Category Archives: medical writing

Drug seeker basted me like a turkey

Some people excel at obtaining prescription drugs to sell. Even the crustiest doctors sometimes get done over like a dinner. Here’s my turkey story. Continue reading

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48-second GP consultations

GPs in some countries have a fleeting moment to do what takes me 15 minutes. Can less be more? Continue reading

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‘Junior’ doctors: what’s in a label?

Is the term ‘junior doctor’ an insult? Maybe not today, but it will be tomorrow. That’s how these labels roll. Continue reading

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How to measure med student empathy

Everyone agrees doctors need empathy. But a new study finds medical entrance exams try to measure it, and fail. Continue reading

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The Fed endures, and so must we

If some old Swiss guy can still win Wimbledon, there’s hope for all us old codgers. Keep moving, or die. Continue reading

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Tamiflu: an expensive lesson in panic stockpiling

The removal of Tamiflu from the WHO “core medicines” list is an uncomfortable reminder of the $4 billion we spent stockpiling it during the 2009 swine flu. What on earth were we thinking? Continue reading

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Pain clinics: how did such a fresh idea turn sour?

Pain clinics. In theory, a multi-disciplined team skilled at helping those with chronic pain wean off high-dose, addictive medications. In practice: “More drugs, anybody?” Continue reading

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Let’s celebrate the bolt-cutter surgeon

Here’s to the lateral thinkers, the gritty folk who get the job done. Even if they’re orthopaedic surgeons. Continue reading

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Greater transparency on specialist fees: a no-brainer

Health consumers are too much in the dark when it comes to guessing fees for seeing medical specialists. Let’s shine a light. Continue reading

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Four Corners Big Vitamins exposé: cuts both ways

One ABC report examines ‘Big Vitamins’ marketing techniques, as another exposes Big Pharma. Same coin. Both sides need exposing. Continue reading

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