Opinion Archives - Medical Forum

Now and then we wonder

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·July 7, 2024

Sometimes a statistic causes one to really question assumptions and to ask why? The winter edition of Horizons (RAC member magazine) has data on road fatalities. What was staggering is that 80% of fatalities were male. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·1 min read·

Here we go again

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·June 5, 2024

Australia is again facing a shortage of doctors. This happened in the mid-1980s and in early 2000s. This time it is more severe. The solution being proposed is a throwback to the ’80s – bring in more doctors from overseas. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·1 min read·

Where have the questions gone?

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·April 1, 2024

The medical profession is not immune to societal trends, one of which is living in echo chambers where the only people you interact with are those who you agree with 100%. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

The numbers tell a story

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·March 1, 2024

While numbers can be manipulated (lies, damn lies, and statistics), raw numbers can tell a story. On January 31, the Productivity Commission reported “…total government recurrent expenditure for health services for the latest years covered in this report was $150.9 billion.” Public hospitals cost $90 billion in 2021-22, with primary and community health a mere $55.4 billion. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

Transparency – a new approach

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·February 4, 2024

Over 20 years ago freedom of information (FOI) laws were applied to medical practices. Doctors became legally obligated to provide their files to patients making an FOI request. There was significant concern at the time, which largely proved to be misplaced. Relatively few requests have been made. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

New beginnings

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·January 2, 2024

Most people have heard of Warren Buffet, the head of Berkshire Hathaway and investment guru (notwithstanding he does not accept that description). His long-term business partner, Charlie Munger, who is less of a household name, died in November – a month shy of his 100th birthday. In the same month, Henry Kissinger died having reached his ton, to use cricket parlance. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

Focus on what matters

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·December 6, 2023

A person working in the automobile industry said recently that people were getting more hostile. He observed that before the COVID response he rarely saw signs saying, “abuse will not be tolerated”. It went without saying and, by the way, was not common. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

Reflections on life

Dr Joe Kosterich, Clinical Editor·November 4, 2023

For all the health issues that we face, life expectancy in Australia continues to increase. According to the AIHW, a male born today can expect to live 81.3 years and a female 85.4 years. This is 30 years more that at the turn of the 20th century. Surprisingly the gender gap has widened from 3.7 to 4.1 years. Read More...

Clinical Opinion Opinion

·2 mins read·

Opinion

Now and then we wonder

Here we go again

Where have the questions gone?

The numbers tell a story

Transparency – a new approach

New beginnings

Focus on what matters

Reflections on life

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