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In response to the increasing demand for emergency department and outpatient services, many hospitals are establishing general practitioner advice lines. While this and other forms of telemedicine may benefit patients, GPs, and specialists, issues such as medical records, confidentiality, reimbursement and standards of care need to be addressed. Such issues may be overcome through training, analysis of existing models and the development of standards in telemedicine. Rigorous evaluation is also necessary to ensure GP advice lines are both safe and effective and not just a cheaper way of delivering care.

Background: Over the past few years, the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) has overcome many of the problems that had initially made it unpopular. Today it is probably the most cost effective reversible form of contraception available., Objective: To examine the reasons for poor utilisation of IUDs in Australia and to describe recent developments in the field of intrauterine devices/systems., Discussion: Myths concerning mechanisms of action and the potential for pelvic inflammatory disease, lack of familiarity, training and high insurance costs continue to limit the ability of general practitioners to fully utilise the potential of IUDs. The introduction of the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system has however, broadened the indication for IUDs from just being contraceptive to being therapeutic for several gynaecological conditions.