CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
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Australia has embarked on a National Aboriginal Health Strategy that aims to give aboriginals equal access to health services by 2001. Although the harmful effects of colonization are now recognized, it is not possible to eradicate overnight the health problems resulting from 200 years of mistreatment and neglect, officials say. In implementing the strategy, the Australian government is spending $1.3 billion over 5 years to improve the basic infrastructure of housing, water, waste disposal, roads and communications in aboriginal communities, enhance health services and encourage more aboriginals to seek careers in health care.
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Most physicians see disabilities only in the patients they treat, but some doctors speak from personal experience when they say disabilities should not be a barrier to practising medicine. Neurologist Gordon Robinson of Vancouver says the spinal problems that left him a paraplegic could not stop him from practising. ⋯ He could still see patients in the office much as he had before simply by using an examining table that could be lowered. However, it may be more difficult convincing colleagues that physical disabilities are not an insurmountable barrier.
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The possibility that an amendment to new firearms legislation would require physicians to report potentially violent patients raises the controversial issues of physicians' legal duty to warn and the ability of physicians and other health care professionals to predict violent behaviour. For these reasons, it will be necessary to follow carefully any proposed amendments to the legislation.
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A woman from Hamilton, Ont., is suing a local hospital an three physicians, alleging that she suffered excessive pain while giving birth. The first-time mother alleges that she experienced excessive pain during delivery despite her repeated requests for pain relief.