Perspectives

Spinal surgery for chronic low back pain is controversial, and the disproportionate number of fusions in private hospitals is unexplained

Leigh Atkinson FACS, FRCS, FAFRM · Andrew Zacest MB BS, FRACS, FFPMANZCA

It is time for a common vision and strategy for deploying Australian expertise to international public health emergencies

Alexander Rosewell PhD, MAppEpid, MIPH · Paul Effler MD, MPH, FAFPHM · Chaturangi Yapa BSc, MB ChB, MPhilApplEpid · Barbara Telfer MPH, GradDipAppEpid, BPhty · Jennie Musto MPH · Raina MacIntyre FRACP, FAFPHM, PhD

In addition to providing earlier access to more drugs, we need reform in how new cancer drugs are priced

Narcyz Ghinea BSc(Hons) · Wendy Lipworth MB BS, MSc, PhD

Australia needs new strategies for better asthma management

Tunn Ren Tay MB BS, MRCP · Michael J Abramson MB BS, PhD, FAFPHM · Mark Hew PhD, MScEBHC, FRACP

Alcohol tax reform would reduce harm and costs — and could fund major prevention and treatment programs

Mike Daube BA(Hons), HonDSci · Julia Stafford BPsych(Hons)

Increasing the minimum purchasing age may be the most straightforward way towards a tobacco-free generation

Roger S Magnusson BA LLB(Hons), PhD, GradDipManagingDevelopment

Stronger policy and a comprehensive approach to prevention is a good investment

A Rob Moodie MB BS, MPH · Penny Tolhurst BA(Hons), MPA · Jane E Martin BA(Hons), MPH

It would seem that integrative medicine is not more than promotion of unproven treatments

Edzard Ernst MD, PhD, FRCP

Encouraging patients to record consultation summaries may improve health outcomes

Kimberley Benson MB BS, BSc · Ralph Nanan DrMedHabil

Let’s invest in better services for high-risk communities rather than in more prisons

Anthea S Krieg BM BS, MPH · Jillian A Guthrie BA, MAppEpidemiol, PhD · Michael Herbert Levy MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM · Leonie Segal BEcon(Hons), MEcon, PhD

Lessons learned from the approach of three specialties to identifying their “top-five” low-value clinical practices

Jason Soon BEc(Hons), LLB · Rachelle Buchbinder MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP · Jacqui Close MD, FRCP, FRACP · Catherine Hill MD, MSc, FRACP · Simon Allan FRACP, FAChPM, FRCP · Caroline Turnour MIntPH, BA(Hons)

How can we respond more effectively?

Ian W Webster AO, MD, FRACP

Updated advice to be given by Triple Zero call-takers is being developed

Amy Kirwan BA(Hons), MSocSci, MSW · Michael Curtis BA, BSW(Hons) · Ingrid A van Beek MBA, FAFPHM, FAChAM · Kate Cantwell MEpi, PhD · Paul M Dietze PhD

Drug checking may need to play a part in future public health interventions

Robin J Butterfield MB BS, MRCA · Monica J Barratt BSc(Psych)(Hons), PhD · Nadine Ezard MB BS, PhD, FAChAM · Richard O Day MB BS (Hons), MD, FRACP

The TGA has changed naloxone scheduling to make it available over the counter

Simon R Lenton PhD, MPsych(Clin), BPsych · Paul M Dietze PhD · Marianne Jauncey BMed, MPH(Hons), FAFPHM

Not paying could harm patients, insurers and taxpayers

Christopher Davis MB ChB, MBA, FRACP

Regular consultant-led ward rounds can improve safety and outcomes

E Leslie Bokey MS, FRACS, FRCS(Hon) · Pierre H Chapuis DS, FRACS · Owen F Dent MA, PhD

Legislation and policy support step change for public services in tackling societal challenges sustainably

Ruth Hussey MB ChB, MSc, MD · Cathy Weatherup BA, CIM, MSc

Do we equip junior specialists with the skills to conduct research throughout their careers?

Sandra L Turner MB BS(Hons), FRANZCR · Tim Shaw BSc(Hons), PhD

We must ensure that people of refugee background have the confidence, support and resources to manage their health

Elisha Riggs BAppSc(Hons), PhD · Jane Yelland BAppSc, PhD · Philippa Duell-Piening BOccTher, BErgonomics, MIntCommunityDev · Stephanie J Brown BA(Hons), PhD

Increased treatment costs of bowel cancer are a stimulus for considerable effort in the areas of prevention and early detection

Terry D Bolin MD, FRACP, FRCP · Melvyn G Korman MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP · Fiona Nicholson MB BS, FRACP, PhD · Lynne Pezzullo BEc(Hons) · Jeffrey Engelman MB BS(Hons), MD, FRACP · Katherine Collings BScNutr(Hons), MScDiet · David Gilchrist Creelman BEc, BCom