Perspectives

Recent cardiovascular outcome trials confirm the safety of DPP-4 inhibitors, but new questions emerge

Timothy M E Davis DPhil, FRCP, FRACP

Through our language, we are unthinkingly privileging doctors’ views over those of parents

Rosalind J McDougall BSc/BA(Hons), BPhil, PhD · Lynn Gillam BA(Hons), MA, PhD

While fee-for-service is still important, other more flexible forms of funding are needed

Liz Marles BMed(Hons), BSc(Hons), FRACGP

There is still no consensus about the VTE risk with newer contraceptive pills

Therese M Foran MB BS, MClinEd, FAChSHM

A well organised, rurally based intern program delivers high-quality training and diverse experience

John B Best AO, MD BS, PhD, DSc(Hon) · Shane L Boyer BHlthSc (Health Promotion) · Craig J De Lacy RN, RM, BN · Jacque S Phillips MPA · Terrence M Welch BAppSc(Nursing), MBA, GAICD · Geoff J McColl MB BS, PhD, FRACP

Adequately supervised oncology nurse practitioners may help meet the increasing need for cancer care

Samantha E Bowyer MB BCh, MRCP, FRACP · Deborah J Schofield BSpPath, GradDipCompSc, PhD

Better facility-based outcomes for mothers and newborns are within reach

Myrto M Schaefer MD, MSc · Alexandra L Brown BA

In an era of active health reform, what might we expect from the new Australian Government?

Christine C Bennett AO, MB BS, MPaed, FRACP

Universal advance care directives may not solve the current problems surrounding end-of-life discussions

Adrian M J Pokorny BMed

AMA president Steve Hambleton challenges doctors to accept that they have stewardship of the health system

Steven J Hambleton MB BS, FAMA

Similarity in functionality with partial foot and transtibial amputation focuses attention on complication rates

Michael P Dillon BP · Stefania Fatone BP · Meg E Morris BAppSc(Physio), PhD, FACP

A first step for a virtually unregulated industry

Bernard E Tuch FRACP, PhD, GAICD · Dominic M Wall BSc(Hons), FFSc(RCPA), PhD

For women getting breast implants in Australia or overseas, preoperative screening should be routine

Kathy L Flitcroft BBSc, MA, PhD · Andrew J Spillane MD, FRACS · Rebecca L Read MB BS, DPhil, FRACS

As the states maintain control over public hospitals, the federal government needs a simple, outcomes-based funding model

Johannes U Stoelwinder MD, FRACMA, FAFPHM

Waiving the requirement for participant consent in low-risk research may provide important community benefits

Ian N Olver MD, PhD, FRACP

A recent Senate Committee report makes for welcome reading for lesbian, gay and bisexual Australians

Jed Horner BA, BHSc(Hons) · Nick J Roberts BSc(Hons)Psych

Good health policy crosses multiple parliamentary terms, and acknowledges that there are no simple answers

Stephen J Duckett PhD, DSc, FASSA

Non-invasive prenatal testing heralds a new era in antenatal care

Stefan C Kane MB BS, BMedSc, FRANZCOG · Fabricio Da Silva Costa PhD, FRANZCOG, COGU · Shaun P Brennecke MB BS, DPhil, FRANZCOG

Australia lags behind other countries in developing a national policy framework for newborn screening

Susannah J Maxwell BSc, MPH · Peter O’Leary BSc, PhD

Appropriate guidance is lacking in long-term nutritional monitoring and support

John B Dixon MB BS, PhD, FRACGP

Most people don't know alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen. Is it time to update the public health message?

Jaklin A Eliott PhD, BA(Hons) · Emma R Miller PhD, MPH

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food could be a cause of chronic disease

John A Edgar BSc(Hons), PhD

Is the researcher held to a higher standard than the clinician?

Ian A Harris MB BS, MMed(ClinEpi), PhD · Justine M Naylor BAppSc(Phty), PhD

Smoking caused a million deaths in Australia in the past 6 decades; we are gradually winning, but the battle is not over

Mike Daube BA(Hons), HonDSci

A focus on overuse of psychotropic drugs in aged care facilities is too narrow and will not help solve overall problems

Jeffrey C L Looi MD, FRANZCP, AFRACMA · Stephen Macfarlane MB BS, MPM, FRANZCP