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The article discusses the medical mission and business of Dr. Jenny Smiley in New South Wales. Smiley is recognized as one of the most effective general practitioner (GP) and award-winning businesswoman in the country. Her achievements include as recipients of the National Telstra Business Women's Awards, and Zaffyre International Private and Corporate Sector Award. She is appreciated for the establishment of the Illawarra Family Medical Center to offer effective medical services to the country.

The article features the highland region of Vietnam. The country is considered as the home of five million ethnic minority people which have beautiful sceneries and landscapes. Sapa's Mountain View Hotel offers the minority particularly eh Black H'mong girls with the chance to deal with the tourists and travelers.

The article presents the views of several physicians concerning patient referrals to specialists. According to Ruth Stewart, she gives fewer references as compared to her urban counterparts because her patients are reluctant to travel long distances. Les Bolitho suggests inclusion of a general practitioner's (GP) expectation concerning health assessment by the specialist in referral letters.

The article provides information on the importance of recall system on the practice of physicians. According to medico-legal claims manager doctor Sara Bird, the legal burden is on doctors to review all test results and recall patients as required. Medical defence organisations also agree that recall systems are a key factor of medico-legal risk for general practitioners (GP).

The article reports that Zoledronic acid should be listed as Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat patients with osteoporosis and with pre-existing fractures. A study shows that annual infusion of the bisphosphonate in elderly patients with hip fractures is associated with fewer clinical fractures and improved survival. In addition, the annual infusion overcomes poor compliance and is also suitable for people who could not tolerate the oral treatment.

The article reports on the advocacy of health experts to educate general practitioners about the cautions in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in pre-pubescent children in the U.S. The study found out that the population of young people who have the disease have increased a lot since 1994 due to unclear causes. According to professor Louise Newman of the University of Newcastle, bipolar diagnoses have also scattered in Australia.

The article reports on the increased of claims against the compensation of non-procedural general practitioners (GP) in Australia. It is stated that the claims have increased by 52 percent in the past 10 years because of the increase in missed and delayed diagnosis claims, particularly cancer. Information about the study conducted by the Insurance Statistics Australia is elaborated.

The article reports on the dispute between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Novartis AG over the recall of the drug Prexige in Australia. TGA recollected the drug due to its serious adverse reactions on the liver of patients taking the 200 or 400 milligram (mg) dose. TGA also attacked Novartis, the drug's manufacturer, over fighting to keep the 200 mg dose on the market. Furthermore, the dispute has left general practitioners (GPs) furious for putting their patients at risk.

The article presents a survey which estimates the increasing number of general practitioners (GP) who are working for private medical center operators in Australia. It has been stated GPs are working with Symbion, Independent Practitioner Network and Primary. In addition, industry experts claim that GP are opting for companies as a way of avoiding the responsibilities of owning a practice.

The article reports that the Australian Medical Association (AMA) introduced the Medicare Easyclaim electronic claiming system for medical practices without any extra payment in Australia. The implementation of the said system will be on July 1, 2007. The point-of-service claiming methodology is described as the main benefit of the said system. It reveals that the Easyclaim system helps improved the medical policy of the country.

The article discusses the medical innovation of computers. Accordingly, computers have revolutionized every area of medicine, including general practice, from mapping the human genome to creating digital radiology images. Computers are already as indispensable to most general practitioners as stethoscopes or blood pressure monitors.

The article reports on the frustration felt by local general practitioner (GP) Gregory Keogh due to the delay in the treatment of patients in the horrific Kerang rail disaster in Australia. Dr. Keogh, who has practiced in Kerang for about 15 years, questioned why local GPs were not asked to attend the scene of the crash. However, a spokesman for the Victorian Department of Human Services stated that there were two local doctors on the site and everything was adequate and worked very well.

The article reports on the opposition of Australian health leaders to the proposed cost-recovery plan of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). PBAC member Mark Yates stated that he expect that the public would lose faith on the independence of PBAC if the aspect of the proposed plan is under their protection. Australian Medical Association president Mukesh Haikerwal asserted that the $11 million savings from the recovery is a small price for the independence of the group.

