Author Archives: Dr Justin Coleman

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About Dr Justin Coleman

Justin is a GP in Brisbane and educates GP Supervisors for the RACGP. He edits Australia's most used medical textbook, and is a medical writer and educator. Further details at https://drjustincoleman.com/

Eat like an Italian

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

A new study confirms the life-saving power of a Mediterranean diet. So why have I been too lazy to prescribe it until now? Continue reading →

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Diagnostic health apps: coming soon to your smart phone.

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

Could this week’s new phone app be the world’s smartest diagnostic tool? Or does it just want to be? Continue reading →

Posted in medical writing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Paracetamol and pregnancy: what’s the fuss?

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

Today’s health news is all about whether taking paracetamol (Panadol, Tylenol) while pregnant may cause ADHD. What did yesterday’s study actually show? Continue reading →

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Does complementary medicine equal anti-vax?

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

This week’s systematic review finds many alternative practitioners occupying the middle ground between vaccine and anti-vax camps. Continue reading →

Posted in medical writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pharmacy business model: consumers at risk

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

Q. “Are patients confused when non-evidence based therapies are sold alongside prescription medicines?”
A. “Yes.” Continue reading →

Posted in medical writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Does high antibiotic use prevent serious complications?

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

A BMJ article yesterday provided strong evidence that doctors who prescribe antibiotics at high rates for respiratory tract infections are not, in fact, protecting their patients from serious bacterial complications such as meningitis. This finding negates the ‘patient safety’ claim repeatedly pulled out … Continue reading →

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World’s best video animation about pharmacists in GP-land

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

Disclaimer; my claim of ‘world’s best’ relies heavily on the supposition that this is also the ‘world’s only’ such video animation. It introduces the novel concept of embedding a pharmacist within a general practice (in addition to the pharmacy business owner down the road). … Continue reading →

Posted in medical education | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

We doctors must lift our game on antibiotics

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

Today’s major report on Australia’s antibiotic prescribing makes fairly grim reading. The Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) report reveals the following: Almost half (46%) the population was prescribed an antibiotic in 2014. More than half of patients with colds, flu and … Continue reading →

Posted in medical education | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Weight-loss surgery: really the most radical treatment in a century?

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

I spend a lot of time highlighting the commercial forces that promote expensive medical interventions. So yesterday, when I read a lead author describe his new guidelines as “the most radical change in the treatment of type 2 diabetes for almost … Continue reading →

Posted in medical writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

My last laugh

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Dr Justin Coleman

  This column marks the end of four years of my writing for the Medical Observer column Humerus. The GP magazine is undergoing a major revamp and there just ain’t no more room for the funny bits. That’s okay; publication … Continue reading →

Posted in medical writing | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments