Abdominal bloating, distension and wind are common symptoms, and difficult to manage. Auckland gastroenterologist Alan Fraser takes GPs through the important stage of defining these symptoms as accurately as possible and looking at the management approaches with some evidence of benefit
Primary care clinicians need to be confident that their talk interventions do make a difference to a patient’s distress; in most situations, a talk first and prescribe later approach allows the benefits of a non-drug approach to be assessed and acknowledged
Young children are at a higher risk of burns, particularly scalds, as they explore their environment. This first of two articles on paediatric burns summarises the steps general practice can take to optimise initial care and promote healing with reduced scarring
Persistent organic chemicals and their pollution of groundwater around firefighting activities has been in the spotlight, but the evidence of causation of ill health is still remarkably inconclusive
Steadily worsening lower leg pain that comes and goes with exercise requires a careful history and examination, sometimes within a minute of the patient stopping exercise
When the sun’s nuclear fusion has zapped your energy and the sky is, again, the same old tiresome turquoise, you might like to catch up on your continuing education through our ELearning platform
Gayle Robins rounds up the clinical education content in the latest issue of New Zealand Doctor. Use the embedded links to go through to the relevant ELearning page
It is easy for a doctor under cross-examination to become constrained by the questioning and to be unable to reveal the true circumstances. Preparation, as Wellington barrister Gaeline Phipps explains, can help stop you becoming frozen in the spotlight
Sudden-onset symptoms in a man shortly after taking a quinine tablet need prompt investigation and patient monitoring. This case also describes the differential diagnosis based on the laboratory results and blood testing
When a parent brings a child to your practice seeking a medical note to explain an absence from school or to avoid an activity, often the history or timing can reveal another story
Specialist GP Nikki Vadgama provides some tips to make your next paediatric eczema consult easier. She includes a review of new guidelines, resources, websites and medications for paediatric eczema management