Legalising medical cannabis in Australia
Introduction Cannabis was first used in China around 6,000 years ago and is one of the oldest psychotropic drugs known to man. [1] There are several species of cannabis, the …
Adult pertussis vaccinations as a preventative method for infant morbidity and mortality
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a potentially fatal respiratory illness caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It commonly occurs in infants who have not completed their primary vaccination schedule. [1] …
Thought the ‘bed shortage’ was bad, until the ‘surgeon shortage’ came along
“Make up your mind how many doctors a community needs to keep it well. Do not register more or less than this number.’’ George Bernard Shaw If you have ever …
Dengue fever in a rural hospital: Issues concerning transmission
Introduction: Dengue is either endemic or epidemic in almost every country located in the tropics. Within northern Australia, dengue occurs in epidemics; however, the Aedes aegypti vector is widespread in …
Seasonal influenza vaccination in antenatal women: Views of health care workers and barriers in the delivery of the vaccine
Background: Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing influenza. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for all pregnant women who will be in …
The therapeutic potentials of cannabis in the treatment of neuropathic pain and issues surrounding its dependence
Cannabis is a promising therapeutic agent, which may be particularly beneficial in providing adequate analgesia to patients with neuropathic pain intractable to typical pharmacotherapy. Cannabinoids are the lipid-soluble compounds that …
Bring back the white coats?
Should we bring back the white coat? Is it time for this once-venerated symbol of medicine to re-establish itself amongst a new generation of fledgling practitioners? Or, is this icon …
A biological explanation for depression: The role of interleukin-6 in the aetiology and pathogenesis of depression and its clinical implications
Depression is one of the most common health problems addressed by general practitioners in Australia. It is well known that biological, psychosocial and environmental factors play a role in the …
Use of olanzapine in the treatment of acute mania: Comparison of monotherapy and combination therapy with sodium valproate
Introduction: The aim of this article is to review the literature and outline the evidence, if any, for the effectiveness of olanzapine as a monotherapy for acute mania in comparison …
Is Chlamydia trachomatis a cofactor for cervical cancer?
Introduction The most recent epidemiological publication on the worldwide burden of cervical cancer has reported that cervical cancer (0.53 million cases) was the third most common female cancer reported in …