The Medical Journal of Australia

Associate Professor Julie Marchant discusses the updated position statement on chronic cough in Australia, highlighting the need for early intervention and the impact on Indigenous communities. The podcast covers evidence-based research developments, diagnosis and management of chronic cough in children, and addressing chronic cough in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. It also explores new guidelines for chronic cough, emphasizing user-friendly resources for effective implementation in medical practice.

Explore the importance of medical record management with David Maddocks and Dr Owen Bradfield. They discuss legal obligations, codes of conduct, continuity of care, risks of inadequate record keeping, and patient sensitivity. Emphasizing clear and accurate records, privacy principles, and the use of electronic records to reduce risks.

Dr. Sam Heard discusses the prevalence and impacts of iron deficiency in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They explore challenges in providing care, screening importance, treatment methods for different age groups, and addressing iron deficiency in children for optimal health.

Professor Arumugam Manoharan discusses iron deficiency in the general Australian population, focusing on causes, symptoms, and treatments. Topics include optimizing iron therapy with vitamin C, alternative treatment approaches like total dose iron infusion, and key takeaways for managing iron deficiency anemia.

Associate Professor Reema Harrison discusses challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse patients in healthcare, emphasizing person-centric care. Topics include patient harm disparities, clinician engagement challenges, strategies for engaging diverse patients, and enhancing healthcare outcomes through cultural engagement.

Discussing new Australian guidelines for diabetes related foot disease, Associate Professor Pete Lazzarini and Professor Stephen Twigg cover topics such as foot ulcers, interdisciplinary interventions, risk classification, proper footwear, Sinbad and Wi-Fi scoring systems, infections, and wound healing. Emphasizing the importance of guideline-based care to prevent complications in diabetic foot disease.

Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO of Cancer Australia, discusses the new Australian Cancer Plan aiming to improve outcomes for all Australians. Topics include the importance of equity in cancer care, the role of supportive care, collaboration among comprehensive cancer centers, advancements in cancer treatment, and the significance of a national plan for guiding cancer care.

Professor Sharon Goldfeld and Dr. Mihiri Silva discuss the urgent need to improve access to dental care for Australia's children. They address the high prevalence of tooth decay, inequities in dental health, and the importance of preventive dental care. Recommendations include integrating dental care into healthcare systems and implementing public health policies like fluoride in water and sugar taxes.

Dr. Owen Bradfield, Chief Medical Officer, discusses doctors facing disciplinary notifications due to mental health issues. Topics include the emotional impact of patient complaints, doctors' experiences with regulatory responses, understanding mandatory reporting, and utilizing research findings to support practitioners.

Professor Jaquelyne Hughes and Ms Kelli Owen discuss the barriers Indigenous Australians face in accessing renal healthcare services, importance of cultural safety in healthcare for First Nations individuals, and the establishment and progress of the National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Task Force. They highlight the task force's impact in advancing Indigenous kidney health equity through data analysis, addressing cultural bias, and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences.