GPs who have a special interest in treating back pain are more likely to recommend tests and treatments that are ineffective or possibly even harmful.
Primary healthcare
Why can’t this government make decisions on primary health?
The health networks across Australia which are funded by the Federal Government to deliver vital primary care services have no idea of their future at this critical time.
PSA tests: evidence — at last!
If doctors were paid by capitation (i.e. by the number of people they serve) or by salaries would there be so many PSA tests? Gavin Mooney writes.
Governments should prep for the next vaccine scare
Judging by the experiences in the UK and USA, we will be in for some major challenges if a vaccine scare gets traction in Australia, writes Julile Leask.
Maternity services report delivers a healthy set of recommendations
The Federal Government’s new report on maternity services could be just what the doctor ordered, write Lesley Barclay and Jenny Gamble.
Australia’s wasteful, unfair private health insurance rebate
Reports today that Treasury has repeatedly told the Rudd Government that the Private Health Insurance (PHI) rebate is inefficient is hardly surprising news, writes Dr Tim Woodruff.
Web doctoring: improving access to treatment
Therapy over the web, when supervised by an expert clinician, is surprisingly effective, writes Gavin Andrews.
New trial of physician assistants deserves support
Physician assistants are an option for many countries with numerous small isolated and underserved communities with poorer health outcomes, writes Dr Dennis Pashen.
Bateman plays his $500m card and scuttles Symbion merger
There was much drama at the extraordinary meeting of Symbion Health shareholders this morning when the mercurial Ed Bateman from Primary Healthcare sent his proxy along to tell the meeting he was going to use his 20% stake to scupper the merger with Heathscope. And that’s what he did, reports Stephen Mayne.
