Be An Awesome GP Podcast

Dr Christopher Timms

Every week Dr Chris Timms is joined by a guest who pitches their idea on how to improve family medicine. One question. Two people. Infinite possibilities to improve general practice. General Practice in Australia faces challenges. While GP’s are working very hard to serve their communities, what can we do even better?

  1. 30 DE JUN.

    Be An Awesome GP - Revolutionizing ADHD & Neurodiverse Care: Dr. Katherine Holzhauser's Journey

    Revolutionizing ADHD & Neurodiverse Care: Dr. Katherine Holzhauser's Journey   Join Dr. Christopher Timms as he interviews Dr. Katherine Holzhauser from the Kaleidoscope Clinic, discussing her profound impact on ADHD and neurodiverse care.   Key Discussion Points:   Dr. Holzhauser's Background and Career (00:47): Learn about Dr. Holzhauser's journey, starting from her background in general practice. Establishing Upward Life Family Practice (01:43): Discover the origins and establishment of the Upward Life Family Practice, a significant step in her career. Challenges and Achievements in Rural Practice (02:45): Dr. Holzhauser shares insights into the unique challenges and notable achievements encountered during her time in rural practice. Applying for the Future Leaders Program (03:10): Hear about her experience participating in the Future Leaders program and how it has shaped her professional development. ADHD Management in Queensland (06:11): Gain insights into the current landscape of ADHD management specifically within Queensland. Challenges in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment (07:30): Dr. Holzhauser sheds light on the significant challenges faced in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Future of ADHD Care in General Practice (10:36): A forward-looking discussion on the evolving role and future of ADHD care within general practice. Final Thoughts and Encouragement (11:39): Dr. Holzhauser offers some concluding remarks and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clinical curiosity in general practice.   Resources and Further Information:   Upward Life Family Practice: https://www.ulfp.com.au/ Kaleidoscope Clinic: https://kaleidoscopeclinic.com.au/ RACGP Future Leaders Program: https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/programs/future-leaders-program Important Note: This podcast is intended for educational purposes for GPs and does not constitute specific medical advice. Please consult your own GP for medical concerns and your state's legislative requirements for practice.

    13min
  2. 27/04/2024

    Dr Nicole Higgins - President of the RACGP on GPs and the Scope of Practice Review.

    In this episode of Be an Awesome GP, Dr. Nicole Higgins, the President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners shares her insights on the Scope of Practice Review, a crucial topic. As GPs navigate the increasingly turbulent healthcare system, they play a unique role equivalent to pilots ensuring a safe landing in the field of primary care. This Scope of Practice Review emerges from the 2022 Strengthening Medicare Taskforce. It examines the roles of all primary healthcare providers from GPs to nurses, allied health professionals, and pharmacists. This episode further explores the issues paper 2 concerning health workforce scope, opportunities, and the potential for the inter-professional collaboration in the Australian healthcare system. Dr. Higgins emphasizes the immense training duration and expertise of GPs in managing complex care. However, she acknowledges that current legislation and regulations often limit their potential. She further discusses matters of duplication, increased healthcare costs, and the risk of care fragmentation. The concerns revolving around the direction of health reform and the potential for a fragmented, two-tiered health system are also addressed. Members are briefed on how to take actionable steps regarding these reforms and the invaluable role of GPs in advocating for better patient outcomes and a stronger healthcare system. To conclude the episode, Dr. Higgins inspires other GPs to take initiative in advocacy, emphasizing how anyone can contribute to enhancing the healthcare landscape. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for GPs and the broader healthcare workforce.

    12min
  3. 12/04/2024

    E-sports, gamers and physical injuries: Is it time for an e-sports physician?

    Today we delve into the realm of gaming disorders, with a particular focus on the physically associated symptoms. We are thrilled to have Dr. Daniel Stjepanovic from the University of Queensland as our guest. Dr. Stjepanovic has recently published a paper titled 'Extended Hours of Video Gameplay and Negative Physical Symptoms and Pain' in Computers in Human and Behaviour. This episode stands out as a Journal Club episode, as we shed light on the essentials of Dr. Stepanovic's paper. His research, part of the International Gaming Study 2022, looks at the implications of gaming disorder's recent classification as a diagnosable condition by WHO. The study focusses on the physical harm or discomfort associated with video gaming, a domain seldom touched upon in comparison to the social, emotional, and mental well-being. The research methodology involved disseminating a comprehensive survey to regular video gamers, with the threshold for "regular" set as at least three hours a week. The concentration was on symptoms like eye fatigue, wrist or hand pain, back or neck pain, and general problems like headaches and muscle aches. Outcomes highlighted age or gender displaying no significant difference. However, a noticeable dose-response connection was observed where players who indulged in continuous gaming for at least three hours signposted significantly increased odds of physical discomfort. As we continue discussing the evolving field of gaming disorder, we also touch upon the budding genre of esports and its potential translation into an actual career. With this in consideration, we further delve into the difference between aspiring professional players and those diagnosed with internet gaming disorder, in terms of the rate of physical injuries. Lastly, we recount the chief physical injuries as reported in the survey, which include eye fatigue, wrist or hand pain, back or neck pain, and general physical problems like headaches and muscle aches. The episode ends on an open-ended note, awaiting more organized structure and research in the gaming disorder space, hinting at the probability of witnessing a future where generalized practicing encompasses sub-specialties like 'esports physicians'. Feel free to check out The National Center for Youth Substance Use Research at the University of Queensland's website for more information and findings on the subject. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563224000499?via%3Dihub

    15min

Sobre

Every week Dr Chris Timms is joined by a guest who pitches their idea on how to improve family medicine. One question. Two people. Infinite possibilities to improve general practice. General Practice in Australia faces challenges. While GP’s are working very hard to serve their communities, what can we do even better?