The mass humanity clinic

Every four minutes a new person comes over and sits down in the chair across from me. I ask them some pertinent details about themselves and we make a little small talk. I write their name on a card and then they leave, bound for the next chair. No, it’s not speed dating. The trigger … Continue reading →

There’s no place like home

True story: In my younger days I performed in TWO separate school productions of the Wizard of Oz. I have twice stepped into my ruby slippers for costume parties and I have owned the book in both English and French. It’s fair to say I have quite an affinity for Miss Dorothy Gale. Like Dorothy, … Continue reading →

The life saving heroes of medicine

I saved a life today! Although… I don’t know who it was or how I did it. Maybe it was the routine pap smear that will come back as a high-grade precancerous lesion and be surgically removed before it turns nasty. Maybe it was the pertussis vaccination I gave to a pregnant patient that will … Continue reading →

We GPDU’d. Did you?

GPs Down Under, as an entity, is kind of a hard thing to describe. In it’s most basic form it’s a Facebook group of over five thousand Aussie and Kiwi GPs. Depending on the day, and who you talk to, it’s also a national park, a family, a support group, an educational resource, an advocacy … Continue reading →

All that “GP stuff” in the Emergency Department

“We are just FULL of GP stuff today. We’re pretty much just running a GP clinic” you say, with a big sigh and roll of the eyes. You’re an emergency nurse or maybe a doctor. You’re frustrated because you are working your butt off, haven’t had a lunch break or time for a wee and still people … Continue reading →

A Delightful Encounter between the Arts and Medicine

Although firmly grounded in science, there is no doubt that the day-to-day practice of medicine involves a fair amount of art. However, in the somewhat sterile world of the doctor’s consulting room, it is rare privilege to encounter “the arts” of the more creative, rather than clinical kind. I encountered such a moment this morning while conducting a … Continue reading →

Limiting Scope of Practice in GP: A Philosophical Dilemma

Most GPs I know pride themselves on being true generalists, and have gravitated towards this area of medicine because they enjoy the challenge and variety that comes with the territory. They also tend to value holistic, patient-centered care and the satisfaction that comes with long term doctor-patient relationships.   Inevitalby, though, each GP has strengths and … Continue reading →

Dr Penny Wilson vs. Casey Parker on PCOS

Thanks again to Casey Parker for hosting me on the Broome Docs podcast! Great fun, as always…

World Family Doctor Day

Today, May 19th, is World Family Doctor Day. This is the day when we general practitioners / family physicians / primary care doctors get to sit back, crack out the party poppers and pat ourselves on the back for the good work we do for our patients and communities. Here in Australia, we instinctively know … Continue reading →

What Should We Teach Trainees?

I’m in the very privileged position of having a small amount of influence in the delivery of general practice training in my part of the world. I’ve been involved in a number of thought-provoking discussions recently about what is essential education for trainees on their pathway to independent practice. I’m interested to find out from other recent graduates … Continue reading →