benefits of science-based and evidence-based medicine .
Most of the time , it is rubbish , and we should all refuse to use the word in that context .
Dr Simon Birchley GP , Innisfail , Qld
‘ In what world is this acceptable ?’ MDO warns doctors to
Dr
‘ carefully consider ’ statements on Israel – Gaza war
What times are these when medical professionals are being told not to speak out about war atrocities for fear of causing offence ?
In what world is the wholesale bombing of hospitals and civilian targets acceptable ?
Calling for a ceasefire is a reasonable response to a completely unreasonable slaughter of thousands of people — almost half of them children .
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If people are offended by this view , then I don ’ t care and will happily defend any AHPRA complaint .
I am disgusted that any medical defence organisation would suggest we restrain ourselves during such a disaster .
Dr Fiona Bisshop GP , Brisbane , Qld
A GP in the hand is worth two in the bush Dr Graham Rowlands
Dr and the bizarre attempt to ditch him for a super clinic dream
There is a lovely consult room on the east coast of Tasmania for you , Dr Rowlands ! I hope sense is seen . I feel very sad for your troubles , frustrations and betrayal .
Dr Elizabeth Grey GP , Bicheno , Tas
Dr Rowlands was one of the first medical students to benefit from the 1987 ministerial report on the recruitment and retention of country doctors in WA .
The ideas included changes to the selection of medical students to accommodate rural and matureaged students .
Graham was a policeman in the Pilbara before deciding to become a doctor , and much of his training occurred in Kalgoorlie .
He is now an iconic outback doctor who knows and loves his community , speaks their language and is always available .
Furthermore , he can do lots of procedural medical tasks .
He has taken medical students into his home for two decades and
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has given them an outback medical education for which they are thankful , as well as stories they can dine out on for many years .
I have been aware of his situation and marvelled at the shire council ’ s naivety : its motive was to save money .
But surely it must know the proverbs a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and that , if you do not appreciate what you have , time will make you appreciate what you had .
It looks like Dr Rowlands will be staying with his community .
In addition to being a rural warrior , he must also be a philosopher — a believer in the mock-Latin motto illegitimi non carborundum .
Emeritus Professor Max Kamien GP , Perth , WA
Learning from our dark history ‘ Shameful departure
MO from medical ethics ’: The dark practice of covert contraception in Australia
I hear what the author is saying , and it raises the question of how I will be judged in the future .
Sadly , some things have not changed much for the vulnerable . I was once asked to insert an Implanon into an 11-year-old child . It was by a relative rather than the state .
But the response from the paediatric gynaecologist I consulted made me realise it is not a rare event .
Despite completing mandatory reporting requirements every time such requests are made , nothing ever seems to happen to protect the child .
Dr Elena Ghergori GP , Perth , WA
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The reality is that governments will always find compliant doctors to enact and administer poor health policy . It is a recurrent trait in history . Look to the COVID-19 pandemic , when multiple poor health interventions were implemented : school closures , closing playgrounds , wearing masks in cars .
So why is it that an intelligent profession — which prides itself on individual thinking — can be so easily led ?
Dr Evan Ackermann GP , Gold Coast , Qld
Thank you for sharing your story , Professor Kamien .
Shame on our collective ignorance , and I hope we will learn from this history and teach our future doctors to always question and develop a backbone of ethical fortitude .
Dr Nancy Watson Geriatric medicine , Melbourne ,
Vic
The solution ? Pay more per patient Is the government ’ s
Dr new $ 300 aged care incentive a fair deal for GPs ?
This will do nothing to attract GPs to provide services in residential aged care facilities and help keep patients out of hospital .
The real solution is either to increase rebates for services or apply a much higher per-patient payment reflecting the on-call nature of caring for residents .
I do not think $ 1000 per patient would be excessive .
GP services to residents are far cheaper than extended care
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paramedic visits or hospital ED assessments .
Dr Francesco Maldari GP , Adelaide , SA
Your activism helps , not harms ‘ I declare all my criminal
Dr history updates to AHPRA ’: GP after her 12th arrest
How I wish I were young and idealistic like Dr Lisa Searle .
I have been trying to influence the medical profession to change their perceptions for years . But every time I write , I feel as if I am reading the Holy Book in front of a buffalo .
Yes , I wish I had your energy , strength and enthusiasm . But I am sure there are other ways of fighting for a just cause without disrupting society .
The way to do it is to expose the truth and let each individual ’ s intelligence prevail .
Dr Mal Mohanlal GP , Redcliffe Peninsula , Qld
Great work , Dr Searle . We need more people like you standing up for our planet .
I am glad AHPRA seems unconcerned about this because environmental activism helps , not harms .
Dr Katharine Moffatt GP , Melbourne , Vic
Telehealth fails to make a connection I hate telehealth :
MO
Sometimes it feels like I am being sucked into my computer
Having retired after 40-plus years of practice , I was so horrified to read the opinion of an academic that 80 % of a GP ’ s work could be done over the phone .
If you want to be valued , you have to practise like the professional you have trained to be .
Dr Margaret Hardy GP , Sydney , NSW
Communication is estimated to be at least 80 % non-verbal .
This is completely lost on the phone and significantly lost on video .
Only those with no concept of , or experience with , such human interaction — for instance , public health bureaucrats and academics in ivory towers — could push this idea .
Dr Joe Kosterich GP , Perth , WA
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