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Live Patients Lie
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association advises that up to 80% of patients have lied to their doctor about information that could impact their health, including accurately describing their food options and how often they exercise. When survey participants explained their reasoning for doing so, they said that they wanted…
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Outreach Services are Drivers for Clinical Services that can Expand Market Share
This article is the last in an article series attempting to summarise a focus for community pharmacy direction using an outreach Pharmacy-in-the-Home program as a driver of future directions. We have identified two main demographics as being the driving forces – the ageing population and a younger time-poor demographic who have in their charge young…
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OMNS- Preventing Falls- A serious matter: One in four falls in the elderly proves fatal.
Preventing Falls – A serious matter: One in four falls in the elderly proves fatal. Being a physician doesn’t qualify me as an expert on falling. But because I am 91 years old, I have mighty good motivation to keep learning. In my experience, many geriatrists (specialists in the problems of older people) seem to lack…
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The Risks of Irregular Sleep
A new study on sleep patterns suggests that a regular bedtime and wake time are just as important for heart and metabolic health among older adults. In a study of 1,978 older adults publishing recently in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at Duke Health and the Duke Clinical Research Institute found people with irregular sleep patterns…
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OMNS – Five MORE Fluoride-Condemning Studies Published
Five new published studies support previous research linking fluoride to thyroid disease; ADHD; overdosing formula-fed infants and bias in government reports. Another reveals pregnant Canadians have higher urine fluoride levels in fluoridated vs. non-fluoridated areas which previous studies linked to offspring’s lower IQ. Fluoride exposure coupled with iodine deficiency is linked to thyroid disease, report…
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Have we lost the importance of touch?
Touch can show gentleness and compassion, or it can show carelessness or incompetence. Many of our patients feel that being touched is important to getting better. Gentle touching when examining an injured area, inspecting an irritated and angry skin patch or just comforting a person who hasn’t had an ideal medical diagnosis has become a…
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A National Community Pharmacy Minor Ailment Program – Scotland is there, Australia is where?
The UK has long been a beacon, lighting the way for pharmacists to be fully integrated into the healthcare team through clinical expertise. Scotland in particular has been very successful in gaining political support and recognition for pharmacy expertise, actual and potential. Community pharmacy in the UK and Australia has long been a first resource…
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Getting Involved!
How often are you asked for an opinion as to whether a particular test is worthwhile. Instances here might be vitamin D or more commonly, a coronary artery calcium score (CACS). The first cardiologist who used this, and openly discussed the benefits, was high-profile Dr. Ross Walker in Sydney. His colleagues really gave it to…
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Dealing with distraction
Our digital lives might be making us more distracted, distant and drained, according to to research presented by the American Psychological Association. For example, even minor phone use during a meal with friends is enough to make diners feel distracted, and it reduces their enjoyment of the experience. Even people with their phones easily accessible…
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The Difference Between Care and Service is Significant
I’m not bemoaning the current state of pharmacy, but what percentage of your time is spent doing what you went to pharmacy school to provide? How can we ensure that we prioritise care over service? Somehow, we have to re-educate our patients and customers that outstanding care is essential, and good service isn’t. We don’t…