Scrubs Blog

In the past, one of the most prominent differences between doctors and nurses has been that one group has traditionally been dominated by women, while the other has been dominated by men. This is something that has changed significantly in recent decades, and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Flu Vaccinations for Children
NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley was approached by the media in relation to a NZ Doctor online article that reported that thousands of children may miss out on free flu vaccines because they are registered at the wrong medical centre. Speaking on TV3 news last night, Dr Foley voiced NZMA concerns: “The Ministry has decided to target those that will be eligible by way of which practice they attend rather than by individual need.”

We were dissecting an abdomen, which was filled with fatty tissue. To get through fat, you basically have to just pull it out with a massive tweezer and a scalpel. I was busily dissecting through the huge adipose layer, with the enthusiasm of a first year medical student. One of my colleagues was hanging over my left shoulder to try and get a glance. He was quite a keen student, but he hadn’t mustered up the courage to get stuck in yet.

So, I worked fervently, and was getting through to the prize that was the adominal peritoneum. As I got closer, I worked quicker. A small piece of fat flew from my tweezers. I watched in horror as it shot towards the guy who was standing behind me, with his mouth open.

Undoubtedly, the internet has helped some people improve their healthcare. There are fora all over the web, where people with troublesome symptoms share stories of their eventual diagnosis, so others may prompt their GP or specialist to think about a similar diagnosis for them. The internet helps people compare GPs, hospitals and health tips. It’s a source of support for those having children, or helping a loved one through serious illness. The internet definitely has its uses.

But then there’s the flipside…

The concept of medical and clinical leadership has had plenty of ‘air-time’ in recent years, on both the national and international stage. There is widespread agreement that clinician involvement in healthcare management is advantageous.

An average of 32,000 new members have joined Kiwisaver each month in the last year. That’s an impressive growth rate of 54% over the last 12 months, exceeding most peoples expectations. At current growth rates by 2015 (in just five years) Kiwisaver funds under management are predicted to have reached the same level as retail funds, however there is still plenty of room for growth. Out of the 3.8 million New Zealander’s eligible to join Kiwisaver, so far only 1.2 million or 34% have signed up. Or to look at it another way there are still 66% of eligible New Zealanders missing out on the long term benefits that come from preparing themselves for retirement one day. From as early as 2012 Kiwisaver members will start to become eligible to receive their savings, and that is when they will be looking for high quality advice and service.