The year has kicked off with a bang, and our first issue covers the PSR, Nipah virus and AI.
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We’ve started the year off with an important update to ophthalmologist Dr David Kitchen’s closely-watched lawsuit against former Professional Services Review director Professor Julie Quinlivan. A Queensland Supreme Court Justice has found in favour of Dr Kitchen and ordered Professor Quinlivan to pay damages of close to $2 million. Professor Quinlivan has since signalled her intention to appeal, but the case is already garnering attention from the medical community and beyond.
Other big pieces of news to come out over our break included plans to replace the Medicare cheques for doctors scheme, alerts for Nipah virus in West Bengal and an announcement that all telehealth doctors would soon have to start using My Health Record to document prescriptions. Meanwhile in the pharmacy world, chemist giant Terry White Chemmart has unveiled ambitious plans for pharmacist-led prescribing.
For those interested in tech and the growing role of artificial intelligence in health, don’t miss our reporter Helen Tobler’s feature on ChatGPT Health’s rollout in Australia. We’ve also got a lengthy interview with former RACP president Professor Paul Komessaroff and an op-ed on addiction from Associate Professor Kees Nydam. Professor Louise Stone’s reflection on leadership is also not to be missed.
On the clinical front, new research has raised further questions on the long-term use of GLP-1 RA therapies. Evidence is now piling up that people will start regaining weight almost immediately after ceasing the drugs.
We hope you enjoy this issue of TMR.
