Pain and emotion therapy: a promising new evidenced-based approach for people with chronic pain
A new clinical trial has shown that addressing the emotional experience of chronic pain may be a core component in effective pain management.
Opinions
What’s new in pulmonary fibrosis treatment
Successful trials of new medications offer hope for people with pulmonary fibrosis.
Sjögren’s disease in Australia: why we need to pay attention
Most of us have heard of Sjögren’s disease (or Sjögren’s syndrome), an autoimmune condition that targets moisture-producing glands. We associate it with dry eyes and dry mouth (sicca symptoms), and while those symptoms are certainly hallmark features, they are only part of the story.
Can you replace your therapist with an AI chatbot?
An increasing number of people are using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT for mental health and support. There are both benefits and risks associated with the use of AI for mental health. However, there are no policies or guidelines to inform the safe use of AI chatbots for mental health purposes.
Getting restraint right in aged care: why general practitioners and aged care providers must work together
Australia’s aged care system is undergoing a necessary transformation — one that places the rights and dignity of older people front and centre. At the heart of this is the need to minimise restrictive practices, including the use of chemical restraint.
Australia has 120 health workforce policies. But with no national plan, we’re missing the big picture
Australia’s health workforce is under pressure. Wait times are growing. Burnout is rising. Yet the country is awash in policy – just not the kind that solves these problems at the root.
Delivering spirometry testing where it’s needed most
Spirometry testing is necessary for an accurate diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is a cornerstone of optimised COPD management. A new report from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) highlights that the people who need it most are missing out.
Balancing practicality with care in smoking cessation for patients with cancer
On oncology wards, busy clinicians are often burdened by time pressure and competing demands and may struggle to implement the 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) or ABC (Assess, Brief, Counsel) models for smoking cessation. However, despite various suggested models of care, implementation of cessation programs after a cancer diagnosis has been poor, with its management frequently perceived as being “out of scope” to core clinical care. But since the 2014 US Surgeon General’s (SG) report on smoking cessation, there has been increasing recognition that it is vital for improving patient outcomes.
Queer youth at risk of losing mental health support access in social media ban
Young LGBTQ+ Australians look to social media for mental health support and a sense of community. The social media ban risks exacerbating existing mental health inequity.
