This a paper presentation at the 2013 Medicine Learning and Teaching Forum, held at the University of New South Wales on 4 December 2013.
Authors:
- Dr Michael Tam
- Dr Joel Rhee
- Mr Christopher Go
- Dr Chinthaka Balasooriya
Dec 04 2013
Evaluating a pilot e-learning activity for medical students in general practice: a randomized trial
Nov 22 2013
Radio interview on bowel health
I gave a short interview on 4BC radio (Brisbane) today on the topic of bowel health. This was based on my article in The Conversation.
Nov 15 2013
Interview for body+soul Magazine
I gave a phone interview today to Fiona Baker, a journalist from body+soul Magazine, on the topic of alcohol hangovers.
Nov 15 2013
Comment: Scaphoid fractures. Thumbing through the research
The following is a comment to the online article “Scaphoid fractures. Thumbing through the research“, written by Dr Robin Park on the FOAM4GP website. This was a very readable summary of some of the evidence behind the management of scaphoid fracture assessment in the general practice context.
Dear Rob,
Another fantastic post and summary!
Before I give my 2c on this clinical scenario, I like to reflect on the Dave Sackett vision of EBM – that it is the combination of best external evidence, patient values and expectations, and clinical expertise. The research evidence (of which the majority in this scenario has not been in the primary care setting) needs to be applied in a critical manner, appropriate to the context and setting in which care is provided. Continue reading
Nov 14 2013
Comment: To statin or not to statin?
The following is a comment to the online article, “To Statin or not to Statin? – That is the question” by Dr Robin Park. This article is a very readable summary of a number of practical questions about statins for GPs.
Great summary Rob!
A few comments… The evidence for the benefit of LFT and CK monitoring for statins is poor, and the rationale for doing so is questionable in light of the accumulated safety data for statins. An argument can perhaps be made for baseline LFT (even in otherwise fit and well people), but the utility of a baseline CK is rather low in someone not at high risk of myopathy. Stopping a statin in someone who is at mod/high CVD risk, due to an asymptomatic rise in CK, probably does more harm than good. Continue reading
Dec 01 2013
Comment: Empirical evidence, not eminence, and certainly not dogma
The following is a comment/letter to the editor to the online article, “Some catalysts for debate on statins“, published in Medical Observer. This article covered two somewhat opposing perspectives by Prof Kerryn Phelps, and Prof James Tatoulis to the controversial ABC Catalyst program on the role of lipids and statins on health. The shorter online response was published on 20 November 2013, and an expanded version was published in the final volume of Medical Observer in 2013.
Empirical evidence, not eminence, and certainly not dogma.
What we know about empirical evidence is that conjectures and suppositions extrapolated from cherry-picked data points, pathophysiological rationale, or anecdote, are often misleading and not “useful” – insofar as being able to make correct predictions of the future.
Continue reading