The article focuses on issues related to the supervision of prevocational doctors in general practice in the wake of the death of a teenage girl due to negligence of two inexperienced doctors. In late 2004, Emma Robson died in Albany, Western Australia after a qualified general practitioner and tow junior physicians failed to diagnose the autoimmune condition. Afterwards, Western Australia coroner called for improvements to the supervision of prevocational physicians in general practice.

The article reports on the budget provided by the government of Australia to general practitioners to cut the risk of patients who are developing diabetes. The budget is also aimed at improving after-hours care and increasing aged care visits. According to general practitioners leaders, the move still falls short of fixing the ills that afflict the country's health system.

The article reports on the move of the complainant lawyers to use its "fishing for information," the medical board process which could support civil suits against doctors in Australia. Attorney Ian Freckelton, former member of the medical Practitioners Board of Victoria, elaborate that plaintiff lawyer could obtain through its medical process. Moreover, Dr. Andrew Pesce, AMA indemnity spokesman, that the practice could discourage doctors in medical board investigations.

The article reports on the possible risk on general practitioners as the Victorian Government is enforcing rules that would penalize them if they do not report patients they suspect of intentionally infecting others with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The move was made after an HIV-positive man was detained in Southern Australia and being accused of recklessly infecting other men.

The article focuses on the issue of eye examinations of high school students in Australia every two years. According to experts, the marketing campaign by optometrists urging high school students to have their eyes tested every two years has no clinical basis. Ophthalmologists also questioned the appropriateness of using Medicare funds for the screening tests. James Elder, director at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, said that regular two-yearly testing is unnecessary.

The article describes the author's experience of visiting the highland towns of Guatemala and of observing the way of living of the Mayan people. Every Thursdays and Sundays, the town of Chichicastenango becomes home to one of the huge indigenous markets in the country. Women wear huipils and traditional embroidered blouses, and walk towards the town center with their babies. Outside the 450 year-old Santo Tomas church is where lilies, roses and daisies bloom.

The article reports on the impact of the new Medicare benefits schedule (MBS) items towards general practitioners (GP) in Australia. It is accounted that the new mental health rebates could sabotage the role of GP in their role as gatekeepers of the medical system. Under the new MBS items, GP must accomplish a full mental health management plan before referring patients for clinical psychology. It was implemented due to accusations that GP were writing two-line referrals to seek rebate.

The article reports on the implications of the national assessment process for international medical graduates (IMG) in Australia. It states that IMG need to pass the Australian Medical Council exam before gaining registration for practice in the country. According to Ron Crause, president of the Australian Association of Medical Recruitment Agents, he welcomed the aim of the process but asked for a transition period to permit details of the scheme's implementation to be settled.

The article presents a Tasmanian Government report emphasizing the need for more support and education for general practitioners (GP) in managing opioid-addicted patients. The report agreed that more GP education would be beneficial in managing threatening patients. Alex Wodak, director of alcohol and drug services at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, said that the demand for black market methadone is highest when opioid addicts lack access to pharmacological treatments.

The article reports on the development of peer-support program by the AMA Victoria. It stated that doctors facing issues in their personal or professional lives can discuss their problems with other doctors via phone service. The program acts as a first port of call for doctors in distress due to problems such as substance abuse, financial strain, and relationship difficulties. According to AMA Victoria vice-president Bob Conyers, the service was available to all doctors in Victoria.

The article reports on the suspension off a general practitioner after he introduced a patient to an investment scheme in which his son had an interest in Brisbane, Queensland. The Queensland Health Practitioners Tribunal heard that Dr. Alan Hadley exploited his professional relationship with a patient by introducing her to the scheme. Hadley also prescribed Schedule eight drugs to the woman, despite being aware of her history of overuse of drugs.

The article reports on the call of Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) Refugee health experts for the attention of the Federal Government in Australia. The call urges the government to offer all asylum seekers with access to Medicare since the present regulations are described as harmful and self-defeating. Ignacio Correa-Velez, deputy director of the Refugee Health Research Centres said that most of the asylum seekers had no access to Medicare and had difficulty paying for their health care.

