Find a GP

Over 20,000 new visitors a month arrive at HealthEngine.com.au to learn about specific health information and a to locate General Practitioners and Medical Specialists near them. HealthEngine is fast becoming the major reference source for finding a General Practitioner (GP) in Australia.

The HealthEngine team have just completed verifying the Medical Board registration details of all the Medical Specialists and General Practitioners in the database and are now contacting Medical Practices and Specialist Clinics to confirm their details.

We are now a month away from the official launch of the HealthEngine project and would like to thank those who have given us such great support during our building pahse. We are humbled by the trust that some notable Societies, travel organisations, publishing organizations and General Practices have shown by linking to HealthEngine as their resource for Australian online Health Information.

Societies

Foundation 49 is dedicated to men’s health concerns providing a great series of resources. Their vision is to reduce the number of men dying from preventable conditions through raising health awareness and encouraging regular check-ups.  They recommend HealthEngine as a resource to find a local GP or Specialist.

About Seniors

‘One thing that may stop people with certain conditions from travelling is being unable to find a suitable doctor. HealthEngine offers a search function that can help you find a general practitioner, specialist or hospital nearest to your Australian destination.’

Government Health Organisations

• New South Wales Sexual Health Infoline lists HealthEngine as a resource for sexual health services

Medical Publishers

• MedConnect and Elsevier Australia [Review]

Travel

If you are traveling around Australia it is always nice to know that a doctor, hospital or medical specialist is close at hand.  Sites recommending HealthEngine’s Find a Doctor include

• Around Cairns
• Around Melbourne
• Queensland Armchair Guide

General Practices

Sites using the HealthEngine’s Find a Specialist Service include:

• Bedford Family Practice

Marion Medical Centre Moves On

Marion Medical Centre (Marion Family Medical Centre) based at Level 2, Westfield Marion, 297 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park SA 5046 will close its doors for the final time this week and no longer be in operation from the 26th June 2009.

Dr Sam Elliott & Dr Catherine Chan will continue to provide medical services from the Riverside Family Medical Practice, Franklin House, 1455 South Rd, Bedford Park SA 5042 from Monday June 29th 2009.

Public service announcement – HealthEngine community liaison team

Contact Community@HealthEngine.com.au to have your say

Post-nominal Listing of Qualifications

Post-nominals are a controversial topic, and the listing of qualifications and awards after a name can be confusing unless displayed consistently.

We have reviewed the acronyms of basic qualifications used in medicine and we have reviewed the qualifications in each specialty and sub-specialty. To display postnominal accreditation of Physicians in Australia HealthEngine is using the following notation:

Ordering of qualifications

1. National honours (such as The Order of Australia, AC, AO, AM, OAM)
2. Degrees, Diplomas, then Certificates
3. Fellowships
4. Memberships of Professional Institutions
5. Parliamentary Designations

Example: Dr Michelle Woolhouse MB BS   Dip Hyp   Dip Acu   FRACGP

Punctuation

HealthEngine post-nominal notation uses minimal punctuation. Post-nominals are separated by spaces, not commans, full stops are not used to abbreviate qualifications (eg FRACS not F.R.A.C.S.)

Citation of qualifications

Qualifications and awards are cited in shortened form (eg MD not Doctor of Medicine)

Awarding institutions are listed in Doctor profiles, but not in post-nominal notation.  For example Dr Walid Mohabbat has a basic medical qualification of MB BS awarded from Sydney University, which is listed as MB BS (Syd) in his Doctor profile but as MB BS in post-nominal notation.

Degrees with honours are listed as degrees in HealthEngine post-nominal notation (eg BMedSc), but in full in doctor profile descriptions (BMedSc hons). Honorary degrees (eg hon. PhD) are, however, listed in post-nominals.

Absorption of degrees

Higher qualifications supersede others in the same subject area from the same institution (eg a Master’s degrees supersede Bachelor’s degrees). So if a doctor has both a BA and a MA from the same institution, only the MA will be listed. However, if the doctor has degrees of the same type but from different institutions, they should all be listed, for example BA Oxon MA Edin

Example of HealthEngine post-nominal nomenclature

Associate Professor Stephen Lee, has been awarded the title of Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Sydney University, a graduate diploma in dermatological medicine from Sydney University, and is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.  His postnominals are as follows:

Associate Professor Stephen Lee AM  MB BS  DDM  FACD

For those qualifications that do not yet have shortened postnominals we will be contacting the relevant Institutions to ensure consistency of nomenclature.

