Pomegranate Health

Uncertainty can be frightening for patients and doctors alike, but it's an unavoidable fact of medicine in every specialty. In this two-part story, we hear from a GP, a paediatrician, a surgeon and a rheumatologist about how they navigate the grey areas of diagnosis and treatment, and maintain a patient's faith throughout. In the first episode , we examine the culture within the professi...

Uncertainty can be frightening for patients and doctors alike, but it's an unavoidable fact of medicine in every specialty. In this two-part story, we hear from a GP, a paediatrician, a surgeon and a rheumatologist about how they navigate the grey areas of diagnosis and treatment, and maintain a patient's faith throughout. In this episode, we examine the culture within the profession and...

It's estimated that socioeconomic (SES) factors are responsible for half of a population's health and wellbeing status. In comparison, medical services might determine only a quarter of health outcomes. Better targeting of social services and health resources is key to addressing this—but it's not just a macro-level problem, according to Professor Ross Upshur FRCPC of the Dalla Lana...

Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present unique challenges for the emergency physician. As these patients often have trouble making sense of their own emotional and physical states, they can become very distressed when experiencing pain. Many are also limited in their language abilities, and therefore can’t communicate verbally what is wrong In this episode of Pomegranate, carer An...

This episode looks at one of the biggest steps in a physician's career: retirement. It's common to avoid thinking about retirement, and the idea can sometimes come as a shock—professionally, personally, or financially. This month, we speak with physicians both in and out of retirement, as well as two psychiatrists whose research focuses on medical professionals' identity. Guests A/P...

This is a two-part series looking at how modern genomics is changing clinical practice, and how a physician can hope to keep up with the pace of discovery and technological development. Some single gene tests and gene panels have been available off-the-shelf for years, but whole genome sequencing is becoming more accessible and affordable every day. In the first episode we discussed the difference...

This is a two-part series looking at how modern genomics is changing clinical practice, and how a physician can hope to keep up with the pace of discovery and technological development. Some single gene tests and gene panels have been available off-the-shelf for years, but whole genome sequencing is becoming more accessible and affordable every day. In the first episode we discuss the differences...

This episode goes back 200 years to tales of the early Sydney colony. The lectures featured on the program were first recorded at the 'Our Healthy Heritage' seminar series, hosted quarterly by the Australian and New Zealand Society of the History of Medicine . Dr Fiona Starr of Sydney Living Museums retells colourful accounts of the colony's first general hospital, better known as t...

Sir Harry Burns and Dr Ruth Hussey OBE are public health physicians involved in 'whole-of-system change' in Britain's health and social care. They were invited to Australia in 2016 to advise NSW Health on such delivery models; this episode of Pomegranate features a special lecture presented at the RACP during their trip. As the former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland, Sir Harry Bur...

Almost three quarters of physicians surveyed in the U.S. admit to ordering at least one unnecessary test, procedure or treatment every week. In Australasia, EVOLVE is the RACP's initiative to minimise clinical practices that aren't supported by the current evidence base, and stems from the international healthcare campaign Choosing Wisely. EVOLVE has recently published a list of the top...

While more than half of all medical students and trainees are women, they make up only about 30 per cent of registered physicians. When it comes to clinical leadership positions it's down to single digits, and medicine's gender pay gap is worse than that of other industries The reasons for this loss of talent, and disparities in pay, are both cultural and logistical. One significant fact...

Crystal methamphetamine, or ice, has been sensationalised in the media over the past decade. While raising awareness of the drug, such reporting has also stigmatised its users—both on the street and in the wards.  In this episode of Pomegranate, some of Australia's leading addiction researchers and clinicians explain how misleading the dominant narrative is and put straight some of the facts...