The article reports on the possibility for Symbion medical centres to face changes in management process or amalgamation with Primary clinics in Australia. This change is related to the Primary's plan for the future of the merged group and intention to expand services and add extra general practitioners (GPs) in some Symbion clinics. In addition, some Symbion clinics could be amalgamated with Primary clinics where there was geographic overlap.

The article reports on the findings of a randomised trial concerning the students who spend much time at the uni bar in Australia. Research found that 61% were drinking at hazardous levels. Meanwhile, the at-risk students randomised to complete a single Web-based intervention reported significantly less alcohol consumption and fewer academic problems at six and 13-month follow-up. Moreover, the research came as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a national to address bringe drinking.

The article presents the impact of unprecedented delays in visa processing to international medical graduates in Australia. According to general practitioner (GP) recruiters, such delay in processing place an additional pressure on an already strained workforce. Chris Mitchell, chief executive officer (CEO) of Health Workforce Queensland, stressed that it takes about 14 to 18 weeks to process at the Department of Immigration's Brisbane office.

The article reports on the research on alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal community in Australia which led to an increased use of marijuana. It is said that the six-year observational study found that the intervention made alcohol even more difficult to access which makes marijuana a more convenient drug. It is also discussed that marijuana was previously smoked mainly by young people but was now being used by entire families and was associated with domestic violence and family neglect.

The article reports that physicians have been reassured that they can allow their patients' medical records to be examined for accreditation in Australia. Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis said health information could be disclosed without patients' consent. Relevant health information can be disclosed if it were to be used for bulling purposes. The Privacy Act also allows doctors to disclose health information to relatives if a patient is incapacitated in some circumstances.

The article reports on the proposed law which aims to protect whistleblowers who reported their colleagues to have engaged in medical misconduct in New South Wales. The proposal comes after the case of former obstetrician Graeme Reeves who is alleged to have mutilated several women while on duty. The new rules would make it mandatory for physicians to report colleagues who they believed had engaged in such practices.

The article reports on the guidelines released by Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis which allows patients to have access to their medical records in Australia. Curtis said that patients had the right to access their health records, but there were exceptions, such as if access would pose a serious threat to life. She adds that the doctors also has the authority to deny such access if the request is not serious or if access would affect another person's privacy.

The article reports on the decision of the Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria to impose a four month suspension and a $15,000 fine against Chinese medicine practitioner Jirong Zhang. The decision followed after the Board found that Zhang engaged in unprofessional conduct and allowed unqualified staff to remove acupuncture needles from patients. The Board also ordered Zhang to take a course on professional ethics and the side effects of Chinese herbs.

The article reports that Australian generap practitioners (GPs) are more likely to face regulatory to disciplinary action than civil litigation. Speaking at the 17th annual Medico Legal Congress in Sydney on February 2008, Avant clinical risk management general manager Dr. Paul Nisselle assured GPs that the risk of them being sued is small. He also advised GPs to balance appropriate risk management and inappropriate defensive practice.

The article reports that Australian health professionals support the pilot on open disclosure of adverse medical events. Health professionals involved in the pilot evaluation, which includes 42 hospital sites across the country, were noted to like the idea of open communication as it allows them to openly discussed incidents. Moreover, the pilot's steering committee chair DR. John Wakefield reported that all medical defence organizations have committed to open disclosure.

The article features two online health information portals that Australian patients can use to upload test results and record information about their health history. The resources are miVitals Technology' miVitals and Microsoft Corp.'s Health Vault. Both online health records were designed to encourage people to be proactive in their healthcare.

The article reports that over-cautious pharmaceutical labels on topical corticosteroid application are reinforcing patient's irrational fear of steroids. Australasian College of Dermatologists secretary Dr. Stephen Shumack said that labels advising patients to apply topical corticosteroid 'thinly' or 'sparingly' carries messages of economy and caution. With this, he suggests labeling to include a fingertip unit guide to indicate how many fingertip of product a patient needed to apply.

