Diagnose Your Cough with an App
22 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithCough into this phone please: The University of Queensland has developed a mobile application that allows for the diagnosis of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia and asthma based on an algorithm that uses the sound of the patient’s cough for recognition.
Stomach Ulcer Treatments May Reduce Risk of Gastric Cancer
22 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithTreatments for Helicobacter pylori bacterium— the main cause of stomach ulcers — may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, according to recent reseach published in the Cochrane Library. The studies were conducted in Colombia, China and Japan.
Chronic Depression Causes Brain Damage
20 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithA study published in Molecular Psychiatry has shown that persistent depression causes brain damage by shrinking the hippocampus, leading to a loss of emotional and behavioural function.
Assisted Euthanasia and the Right to Dignity
16 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithAssisted euthanasia is always a sensitive topic, and a recent study of New Zealand GPs has revealed that 11.8% admitted having intervened to help a terminally ill and suffering patient to die.
On Our Agenda: Debating Homeopathy
16 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithThis week the BMJ published a debate between two researchers over the effectiveness of homeopathy in treatment of illness. Should Doctors Recommend Homeopathy? played off a 2015 Australian NHMRC report citing that homeopathy was ineffective.
Mobile Phone Hygiene Standards Are Not Necessary
16 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithYesterday we reported on the study performed in an Australian hospital showing healthcare workers not employing infection control practices when handling mobile phones - potential leading to the spread of bacteria.
Queensland Government Spends Big in Health Budget
15 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithQueensland’s Labor Government released its budget, with healthcare to benefit substantially in the areas of hospital services and facilities, ambulance services, disability services and children’s and community health in a record $14.2 billion investment in the public health sector.
Re-testing for Antibiotic Allergies
15 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithPeople who have grown up believing they have an allergy to antibiotics will now be able to be safely tested and reassessed, with the opening of Victoria’s Austin Hospital antibiotic de-labelling clinic.
Tech in Health Update: Managing Patient Files
08 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithVMO to Hospital Documentation Cabrini Health in Melbourne has signed up with secure cloud provider Argus to transmit clinical documents and correspondence between visiting medical officers' (VMOs) practice software and automatically upload them to the hospitals' web-based patient administration system.
Is Private Health Cover Working in Australia?
06 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithAustralia’s largest private health insurer Medibank Private has ended its contract with ACT private hospital group Calvary Health Care following months of negotiation.
Sleep Awareness Week Seeks Survey Participants
06 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithMore than two million Australian adults - over 10% of the population - suffer from a sleep disorder, clinical insomnia or sleep apnea. Sleep disorders cost the Australian economy more than $5.1 billion per year. The reduction in life quality caused by sleep disorders has a further cost equivalent of $31.4 billion a year.
Australia Invests in Primary Healthcare Nurses
06 July, 2015 by Sharon SmithThe numbers of nurses working in rural and remote settings will increase as part of a partnership between the Federal Government and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).
