Leela Arthur

General Practitioner, interests in refugee health, viral hepatitis, chronic disease, and social determinants of health.

[Louise stone @GPswampwarrior]

I've been thinking about the cost of a GP to the govt & community, because apparently its OK to keep your Medicare rebate down to 2007 rates. You're funding the gap, and GPs are closing down. Drs who need to pay off their HECS debts are becoming non GP specialists.

[Wendy Burton @Lady_Gwendoline]

It is absurd beyond all imagining that the only time anyone is not entitled to higher Medicare funding for care from a GP that takes longer and is more complex is during pregnancy @brookmanknight @M_C_Rice @CarolineHomer @RANZCOG_Pres @BoultonMaria https://t.co/Zh49QJu68Q

[Prof Jane Munro @DrJaneMunro]

At this start of 2022, COVID is everywhere.
There are a range of things you can do to reduce the impact on yourself & your family:
1. Preventing COVID infection
2. A Home COVID Preparation Checklist
3. What to do if you & your household get COVID
4. Recovering from COVID 1/25

[Wendy Burton @Lady_Gwendoline]

@GregHuntMP makes it sound like increased bulk billing rates shows how healthy the Medicare system is. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here at the front line, the Medicare freeze and squeeze is impacting service provision and the very future of the general practice.

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Is great to see this research I was a participant for published. Good evidence that addressing diet reduces risk of progression to diabetes and improves long-term outcomes. Yet no medicare funding for dieticians until diagnosis with DM..
https://t.co/pCoDt63kbs

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Huge amount of respect due to our receptionists. It's not an easy job!

Be kind: GP receptionists are taking the heat with every policy update during COVID, vaccines included https://t.co/rNcdekzVI0 via @ConversationEDU

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Providing health care in a state of neglect https://t.co/ibsIxoeU5b

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

@DrGrinzi What!!!! This is insane. This is going to force us away from using telehealth for anything other than script repeats or blood test results. The longer telehealth appointments have been hugely beneficial for my complex patients who often lead chaotic lives making ftf appts hard.

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

@brettmontg @drhesterwilson @jo_manski @theMJA @RACGP @brookmanknight @runningdoc14 @DrGrinzi @LizSturgiss I'm paywalled on my mobile and too lazy to remember/find my institutional login also, but whinging and advocacy are too different things @drhesterwilson. I have a huge amount of respect for all your writing - nothing that I have read of yours has been whingy in any way!!

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Agree lots of truth bombs here. Huge access issues where I work and has not been solved by the 10 extra psychology sessions.

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

"I'm sorry I cannot prescribe this to you today because it is not safe, but let's see what else we can do to help."

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Language matters. Stigma causes harm. How can we improve? It starts with checking our own biases and the language we use. The systemic stuff is harder. What are your stories? What things have you changed? What ideas do you have?
https://t.co/KuWcCfBHHq

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

One thing I have really tried to change is my attitude to "drug seekers" - can we reframe this to "a person experiencing drug dependence, whose needs are not being met"? Boundaries are necessary and can still be set, but in an empathetic and respectful manner.

[Amy Fitzpatrick @AperolFitz]

I cannot BELIEVE how med school made such a big deal out of phaeochromcytoma but have not a single lecture on “how to support your homeless patient”

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

@mariamtokhi @RACGP Thankyou for your insights. Agree different funding models are needed to fund complex care. An item number to cover the costs of interpreter use (about 1/3 of the consults for my practice) would be a great first step. @GregHuntMP

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

https://t.co/MLTJ90RMEs

[Dr Tim - also say hello on Blue Sky & Mastodon @timsenior]

I was pleased to hear @triplejHack covering mental health for #RUOKDay - such an important issue, particularly for young people.
And then @PatMcGorry seemed to suggest that young people shouldn't see their GP for mental health problems.
I'm sure that's not what he meant to say

[Dr Nikki Stamp FRACS @drnikkistamp]

532 new cases in Victoria.

With case fatality rates, predictions of 75 deaths this week alone. These are preventable deaths

This is serious - stay home, wear a mask. #COVID19Vic

[Leela Arthur @leelaar]

Rest in peace Dr Nespolon. What a legacy to leave behind. My thoughts are with your family.

[RACGP @RACGP]

Dr Harry Nespolon has died: The RACGP President has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

https://t.co/XAIzmQQmpr