Pyrexia, or fever of unknown origin (PUO) is a syndrome that challenges the diagnostic skills of every physician. It is defined by frequent fevers over 38.3 degrees Celsius, persisting for 3 weeks, which have eluded diagnosis by standard baseline tests. Dr Rohan Beresford, Advanced Trainee in infectious diseases and microbiology and Professor Iain Gosbell of the University of Western Sydney, revie...

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to provide better care for the 460,000 Australians who have significant and permanent disability. The NDIS supports individuals in making personalised therapy goals, accessing appropriate care, and participating in mainstream life. Since 2013 the scheme has had a staged launch across parts of Australia. This month, the NDIS will start rol...

Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a decade lower than that of the non-Indigenous population. Addressing this disparity is one of the key priorities of the Closing the Gap initiative agreed upon by the Council of Australian Governments.  Today's speakers discuss where progress has been made and where resources are still lacking. Associate Professor Noel Hayman...

The World Health Organization defines 'adolescents' as anyone between the ages of 10 and 19, and 'youth' as those between 15 and 24. The RACP uses the terms 'young people' and 'adolescent and young adult' to cover the whole range of 10 to 24 years. Regardless of how it's defined, the transition from childhood to adulthood involves a range of physical, m...

Medical practice is dynamic, and continually changes with evidence and experience. But costly or prolonged treatment doesn 't always translate into better outcomes for patients. In response, the College has launched EVOLVE —a partnership with specialty societies to identify and reduce low-value care. EVOLVE is part of a growing international movement to examine clinical and consumer decision-...

The gut microbiome is the subject of increasing research in medicine. Understanding this complex community offers potential new insight for treating a number of diseases—gastrointestinal and otherwise. But what's the evidence base? In this episode Dr Peter De Cruz FRACP, Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service at the Austin Hospital, discusses his recent IMJ article 'Characterisat...

Obesity can seem like what strategists call a 'wicked problem'—a problem with so many parts that it's impossible to solve. But some things are changing. While prevalence is still high in developed countries, childhood obesity appears to be plateauing. Social movements like 'Health at Any Size' promote body positive approaches. And at Dr Nic Kormas' clinics, obese pati...

By shaping the next generation of physicians, supervision affects the lives and health of patients. In this episode, our guests explore how the role of the supervisor has changed over time (as well as where the role ends), the skills needed for a good supervisor, and some suggestions on how to deliver constructive criticism. With combined decades of experience, they also share their thoughts on ho...

'One Health' is a contemporary movement based on a long-held observation: that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked. In the current issue of the Internal Medicine Journal, Prof Peter Collignon FRACP has published a One Health-informed clinical perspective: Antibiotic Resistance – Are We All Doomed? But paradoxically, he says, he's optimistic abo...

Most preventive health messages focus on diet, exercise, and stress reduction. But are doctors taking this advice for themselves? The Doctors' Health Advisory Service, or DHAS, was created in 1981 to offer confidential help to practitioners in both Australia and New Zealand. This episode features Dr Jill Gordon FASPsychMed, president of DHAS New South Wales; Dr Roger Sexton FRACGP, medical di...

This month we're presenting a review of stem cell research and stem cell therapies from Professor John Rasko FRACP, head of the Department of Cell and Molecular Therapies at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital A self-confessed 'stem cell tragic,' Professor Rasko routinely separates the hope and hype surrounding any new medical research. In this episode, he reviews the stem cell treatme...

In the final of our three-part series on end-of-life decision-making, we're integrating perspectives from the law. For dying patients, their families, and their medical staff, the majority of decisions are reached without contention. But law in this field is complex, and varies by jurisdiction. As a result, doctors may possess knowledge gaps around end-of-life care. This episode features inte...

Treating a dying person goes beyond understanding their disease. In the second of a three-part series, we examine the importance of family and culture in end-of-life care—from the ICU to the neonatal unit. This episode features interviews with Dr Andrew Watkins FRACP and Dr Peter Saul FCICM.   Production This episode was produced by Anne Fredrickson, with music from Chris Zabriskie ('I am Run...