Columns / Diary of a Surgeon


Doctors on the market?

Marketing of products is something all surgeons must live with on a daily basis. Representatives visiting and discussing new products is appropriate. Free giveaways are not, writes Professor Guy Maddern.

What are safe working hours? It’s not so clear cut

Twenty-five years ago, 36 or even 48 hour shifts for junior doctors were commonplace, writes Professor Guy Maddern.

What Australia could learn from the US health system

It’s now 40 years since America introduced a landmark health reform that improved access for many disadvantaged groups, and it is only now starting to gain traction in Australia, writes Guy Maddern.

When will governments learn — hospitals are not factories

St Anywhere was bemused to hear this week of the Rudd Government’s plan to run it more efficiently with increased Commonwealth involvement, writes Guy Maddern.

The under-valued heroes of the health system

The Federal Government has recently approved and almost doubling of medical student numbers without much planning how they would gain the necessary clinical experience, and the so-called tsunami of students is now washing over the system.

This is not a spectator sport

Live surgery must not become reality TV for professional meetings, writes Guy Maddern.

How to run a hospital — by the textbook

The turnover of senior managers in the public hospital system is remarkable, writes Guy Maddern professor of surgery at the University of Adelaide.

Age will weary and the years condemn

In Australia now there is no retirement age for surgeons. Government is encouraging us to work longer, but as the clock ticks on, ageing reduces many of the faculties enjoyed by younger colleagues, writes Guy Maddern.

Welcome to St Anywhere

St Anywhere is fictitious, but the events and issues are real. Guy Maddern reports from the emergency room.