Searching for meaning in life
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves - Viktor Frankl
The many obvious determinants of chronic disease as we age include a history of poor diet and inactivity, smoking, drug and alcohol use but also a less recognised contributor is having a lack of meaning in life. This was examined by the famous Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl (1905-1997), founder of the so-called ‘Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy’, who pioneered a psychotherapeutic approach to treating depression that he called logotherapy (from the Greek ‘logos’ or meaning).
In his seminal 1959 book Man’s Search for Meaning Frankl, a WW2 holocaust survivor, wrote of how the survival of fellow Jewish prisoners related to the extent individuals had meaning or purpose in their lives. This could be, but was not necessarily, associated with spiritual or religious beliefs. It could also spring from attachments to family, friends, culture, occupation or interests.
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- Written by: Andrew Binns
Locals flock to new hospital’s open day
Nearly 800 visitors turned up to the community open day at the new Byron Central Hospital at Ewingsdale on Saturday 9 April, availing themselves of the opportunity to tour the $88 million facility before it opens in May.
The guided half-hour tours included the inpatient ward, the well equipped Emergency Department, non-acute inpatient mental health unit and ambulatory care consult rooms and clinic spaces.
Byron Central Hospital was funded by the NSW Government, and the project was overseen by Health Infrastructure NSW. Construction work began in late 2014 and was largely completed within a year, ahead of schedule.
Currently, the NNSW Local Health District is engaged in the commissioning process, ensuring that all systems are working as intended and staff are fully orientated to their new workspaces.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
Healthier Medicare reforms target chronic illness
Billed by the federal government as a “revolutionary reform package”, the Healthier Medicare changes announced on 31 March have the better management of patients with chronic illness firmly in their sights.
The package is also aimed at supporting Aboriginal Medical Services to tackle the growing prevalence of complex chronic conditions amongst Indigenous Australians.
The government has adopted the ‘Health Care Homes’ moniker for the trial program, which was one of the key recommendations of the clinician-led Primary Health Care Advisory Group’s (PHCAG) report Better Outcome for People with Chronic and Complex Conditions.
The Health Care Homes trial with run for two years from 1 July 2017 and will involve 200 practices and 65,000 Australians at a cost of around $21 million.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne and David Guest
Read more: Healthier Medicare reforms target chronic illness
GPs can prescribe new Hep C treatments
In consultation with a gastroenterologist, hepatologist or infectious diseases specialist experienced in the treatment of hepatitis C, GPs can now prescribe the new interferon-free treatments for the disease.
North Coast Public Health Director Paul Corben said, “The three main public treatment services in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Lismore (and their respective outreach clinics) will be using a faxback service, although it is still early days and not all clinics have access to the full range of specialists yet.”
Faxback forms and details of referral requirements are available from the clinics in the first instance.
“The clinics are in the process of updating the Health Pathways website and the LHD websites and information on management will be posted there soon.” Mr Corben added.
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Preoperative iron correction - a North Coast success
Preoperative iron deficiency and anaemia increase the risk of both intra and post-operative morbidity. The condition is common, particularly in planned gynaecological and gastrointestinal disease surgery and in major joint replacement. Emergent treatment with blood products exposes the patient to infection and cross match risks and may delay surgery.
General practitioners are ideally placed to recognise the problem, since they are frequently involved in the diagnosis and early management of all these conditions. Detection of iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, is often the starting point for diagnosing the underlying pathology.
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- Written by: David Guest
Read more: Preoperative iron correction - a North Coast success
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