In which John discusses the complicated reasons why the United States spends so much more on health care than any other country in the world, and along the way reveals some surprising information, including that Americans spend more of their tax dollars on public health care than people in Canada, the UK, or Australia. Who's at fault? Insurance companies? Drug companies? Malpractice lawyers? Hospitals? Or is it more complicated than a simple blame game? (Hint: It's that one.) For a much more thorough examination of health care expenses in America, I recommend this series at The Incidental Economist: http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/what-makes-the-us-health-care-system-so-expensive-introduction/ The Commonwealth Fund's Study of Health Care Prices in the US: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2012/May/1595_Squires_explaining_high_hlt_care_spending_intl_brief.pdf Some of the stats in this video also come from this New York Times story: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/health/colonoscopies-explain-why-us-leads-the-world-in-health-expenditures.html?pagewanted=all This is the first part in what will be a periodic series on health care costs and reforms leading up to the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, in 2014.
Doctors are increasingly using the internet, to communicate, to educate, and to use sometimes as medical devices. And now docs are tackling social media, which a few of the Top Ten do, in spades. The Top Ten come from all over, from Australia to the Bay area. There is one from the Netherlands, one from Hungary,, and one from Australia. The other seven are Yanks. And they are all MDs.
Despite record numbers of patients, accident and emergency departments are struggling to recruit and retain staff. Why?
Aaron is a Junior Doctor working away in sunny Australia. Aaron has been a longstanding FOAMed Advocate, and enjoys the interplay of medicine and technology. When not traveling along the path of medicine, he enjoys rock climbing, sailing and giving his drumkit a decent hit.
WHO welcomes the Government of Australia’s commitment to providing health professionals and more funding to boost the fight against Ebola virus disease.
Ireland introduces standardised packaging of cigarettes: Ireland has passed legislation banning all forms of marketing branding (including logos and colours) from cigarette packaging. It is the first country in Europe to introduce standardised packaging and the second in the world. Australia introduced it in 2012.
Adjunctive treatment with quetiapine for major depressive disorder: are the benefits of treatment worth the risks?
I'm hoping to do my elective in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and would love any tips or ideas regarding getting it organised. Is it better to try to contact hospitals directly? Will I be expected to pay for my placement? Anywhere that's particularly good or should be avoided?