Tag: general practice

A doctor’s most powerful tool

A doctor’s most powerful tool The most powerful way a doctor can help their patient is to listen.  By far, listening is the greatest portion of the value of any consultation.  Whatever the monetary value, even for a procedure, the greatest portion of the value is a doctor’s listening ear. Feeling heard and understood is at

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Why I stopped using the word “just” and why the #justaGP narrative has to stop

There are a few words and phrases that I do not use.

The large majority of them include offensive slang, derogatory names, words and phrases that simply bring down the conversation that I am having to the lowest levels of respectability.

But there is one word that is innocuous and hides in plain sight which dismisses, diminishes and reduces whatever it is connected to. 

And that word is “just”.

My truth about General Practice: Why it’s central, why I left and finding a calling…

What is the truth about General Practice? The truth about General Practice is that it is challenging. The end. Ha! Now that would be too easy and tremendously disrespectful to my General Practice colleagues. So, what is it that makes General Practice challenging? But firstly and most importantly, what makes General Practice such a rewarding

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Saying goodbye to my patients — The power of relationships

Photo by Jake Thacker on Unsplash “Anne, I think the reason that you’ve been more forgetful lately is because you have early dementia….” my voice cracked with emotion as I delivered the bad news. I’d never cried infront of a patient before but sheer will couldn’t contain the salty tears that flowed down my cheeks. Anne’s

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I think that your life is making you tired

Summary: In the absence of disease, a busy life lacking personal replenishment is detrimental to your health and future Take home message: Reverse engineer the type of life that you desire, cut out the distractions, live intentionally and replenish yourself daily Key beneficiaries: Anyone who lives in this busy, distracted and in this connected world! Time to

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The most popular posts on theHealthyGP in 2015

What a brilliant year! I’ve wondered why my wife and I were so tired towards the end of year and realised a great deal had happened! We are enjoying a break in warm Perth at the moment, reflecting on the year that was and preparing to tackle 2016. These posts below were the most read

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Rest, replenishment and the art saying “no” – essentials to achieving work life balance

I believe achieving work life balance after burnout is possible. It might just take a few years of adjustments, minor setbacks, some failures to do so! Forged over the last few years with the advice of some wise mentors and my personal journey, I would like to share a plan and framework to approach burnout

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Burnout, depression and not wanting to be a doctor anymore

I have been here a few times over the last 9 years of doctoring. Not too long ago I understood what it felt to be sad everyday for no good reason and have no energy. Things were getting strained at home and I wasn’t enjoying my work. I’d like to share a story and talk

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The end of the beginning and the next step

This post has been about 6 and half years in the making, from around the time I discovered Google reader and started to read blogs regularly. I am not sure what has stopped me. Most likely the combination of working, study, children and moving three times from the country to the city and back to

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