The national competency standards framework for pharmacists in Australia will be undergoing amendments, for release in early 2016 as announced today by the Pharmacy Practitioner Development Committee (PPDC). [ + ]

Supporting carers to balance work and care is rapidly becoming one of the most critical social and workplace issues of this generation. Timothy Broady and Katherine Stone provide some tips for employers on how to manage all staff with carer responsibilities. [ + ]

Workplaces are still not meeting employees’ expectations in terms of mental wellbeing. Rod Gutierrez outlines what can be done. [ + ]

A study published in the BMJ has highlighted concerns over implant based female sterilisation using the Essure device which blocks the fallopian tubes. Women who undergo the hysteropic sterilisation procedure have a significantly heightened risk of reoperation following complications, which the study’s authors have highlighted as a serious safety concern. [ + ]

Federal Health minister Sussan Ley today launched a campaign aimed at Australians to take up sporting activities in the name of their own wellbeing. [ + ]

All of us have taken a tumble at some point in our lives. But as we grow older, the risks associated with falling over become greater: we lose physical strength and bone density, our sense of balance deteriorates and we take longer to recover from a fall. Alarmingly, this process begins around the age of 25. The reasons for this are varied and complex, but by understanding them better, we can find ways to mitigate the effects of old age. [ + ]

The Penny Arcade Expo Australia or PAX Aus is one of the largest gatherings of pop culture in Australia, bringing together video games, tabletop games, cosplay, panels and presentations, concerts, friendly LANs and professional e-sports in the one place in Melbourne from 30 October to 2 November this year. [ + ]

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) and the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) have joined forces to help promote National Nutrition Week (October 11 – 17) by saying that not only are vegetables a crucial part of a healthy diet, but they’re good for your teeth as well. [ + ]

How to give your patients confidence when working with you – long before you meet them face to face. Jane Anderson is a Personal Branding Expert helping service professionals to position themselves effectively in their industry. Here Jane shares her advice for medical professionals managing their own practices on establishing trust between patient and doctor before the first meeting.  [ + ]

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As we approach the warmer months, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has given a heads-up to its members of the increased number of ‘Risky Nomads’ who hit the road to make the most of (or travel to) the better weather. [ + ]

The Mental Health Academy is offering 20 hours of CPD training through their 2015 Mental Health Super Summit, which will be held online  from 29 October - 6 November. [ + ]

On a warm August 2004 day in Philadelphia, I joined 150 first-year medical students on stage at the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate the start of our medical careers. The dean called our names and, one by one, draped short white coats around our shoulders. We then stood together as a class and recited the Hippocratic Oath, reflecting on the importance of becoming humanistic physicians. My parents had driven up from Kentucky and proudly sat in the audience. It was a powerful ritual and a memorable day. [ + ]

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Jill Joseph is a leading healthcare planner and designer, having worked across the US, Europe and the Middle East as a consultant for Herman Miller Healthcare. This year she visited Australia to educate architecture and design firms on patient-centred care and evidence-based design for the healthcare industry. [ + ]