Michael Tam

Dr Michael Tam is a clinical academic Specialist General Practitioner, combining the provision of family medicine, research, health services development, and governance. Michael’s clinical interest is in the whole-person primary care of people living with mental illness. He is actively involved in mental health policy, strategy, and governance, with local, state, and national bodies. Michael’s research is in integrated care and preventive care in general practice. He has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Most commented posts

  1. Health Check: can you treat the common cold? — 6 comments
  2. Monday’s medical myth: take an aspirin a day after you turn 50 — 3 comments
  3. Quoted in ABC Life article, “Knowing when you should call into work sick with a cold or flu” — 3 comments
  4. Monday’s medical myth: cranberry juice prevents bladder infections — 2 comments
  5. Why don’t we detect at-risk drinkers? A qualitative study of GP beliefs and attitudes — 2 comments

Author's posts

Sep 28 2020

The ED2GP (emergency department to general practice) for Women study: understanding lower follow-up rates among older women

This paper was published (initially as early access online) by the Australian Journal of Primary Health on 28 September 2020. This has been published as open access, and the full-text and PDF are available from the journal website: https://doi.org/10.1071/PY19221 Hanna S, Tam CWM, Knight A, Zhao L, Ban L, Pellizzon B, Parks J. The ED2GP (emergency …

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Sep 23 2020

Quoted in, “‘More than 80%’ of diagnostic errors deemed preventable”

I was interviewed and quoted in the article, “’More than 80%’ of diagnostic errors deemed preventable”, written by Ms Anastasia Tsirtsakis, published in newsGP. Tsirtsakis A. ‘More than 80%’ of diagnostic errors deemed preventable. newsGP. 2020 September 22. Available from: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/more-than-80-of-diagnostic-errors-deemed-preventab [PDF]

Sep 04 2020

Quoted in, “GPs in high COVID areas should get respirators fit-tested: Experts”

I was interviewed and quoted in the article, “GPs in high COVID areas should get respirators fit-tested: Experts”, written by Mr Doug Hendrie, published in newsGP. Hendrie D. GPs in high COVID areas should get respirators fit-tested: Experts. newsGP. 2020 September 4. Available from: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/gps-in-high-covid-areas-should-get-respirators-fit [PDF]

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Aug 19 2020

Mental health workforce needs in General Practice

I delivered this presentation to the Australian Government Department of Health, National Mental Health Workforce Strategy Taskforce today. This presentation outlines the critical importance of Australian general practice in the provision of community mental health care, and outlines some of the challenges and strategies from the perspective of GP mental health workforce.

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Aug 14 2020

A qualitative study of clinicians and patients exploring how alcohol brief interventions can be better embedded in routine general practice

This poster was presented at the AAAPC Annual Research Conference 2020, held online on 14-15 August 2020. [Abstract (PDF) : Poster (PNG)] Gunatillaka N, Russell G, Nielsen S, O’Donnell R, Lam T, Skouteris H, Ball L, Barton C, Jacka D, Tam M, Mazza D, Rowe C, Wells N, Sturgiss L. A qualitative study of clinicians and patients …

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Mar 24 2020

Quotation in “Advice for talking to your chill parents about coronavirus”

I was quoted in this article about communicating with older people who may not appreciate the seriousness of COVID-19, was published today by health journalist Kellie Scott at ABC Life. [Link :: PDF]