Australian journal of general practice
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In a medical negligence claim, courts must consider whether a doctor acted in accordance with the required standard of care. Experts may disagree on what should have been done, particularly in light of knowledge that a patient has been harmed. In Australia, the law gives further guidance on the standard of care, providing that doctors will not have breached their duty if they acted in a manner that, at the time the service was provided, was widely accepted by peer professional opinion as competent professional practice. ⋯ In two recent cases, courts in different states have considered the role of professional guidelines in establishing what was widely accepted as competent professional practice.
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Palliative care aims to improve quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses. It is often linked to the care of people with cancer; however, patients with non-cancer end-stage conditions also have significant needs. ⋯ The symptom burden and care needs for patients with end-stage, nonmalignant illnesses are similar to those of patients with advanced cancer. These patients benefit from a palliative approach, comprising management of the underlying condition and attention to symptoms, psychosocial needs and carer support. Advance care planning provides an opportunity to prepare for future illness episodes, including provision of end-of-life care. General practitioners are well placed to provide palliative care for patients with advanced non-cancer illnesses.
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General practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) are mandated to report child abuse; however, only 2–4% of reports are made by Victorian health professionals. This is concerning, given that the estimated prevalence of physical child abuse alone in Australia is 5–18%. The aim of this study was to explore GPs’ and PNs’ experiences and perceptions of mandatory reporting of child abuse in Victoria. ⋯ GPs and PNs must negotiate their legal obligation, with the emotional burden associated with the decision to report. Updated education on reporting processes and more support for GPs and PNs are recommended.
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Australian junior doctors are stressed and report high rates of burnout. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of burnout in general practice registrars and hospital equivalents. ⋯ On the basis of our findings, we propose a multifactorial model of junior doctor burnout. This model warrants further investigation to inform policies to reduce burnout in junior doctors and ensure a research-based solution is found to the progressive concerns regarding junior doctor burnout and suicides.
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Medical students on clinical placements value positive experiences with specialty trainees. We aimed to document student contact with general practice registrars and other specialty registrars and any relationship between this contact and student career interests. ⋯ Student exposure to general practice registrars in at least one Australian medical school is relatively low. Opportunities to increase this should be explored. Students themselves may have little influence over their contact with specialty trainees, despite valuing it highly.