A survey of 300 Kiwi doctors by the Medical Protection Society found half felt unable to take a break between procedures, and almost as many did not feel their wellbeing was a priority at work Read more

It will have its inaugural meeting at St Michael's School Hall in Remuera, Auckland on May 25.

Mass will be celebrated at midday in St Michael's church by Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn.

The aim of the association is to support medical practitioners, drawing on the treasures of the Catholic faith, especially in regard to the ethical challenges of healthcare today.

The meeting, from 10.00am to 3.00pm, is open to all those who work in healthcare and in roles which support healthcare such as administration or health leadership.

While there is particular emphasis on supporting doctors, the association also wishes to extend an invitation to nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, counsellors, social workers, chaplains, dentists, health administrators, lawyers, medical students and anyone who works in allied roles.

Dr Joseph Hassan, his wife Cushla who is a clinical nurse manager, and Dr Christina Noetzli are organising the launch event.

Mrs Hassan said "the group is for people who want to understand the wisdom of the Catholic Church on ethical issues.

"Non-Catholics may also be interested to be part of it.

"There will be an opportunity to meet in groups, particularly groups related to the health care area you are in," Hassan said.

"We're hoping that, as a result of the meeting, we'll have established an organisation or a group that will meet regularly and support each other regularly."

Noetzli gave particular encouragement to young workers in the health sector to attend the inaugural meeting.

• Those who want to attend can email info@newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz
• Those who want more details about the event can go to newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz/event.

Source

• nzcatholic.org.nz
• newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz
• Image: nyit.edu

At least 68 young people were hospitalised on the island of Sulawesi last week after taking these pills. Two children died.

"It was relaxing as if I was flying. After that, I lost consciousness. When I came to again, I found myself lying here," a 16-year told kompas.com last Wednesday.

Despite being illegal, the pills are widely distributed in many parts of Indonesia through drugstores and markets. They are ostensibly for the relief pain including headaches and toothache.

20 pills can commonly be purchased for just US$2.

"The government should stop its distribution," said Doctor Felix Gunawan, director of the Association of Voluntary Health Services of Indonesia, an association of Catholic hospitals.

He also called on Catholic hospitals to buy drugs only from official vendors certified by the government's National Agency for Drug and Food Control.

"Patients who want to buy medicinal drugs must have a prescription from medical doctors," he told ucanews.com on 20 September.

Pharmaceutical observer Anthony Charles Sunarjo said the effects of PCC pills if used in excess will make users hallucinate and lose control of their behaviour.

On September 18-19 police confiscated more than 100,000 pills from several locations and closed down Central and West Java factories which produce them.

They have arrested dozens of suspected dealers of the illegal medication in Kendari, capital of Southeast Sulawesi province.

They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Source

• Seemit
• UCAnews
• Image: SearchHome Remedies.com

Medical students, residents and practicing physicians commonly report symptoms of burnout and depression. Rates vary depending on the group, but range from 20-60%.

Frank suicidal ideations (when someone has serious thoughts or plans about suicide) are reported in 5-10% of physicians.

I was discussing this with a colleague who told me that four of his medical school classmates have taken their own lives.

He graduated in a class of 160 students, so that means that more than 2% of class died by suicide.

Why is burnout - and suicide - so prevalent among medical students, residents and physicians?

At least a part of the problem stems from the fact that people in general and physicians in particular are reluctant to be honest about such things for fear of consequences. Because there remains a remarkably stubborn kind of social stigma associated with depression, those struggling often become more reticent to come forward and seek help.

Unless we can create safe space to seek help without fear of reprisal, nothing is going to change. It is with this goal in mind I decided to share my story.

When I was a young faculty member in my early 40s at the University of Florida College of Medicine, I had the deep sense that I was called to care for cancer patients, teach young physicians the art and science of medicine and do my best to advance the field in the area of clinical research.

I found great fulfillment caring for the bravest and most vulnerable of patients. I loved teaching medical students, residents and fellows and had a modest but successful clinical research program.

With four children, a wonderful wife and a group of very close friends, life felt pretty good. From the outside I was successful, although stressed. Who wouldn't be, as a cancer doctor? Continue reading

• James W Lynch is a Professor of Medicine at University of Florida.

The General Medical Council has issued guidance warning that it would be "discriminatory" for doctors not to prescribe either the pill or morning-after pill because they disagree with people having sex before marriage.

Senior Catholic bishops and campaigners have criticised the new orders claiming they will force Christian doctors and others with strong moral beliefs to prescribe treatments against their consciences. Continue reading