Reference sources:

• Australian Government
• List of Post-nominal titles
• Sydney University
• Queensland University

Customise your HealthEngine listing

HealthEngine.com.au

“Finding the right doctor for the right patient”

We would like to take this opportunity to tell you about customising your practice and doctor profiles. Customisation allows you to

Be Found by the Right Patients

• Provide more information to the public and to other doctors, and change your case-mix towards your specific interests and procedures.
• Showcase your interests, procedures, exclusions, billing preferences and a paragraph with any additional information.
• Showcase your practice (logo or photo) services available, operating hours, billing preferences, medical staff and any additional information.

Enhance your Web Presence

• Customised URL: HealthEngine.com.au/dr/YourName
• Customised URL: HealthEngine.com.au/service/PracticeName
• External links to your own website, research articles and publications.
• Contribute articles for patients and doctors, which we will link to your profile to improve your page-rank with search engines.

Engage with your Patients

• Your profile photo or logo will be displayed prominently on your public profile; our Doctor Search Results page and on any articles contributed to HealthEngine

Please feel free to review some recently customized profiles. Once you have provided your customization details, our Data team will create your customized profile within 5 days. Any subsequent updates to your profile will be amended within 48 hours.

Contact a member of our Marketing team to help guide you through the customization process and discuss your individual needs at custom@healthEngine.com.au

Real Natural

HealthEngine would like to welcome Real Natural to the Blogosphere.  A new healthy living and lifestyle blog – well researched, easy to read and some good facts:

“Did you know prehistoric ancestors ate better than we do today. They consumed 3-8 times more vitamins, 3-6 times more minerals, 4 time more fiber and more omega 3, but 10 times less salt….”

or “Contact lens improves eyesight in a world first study?”

Check it out!

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the name given to a rare and aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of organs. The most common type of this cancer forms in the lining of the lungs (pleural) but has also been observed in the linings of the stomach (peritoneal) and heart (pericardial) as well. The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral known as asbestos. Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, brake lining, piping and flooring throughout the 20^th century.

Like most cancers, mesothelioma is very difficult to treat effectively if not caught early. Unfortunately, early diagnosis is not very common. The symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 25 to 50 years to begin showing up. The initial symptoms are also very similar to other, less serious respiratory ailments and are sometimes misdiagnosed at first. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Persistent dry or raspy cough (typically non-productive, meaning there is little or no phlegm)
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more
• Fatigue
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs even when at rest
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest

As stated before, because early diagnosis is so difficult, the cancer is usually in its advanced stages when diagnosed and therefore treatment options become more limited and less effective. A typical mesothelioma prognosis is poor and most people with this type of cancer live for about 1 year after diagnosis.

Those who worked in industries that made widespread use of asbestos are at high risk for developing mesothelioma. Such occupations include shipyard workers, insulators, construction workers, welders, plumbers, electricians, steamfitters, pipefitters, boilermakers, railroad workers, chemical plant workers, power plant workers, miners and auto mechanics. Individuals who live with people who work with asbestos are also at high risk for developing mesothelioma as asbestos can cling to clothing.

Crib Point Medical Centre

A new Medical Centre has recently been opened at Crib Point, Victoria offering a wide range of integrated medical services including physiotherapists, audiologists, psychologists and podiatrists. 

The Crib Point Medical Centre was opened by Mr Neale Burgess MP - State Member on 30^th April 2009 and is located behind the Crib Point Shops near the intersection of Stony Point Road and Disney Street at Crib Point.

The Crib Point Medical Centre is open from Monday to Friday between 8.30AM to 6PM and Saturday from 1PM to 6PM and it is anticipated that the clinic will open 7 days a week in the future and provide extended hour services. Clinic doctors are supported by three practice nurses and offer a full range of general practice services. The clinic is taking new patients.

Medical Schools in Germany

A basic medical degree in Germany takes a minimum of 6 years and includes a final year of practical training in a university or teaching hospital. After graduation another 18 months of internship (Artzt im Praktikum) is required before doctors receive a licence to Practice. Postgraduate training may take four to six years depending on the specialty.