The article reports on the meeting of rural health organizations and Australian Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to discuss solutions to the rural workforce crisis. Roxon said that her department's audit of rural health workforce shortages was due to be completed by the end of February 2008. According to Peter Rischbieth, president of meeting organizer RDAA, when one part of the health care team was missing it put pressure on the remainder.

The article reports that alendronate Fosamax patients seek legal representation, asserting they were inadequately warned about the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to James Higgins, principal lawyer for class actions at law firm Slate & Gordon, they are assessing several cases to determine whether a class action was warranted. Fosamax manufacturer Merck Sharp & Dohme asserted that most cases of ONJ had occurred in cancer patients treated with IV bisphosphonates.

The article reports that the run-off cover scheme (ROCS) levy in Australia is likely to decrease before mid-2008 which will eventually create savings in insurance costs among general practitioners. The ROCS levy is legislated to increase to 15% on July 1, 2008, unless the federal government intervenes. Medical Indemnity Industry Association of Australia chief executive officer (CEO) Ellen Edmonds-Wilson asserted that she believed that the 15% rate increase was highly unlikely.

The article reports on the failure of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' program to secure federal government funding to support international medical graduates who are preparing for their college fellowship examination. According to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the Australian government would only fund election commitments in the 2008 budget.

The article announces the take over of Primary Health Care to Symbion Health medical centres after achieving majority stake of the company in Australia. According to the author, general practices in Symbion will be having a new boss after Dr Edmund Baterman of the Primary won the lengthy battle for Symbion. Primary had already showed their interest in acquiring Symbion's medical centres and selected radiology and pathology business.

The article focuses on the report from the New South Wales government about 20% of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) being treated with stimulants. The study found that doctors are cautious is prescribing stimulants. However, professor Philip Mitchell, chairman of the review and head of the school of psychiatry at the University of NSW says, clinicians should not be swayed by public opinions on overprescribing, but be confident with their judgments.

The article reports on the heightened concern over the passing percentage of the fellowship examination of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2007 in Australia. The concern has risen when almost half of the international medical graduates who took the examination failed, which reflects the level of support offered to these doctors. According to professor Tim Usherwood, the result suggested that these doctors were not being adequately supported.

The article reports on the proposed regulations of Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for inflight medical equipment in Australia. The regulations would require all crew to have first aid training, all aircraft passengers to carry first aid kit and larger planes to have emergency medical kit that would also reflect international standards. CASA spokesman Peter Gibson says, can be carried out over Australian airlines and international aviation organizations.

The article reports on the misinterpretation of the Privacy Act by medical specialists in Australia. It mentions that specialists are withholding patient information from general practitioners (GPs) on privacy grounds. It states Federal Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis' views that clinical care of patients should not be hampered by the Privacy Act and patient consent for sharing health information can be verbal. It also points out that withholding information may put patients' welfare at risk.

The article reports about a British study showing that patients applying for sick leave certificates wanted proper diagnosis and treatment of their illness. It states that this study strengthens the Australian Medical Association's views on medical certificates being issued by doctors and not by pharmacists. It also mentions the WorkChoices legislation under which sick notes can be issued by any registered health practitioner including physiotherapists and pharmacists.

The article focuses on suggestions given by Australian medical experts to provide pertussis booster to all general practitioners (GPs) and practice staff to prevent them from infecting infants and elderly patients. It mentions the recommendations of several government organizations about this vaccine and states that the pertussis infection could be fatal for infants and the elderly. It also informs that WorkCover NSW in New South Wales, considers providing staff immunizations a part of GPs duty.

The article reports on the development of a six-storey clinic by a group of general practitioners in New South Wales. The Gardens Medical Centre which is expected to be opened in April 2008 has been aimed at supporting a holistic team-based approach to patient care through the services of general practitioners and other allied health workers in the country such as psychologists, occupational therapist as well as several nurses.

The article reports on the request by Sydney general practitioner (GP) on the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to make the encryption of e-mailed patient information as a suggested option rather than a requirement of accreditation in Australia. The RACGP responded that encryption was important because e-mails could be defrauded by people searching for information to use for identification purposes. It is also stated that patient privacy was the paramount concern.