Mental illness and medical students
The recent article by Nguyen in AMSJ Vol 2, Issue 1 [1] raises several interesting points for discussion regarding the mental health of medical students. In recent years, the mental …
National standards in medical education: Being accountable and striking a balance
The recent suggestions of a national curriculum and a national examination have created important discussions about Australian medical education and its future. [1-2] The debate surrounding their merits and disadvantages …
In and out in four hours: The effects of the four-hour emergency department target on patients, hospitals and junior doctors
Introduction In the eyes of the general public, a hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) is synonymous with overcrowding and tedious waiting. Keen to change this, last year, at the meeting of …
Crossing boundaries – the expansion of the AMSJ
From treating acute blood loss in children to palliative care barriers for the elderly, this issue truly showcases the enormous potential and diverse interests of Australian medical students. Our authors …
Prevention of rheumatic heart disease: Potential for change
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), an autoimmune reaction to an infection of rheumatogenic group A streptococcus bacteria, is characterised primarily by progressive and permanent heart valvular lesions, although other parts of …
Should artificial resuscitation be offered to extremely premature neonates?
Introduction “‘Change’ is scientific, ‘progress’ is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy.” – Bertrand Russell Forty years ago it was generally accepted that a baby …
Photograph: Tumaini
This photograph was taken during a four week elective placement at Ilula Lutheran Hospital, located in the southern highlands of rural Tanzania, East Africa. It emphasises the innocence and resilience …
Markets and medicine: Financing the Australian healthcare system
Introduction In early 2010 the Commission on the Education of Health Professionals for the 21st Century (the Commission) convened to outline a strategy for advancing healthcare towards a system that …
Where do new clinical treatments come from? – Ian Frazer
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, we gained over 25 years of extra life expectancy during the 20th century. These extra years have resulted largely from development …