After passing their basic medical degree, including the Staatsexamen und Arzt im Praktikum (State examination and completion of compulsory practical training), graduates receive a license to practice medicine and the professional title of physician (Arzt). The qualification of Doctor of Medicine, Doktor der Medizin, (Dr med.) [MD] is awarded if the graduate has additionally successfully completed a scientific dissertation.

In order to practice medicine, Doctors must register with the Arztekammern der Laender (General Medical Council of the respective provinces). The licence to practice medicine is granted to graduates of recognized medical schools who have also completed 18 months of practical training.

There are 37 medical schools in Germany:

Medizinische Fakultät der RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule), Universitätsklinikum Aachen

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, [a joint institution of the Freie Universitaet Berlin and the Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin]

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

 Medizinische Fakultaet der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitaet, Bonn

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet Carl-Gustav Carus – Technische Universitaet, Dresden

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Heinrich-Heine Universitaet, Duesseldorf

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Friedrich Alexander Universitaet Erlangen, Nürnberg

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitaet Duisburg, Essen

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]
• Founded in 2003 by joining Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg and Universität-Gesamthochschule Essen.

Klinikum und Fachbereich Medizin, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitaet, Frankfurt am Main

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Albert Ludwigs Universitaet, Freiburg

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English
• Course Duration: 6.5 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Fachbereich Humanmedizin, Justus Liebig Universitaet, Giessen

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration:
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Universitaetsmedizin Goettingen (UMG), Georg-August-Universitaet, Goettingen

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English  
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Ernst Moritz Arndt Universitaet, Greifswald

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years, 3 months
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Martin Luther Universitaet, Halle-Wittenberg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg, Eppendorf

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Ruprecht Karls Universitaet, Heidelberg

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years 3 months including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet der Universitaet des Saarlandes

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet.Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet, Jena.

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet der Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Facultaet, Universitaet zu Koeln

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitaet Leipzig

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitaet Luebeck

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Otto von Guericke Universitaet Magdeburg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Universitaetsmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitaet Mainz 

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years 3 months including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet Mannheim, Universitaet Heidelberg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years, 3 months including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Fachbereich Humanmedizin, Philipps-Universitaet Marburg

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet, Muenchen

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years, 3 months including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Fakultaet fuer Medizin, Technische Universitaet, Muenchen

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Muenster

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet , Universitaet Regensburg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultaet III Biologie und vorklinische Medizin, Universitaet Regensburg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet der Universitaet Rostock

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet Eberhard-Karls-Universitaet, Tuebingen

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitaet Ulm

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Fakultaet Medizine, Universitaet Witten/Herdecke

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Julius-Maximilians-Universitaet, Wuerzburg

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]

Medizinische Fakultaet, Universitaet Duisburg-Essen

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Doktor der Medizin (Dr med.) [MD]
• Founded in 1 January 2003 by the joining of the Gerhard-Mercator-Universitaet Duisburg and the Universität-Gesamthochschule Essen  

Qualifications in Sports Medicine

What is a Sports Physician?

• The term “sports physician” is reserved for Fellows of the Australian College of Sports Physicians (ACSP)
• A sports physician is a medical practitioner who has gained specialist standard qualifications in sport and exercise medicine (SEM) and holds the qualification of Fellow of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians. The post-nominal that identifies this qualification is FACSP.

What is a Sports Doctor?

• The term ‘sports medicine practitioner‘ or ’sports doctor’ is used for all doctors with a qualification—for example, Master of Sports Medicine, Diploma of Sports Medicine—and/or interest in sports medicine. 
• A ’sports doctor’ is a medical practitioner with recognized medical qualification and a commitment to sports medicine. They are usually a member of Sports Medicine Australia and a member of the Sports Doctors Association.

