Clinical tips: weight loss
Weight loss is an uphill battle, which is why a few helpful pieces of advice can matter, writes Ben Basger Here are six reasons why weight management is so hard: the …
Clinical tips: Gastric reflux
PPI use is increasing, writes Ben Basger—but what is its role long term? Do you think that when doctors decide to block the production of stomach acid by using a …
Clinical tips: the worried well
How can pharmacists provide real help to the “worried well”? wonders Ben Basger Are people who have symptoms for which there is no obvious cause treated with medicines? You bet! …
Clinical tips: lung health
Here are a few thoughts on optimising lung health, writes Ben Basger We know that cognitive and physical impairment (such as manual dexterity, visual issues and the inspiratory force able …
Clinical tips: mental health
Mental health issues often don’t occur in isolation, writes Ben Basger There are challenges when dealing with mental health patients. Responses from such patients may differ from other types of …
Clinical tips: stroke
How can pharmacists help prevent stroke? writes Ben Basger About 50, 000 Australians have a stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA) per year. Factors that increase the risk of stroke are …
Clinical tips: inappropriate antibiotic prescribing
Here are 14 reasons why doctors may inappropriately prescribe antibiotics, writes Ben Basger Australians are amongst the highest users of antibiotics in the developed world, with approximately one antibiotic prescription …
Clinical tips: is reducing hypertension always appropriate?
Is it always best practice to reduce blood pressure? writes Ben Basger The decision to treat someone for hypertension should be based on their cardiovascular risk ─ that is, the …
Clinical tips: 10 points about Parkinson’s Disease
Ben Basger presents 10 points to consider on Parkinson’s Disease… Parkinson’s disease is much more than a movement disorder! Dopamine loss in the substantia nigra, which serves to modify motor …
Clinical tips: falls explained
Pharmacists can help identify patients at risk of serious injury from falls, writes Ben Basger Falls may result in serious injury. For example, 12 months after a hip fracture in …
Clinical tips: osteoarthritis
It may be time to change your thinking about osteoarthritis, writes Ben Basger Osteoarthritis is the leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in Western society. It is the most common form …
Placebos: beneficial, or deceptive?
Are placebos a legitimate tool in helping patients, or is their use unethical or deceptive? wonders Ben Basger The word “placebo” is Latin for “I will please”. Pleasing patients seems …