Adolescents 3.4 times more likely to self-harm than adults: AIHW Self-harm hospitalisations have surged 38% in four years, as general practice underfunding and psychiatric waitlists leave patients desperate for help.
Primary care at the heart of social prescribing national rollout The RACGP was part of a recent roundtable discussion aimed at broadening the landscape of social prescribing in Australia.
In Practice: Updates to allied health MBS items Referral changes to MBS items for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients accessing allied health services are now in place.
Study busts smoking population myths The first national profile of Australia’s 2.5 million smokers shows many are educated, employed and do not have poor mental health.
‘The tyranny of distance’: rural health inequities persist Health disparities between those living in urban and rural areas have been laid bare in the National Rural Health Alliance’s latest analysis.
Are casual references to psychological issues impacting clinical care? While the broad acceptance of mental health care has reduced stigma, researchers say emotions like sadness are being ‘pathologised, rather than normalised’.
Meta-analysis shows social interaction reduces dementia risk Strong social connections were associated with a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and death.
GPs driven by ‘fear’ likely under-billed $350m in 2021–22 New analysis suggests GPs under-bill in more than 10% of consultations, while another report finds no evidence for $8 billion Medicare fraud figure.
How social determinants of health apply to clinical practice The second key plenary session at GP22 looks at the determinants of population health and the value of social health tools.
When celebrities and influencers talk health: Part 2 Five doctors discuss the benefits and pitfalls of celebrity influence on health, including disclaimers, paid advertisements and remedies.