Sports Medicine Qualifications

• FACSP
  • Fellow of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians
• FASMF
  • Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation
  • Health Professionals with a minimum of 7 years full membership of the Sports Medicine Association (SMA) with higher tertiary qualifications, attended Australian and international conferences and with research published in national or international journals.
• FSDrA
  • Fellow of Sports Doctors Australia
  • Medical Practitioners who hold a postgraduate qualification in Sports Medicine and are members of Sports Doctors Australia
• FACSM
  • Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine
• FFSEM
  • Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine [UK]

PostGraduate Qualifications in Sports Medicine

• M Sp Med - Masters in Sports Medicine
• Dip SEM - Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine
• GradDip SEM -Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine
• GradCert SEM -Graduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Medicine
  • Many courses available in Australia and overseas e.g. Queensland, New South Wales

 

Colleges/Associations/Societies

Australasian College of Sports Physicians (ACSP)

• Formerly AustralianCollege of Sports Physicians.
• The professional body representing sports physicians in both Australia and New Zealand. It conducts an annual scientific conference, produces a scientific journal and is involved in both training and assessment of sports physicians.
• Sport and Exercise Medicine was recognised by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing as a medical specialty in May 2007. The ACSP is now seeking accreditation as the approved provider of training and assessment in this discipline. This process is expected to be complete by the end of 2009.
• ACSP conducts the only specialist level clinical training program in sports medicine and sport and exercise medicine in Australasia. The training program culminates in the award of a Fellowship in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Sports Doctors Australia (SDrA)

• Professional society in sports medicine for medical practitioners.
• Membership is open to all medical practitioners with a commitment to sports medicine either within or outside Australia
• SDrA is an affiliated discipline group of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)
• Provides continuing medical education in Sports Medicine in Australia

Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)

• Sports Medicine Australia is Australia’s peak national umbrella body for sports medicine and sports science and the leading advisory body on all medical and health issues for active people – from weekend enthusiasts of all ages through to elite level competition.
• SMA is a multi-disciplinary organisation of professionals committed to improving the health of all Australians through safe participation in sport and recreational activities.
• It has a broad membership and includes sports medicine and health professionals; sports trainers; sporting clubs and community members.
• The SMA has branches throughout Australia
  • Sports Medicine Australia WA branch
  • Sports Medicine Australia SA branch
  • Sports Medicine Australia QLD branch
  • Sports Medicine Australia NSW branch
  • Sports Medicine Australia NT branch
  • Sports Medicine Australia VIC and Tasmania branch

Australian Sports Medicine Federation [ASMF]

• The Order of A.S.M.F Fellows’ was established in 1984. 
• The Fellows’ (FASMF) are an ‘elite group’ within Sports Medicine Australia (SMA).
• ASMF Fellows’ have contributed by being a full member for seven years, attending Australian and international conferences, having research published in national or international publications, higher tertiary qualifications, assisting in the administration of some SMA projects and lecturing at workshops.

Useful Links – Australia

• ACSMS - Asics Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport
• ACSP – Australasian College of Sports Physicians
• AIS – Australian Institute of Sport
• NSIC – National Sports Information Centre
• SDrA – Sports Doctors Australia
• SMA – Sports Medicine Association
• Find a Sports Physician
• Find a Sports Doctor
• SmartPlay Australia
• The Essential Sports Medicine Bookshelf

Useful Links – World

• BASEM – British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine
• FSEM -  Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine [UK]
• ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine

Medical Schools in Austria

There are four medical schools in Austria (one private). The duration of the basic medical degree course, including practical training is between 5–8 years (including 16 weeks’ compulsory internship). The final qualification awarded is Medicinae Universalis Doctor (Dr med.univ., Doctor of Medicine). In order to practice medicine, Doctors must register with the Austrian General Medical Council (Oesterreichische Aerztekammer) and obtain a licence to practice.

Karl Franzens Universitaet - Medizinische Fakultaet, Graz

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6 years including practical training
• Qualification: Medicinae Universalis Doctor (Dr med.univ.) (Doctor of Medicine) [MD]

Leopold-Franzen-Universitaet - Medizinische Fakultaet,  Innsbruck

• Medical School Website 
• Course Duration: 6-8 years including practical training
• Qualification: Medicinae Universalis Doctor (Dr med.univ.) (Doctor of Medicine) [MD] 

Universitaet Wien - Medizinische Fakultaet, Wien [Vienna]

• Medical School Website 
• Medical School Website – English  
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Qualification: Medicinae Universalis Doctor (Dr med.univ.) (Doctor of Medicine) [MD] 

Paracelsus Private Medical University of Salzburg

• New medical course  - commenced in 2003
• Medical School Website
• Course Duration: 5 years
• Qualification: Medicinae Universalis Doctor (Dr med.univ.) (Doctor of Medicine) [MD]