November 2017 – partridgegp

1 Corinthians 13:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face

Selfies. We’ve all done it. Some good, some bad, some downright embarrassing. However, there are some embarrassing pictures you may want to see the light of day – with your doctor. That funny rash that goes away, that cut you weren’t sure needed stitches or that mole you’ve been keeping an eye on.

(Unlikely to be a medical issue)

Smartphones and cameras are in our bags and wallets and people are using them!

The ABC recognises the medical selfie and here at PartridgeGP we see and take many medical photos.

There are many benefits:

We can clarify the lesion/area/rash of concern to You

We can document changes over time or with treatment

We can use the images to obtain a second or subspecialist opinion

We can use the images for teaching and training

Of course, we provide the same great high quality service for clinical photography as we do for all of the work in General Practice and so we are guided by information like this.

We also MUST get Your informed consent for all of this! We will ask You whether you are happy with clinical photography, and You can specifically consent to any or all of the above uses. No posting to Facebook!

PartridgeGP is proud to provide excellence in General Practice Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery – and great Clinical Photography is part of this. We look forward to helping you with regular skin checks and any treatment you may need. Book your skin check right here.

You can see any of our Great GPs right here:

Dr Gareth Boucher

Dr Penny Massy-Westropp

The Runner

Whether you’re already an experienced runner or a complete novice, setting goals — like running a half marathon — can provide the motivation to lace-up those runners each day. But when you’re tackling longer distances and putting your body under more strain than usual, it’s worth keeping in mind that checking in with your GP can ensure you reach the finish line injury free. “A GP might say, ‘let’s have a look at you, what’s your height and weight? Is your time frame realistic?” says Dr Tellis. “They might advise you to look out for shin splints, or what to do if you’re experiencing shortness of breath or chest pains.” And let’s be real, we’re not all just born with a runner’s physique. So if you are concerned about getting in better shape for the big race, it’s worth raising with your doctor. “For a half-marathon, we’d also be advising what you should be eating and drinking and how many calories you should be consuming on a daily basis,” Dr Tellis says.

The Soon-To-Be Traveller

Whether you’re planning a tour of Europe, a week partying in Bali or a volunteering trip to Africa, your GP can offer you a wealth of advice. That includes options for travel vaccinations, food safety measures to take abroad, and what to include in your first-aid kit. “I also recommend to everyone get the best travel insurance they can afford and to take a close look at the exclusions in there,” says Dr Tellis. “For example, if you go to Bali and get on a scooter after drinking beers, you may not be covered by travel insurance — the cost of medical repatriation from Bali to Australia could be as high as six figures.”

The Couple Planning A Family

You don’t need to wait until you fall pregnant for a trip to the GP — their advice can assist all couples with a healthy conception and pregnancy, by looking at your lifestyle and what might need changing from diet, to sleep, smoking, alcohol and drug consumption. “For women, you want to be taking vitamins with the right amount of folate. You want to be making sure your cervical screening (the new term for the old pap smear test), dental checks and rubella vaccination is up to date and that you’ve had your flu shot,” says Dr Tellis. “For guys, you want to be sure you’re not smoking dope or drinking too much, you want to be looking after your weight and your partner as well.”

The Exhausted Gym Rat/Bunny

What happens when you think you’re healthy — and hitting the gym regularly — but still feeling exhausted or in pain? A trip to the GP can help pinpoint the cause, and advise on how you can change your training regimen to avoid injury. “A lot of men will hit the gym and do things likely to cause an injury or problem down the track… or they’ll find that big guy at the gym who has some interesting pharmaceuticals of his own. Again, that’s something we can give advice on,” says Dr. Tellis. Meanwhile, women may be suffering from undiagnosed mineral deficiencies, leading to tiredness. “A lot of women can be iron deficient,” explains Dr Tellis, who says he’d ask: “How much sleep are you getting, what are you doing in the gym, is it sustainable to be working 50 hours a week and getting up at 5am daily for Crossfit? Is your thyroid okay, are you getting enough calories in?”

The Stressed Out Comfort Eater

When you’re working long hours and feeling stressed, it can be easy to find yourself regularly turning to unhealthy fast food lunches or indulging in sugar-filled snacks. While it may be something you feel reluctant to bring up, there are plenty of lifestyle suggestions, resources and referrals that a GP can provide, as well as simply lending a supportive ear. “Part of the skill of being a GP is picking your moments to start a conversation about delicate subjects. Some people come in ready to talk about their weight, some do not. I generally take a weight as part of my routine clinical review/examination, and discuss as I, and the patient, feel appropriate,” says Dr Tellis. He explains there are plenty of ways a GP could assist someone with issues stemming from stress and over eating. It may be a discussion about healthy diet — including good food choices, a better routine and when to eat — or stress management advice, and if necessary, a psychology or counselling referral. “What I would like to say as a doctor is that the door is open. Come in and say hello. You set the agenda as the patient.”