Australian Family Physician audio

Edith Weisberg, Director of Research, Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health Research, Family planning New South Wales, discusses research into young women’s attitudes to and uptake of HPV vaccination with Dr Jenni Parsons. Two hundred and ninety-four women aged 15–26 years attending Family Planning NSW clinics completed the a questionnaire. Over 70% of the women had visited a GP in the previous 6 months but 40% were unaware that they could obtain free vaccination through a GP. Women 26 years old and under are eligible for free catch up HPV vaccination in 2009 but must have their first vaccination by 30 June 2009. After the end of 2009 women wanting HPV vaccination will need to pay for them themselves at a cost of approximately $140 for each of the 3 doses. General practitioners should use opportunistic visits by young women and recall and reminder systems to encourage women 26 years and under to commence vaccination by 30th June 2009.

Romano Fois, lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, discusses benefits and risks of compounded medicines with Dr Jenni Parsons. There has been an increase in the prescribing and dispensing of individualised pharmacotherapy in the form of compounded medicines in recent years. These medicines are not may have important benefits to the patient but their use requires that the prescriber and pharmacist carefully assess the evidence regarding their use, weigh up the benefits and risks, provided detailed consumer information and report any adverse drug reactions.

Romano Fois, lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, discusses benefits and risks of compounded medicines with Dr Jenni Parsons. There has been an increase in the prescribing and dispensing of individualised pharmacotherapy in the form of compounded medicines in recent years. These medicines are not may have important benefits to the patient but their use requires that the prescriber and pharmacist carefully assess the evidence regarding their use, weigh up the benefits and risks, provided detailed consumer information and report any adverse drug reactions.

Jane Tracy, Education Director, centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria, discusses successful communication in consultations with patients with intellectual disabilities with Dr Jenni Parsons. Jane discusses the range of verbal and non verbal communication that is used by patients with intellectual disabilities, including augmentative and alternative communication (AACT) systems. The principles of successful communication are to interact directly with the patient, tailor language appropriately, support communicative efforts, provide clear explanations and utilise pictures and diagrams, obtain additional information as necessary from carers and other sources with the patients permission and allow adequate time for consultations.

Jane Tracy, Education Director, centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria, discusses successful communication in consultations with patients with intellectual disabilities with Dr Jenni Parsons. Jane discusses the range of verbal and non verbal communication that is used by patients with intellectual disabilities, including augmentative and alternative communication (AACT) systems. The principles of successful communication are to interact directly with the patient, tailor language appropriately, support communicative efforts, provide clear explanations and utilise pictures and diagrams, obtain additional information as necessary from carers and other sources with the patients permission and allow adequate time for consultations.

Kay Wilhelm discusses the differences in presentations of depression between men and women. Men often display irritability and withdrawal in response to depression and are less likely than women to talk about their depression or how they feel.

Darren Russell discusses health issues of the newly single man with Dr Jenni Parsons. For men who are newly single there are a range of health issues that may arise including sexual health, alcohol and drug use, stress and mood disorders.

David Forbes discusses the assessment and management of post traumatic stress syndrome (in particular the role of trauma focussed psychological therapy). GPs can assist patients who have experienced trauma within the past 2 weeks by providing psychological first aid, and monitoring and assessment for the development of acute stress disorder and symptoms of PTSD. Trauma focused psychological treatment is the first line of treatment for PTSD, and in this interview David Forbes outlines what is involved in this specialised form of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Edith Weisberg discusses research into young women’s attitudes to and uptake of HPV vaccination. Two hundred and ninety-four women aged 15–26 years attending Family Planning NSW clinics completed the a questionnaire.

Romano Fois discusses benefits and risks of compounded medicines. There has been an increase in the prescribing and dispensing of individualised pharmacotherapy in the form of compounded medicines in recent years.

Jane Tracy, discusses successful communication in consultations with patients with intellectual disabilities. Jane discusses the range of verbal and non verbal communication that is used by patients with intellectual disabilities, including augmentative and alternative communication (AACT) systems.

Dr Aleeta Fejo talks about being an indigenous doctor, efforts to increase the number of indigenous doctors in Australia, and helping out Santa for disadvantaged indigenous children.

I thought that this story started when I was 28 years of age, but actually, it started before I was born. I am a Larrakia Traditional Owner, inherited from my father, and I am a Warramunga woman from my mother.

Dr Tricia Nagel talks about the successful use of a brief goal setting intervention in remote indigenous communities.

Detection and treatment of mental illness in indigenous communities is often complicated by cross cultural difference, social complexity and comorbid disorders.