Consulting in General Practice

This revised lecture was first given to medical students in the Primary Care course on Monday 12 March 2012 at The University of New South Wales.

Monday’s medical myth: take an aspirin a day after you turn 50

The following article was published on The Conversation.

Monday’s medical myth: take an aspirin a day after you turn 50

By Michael Tam, University of New South Wales

Aspirin is a historical marvel. It’s been manufactured for more than a century and is still in widespread use. No other medication can claim as many different narratives and uses as this analgesic – it’s been known as:

  • A traditional medicine – aspirin-like treatments, based on salicylate, have been derived from plants such as willows for millennia
  • An international blockbuster – at the turn of the twentieth century, aspirin was one of the few effective treatments for fever and pain, and was wildly popular (and profitable)
  • A hazard to children – aspirin was recognised in the 1980s as a potential cause of childhood death
  • A modern wonder-drug – aspirin has been resurrected as an important and inexpensive medication for the prevention and treatment of heart attacks and strokes. Continue reading

Absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessment and early intervention

This revised lecture was first given to medical students in the Phase 2: Society and Health term on 5 March 2012, at the University of New South Wales.

Twitter: Poll on universities teaching CAM

Twitter: Even with the pro-CAM supporters gaming poll, “NO” vote to universities teaching CAM still way ahead! http://www.smh.com.au/technology/tec … via @smh ‪#health‬

Monday’s medical myth: mixing drinks causes hangovers

The following article was published on The Conversation.

Monday’s medical myth: mixing drinks causes hangovers

By Michael Tam, University of New South Wales

As a general practitioner, I hear a lot of colourful advice from my patients about what they believe constitutes “safe” drinking and how to avoid a nasty hangover.

Some of the more pithy sayings – “beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear” and “never mix the grape and the grain” – have become part of our vernacular and perpetuate the myth that you can avoid a hangover if you stay away from spirits, or don’t mix drinks, unless it’s in a particular order. Continue reading

Common paediatric problems in GP

This lecture was given to junior medical officers at their Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP) orientation, at the GP Synergy Liverpool Office.

The presentation is hosted by Prezi.com.