Dengue – don’t just blame the primary care doctors
Do not blame the doctor for dengue
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) would like to issue the following comments in response to the comments from the Malaysian heath minister on Jan 28, 2015 that private doctors fail to detect symptoms of dengue early.
Our members in general practitioner (GP) and family clinics have noted increasing number of dengue cases presenting with differing clinical patterns since the year 2000. Our doctors have been on unrelenting high alert for dengue cases since the year 2000.
It should be clearly stated that existing commercially available test kit...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 30, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation dengue Source Type: blogs
The cost of studying medicine
Just take a look at this example of studying medicine in a private medical school (in this case IMU)
If you study locally – almost half a million ringgit
If you choose to complete it abroad – almost a million ringgit
When you start work, your salary will only be a few thousand ringgit. Unless you have a scholarship (including parental ones which must have deep pockets), you will be in debt for a long long time.
Financially it is worth it?
Don’t study medicine if you think it’s a path to riches. There are other careers. Medicine is only for those who truly want to be doctors and have the passion to...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 22, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Education Medical school medicine Source Type: blogs
Feedback : Beware of Suspect Medicines
LV writes in
Dear MMR,
I am a medical student studying at The University of Sydney, Australia. My brother is using the medicinal product made in Malaysia called Kian Pee Wan, until we read on your site that Kian Pee Wan is
adulterated with scheduled poison. We are currently very confused and worried about this… Could you please indicate the name of the poisonous substance in Kian Pee Wan, please? Thank you so much.
Hi LV
I believe you are referring to this 2007 article Beware of suspect medicines which mentioned:
The official also warned the public against taking several herbal preparations that had been adulterated...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 21, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - CAM watch - Feedback Chinese Herbs TCM Source Type: blogs
Portable pulse oximeter – doctors special price
Dear Doctors,
We have been offered a special price for the above portable finger pulse oximeter (not the Nellcor!). You can now order one for only RM 90 (usual RRP is RM 111) and this is inclusive of shipping to anywhere in Malaysia plus one year warranty from the supplier.
The device was reviewed here: Review: Portable Pulse Oximeter
For further details on how to get this special deal, please see this thread in the Dobbs forum.
Rgds
Palmdoc
PS If you are a Malaysian doctor but not yet a member of Dobbs, do note that membership is free provided you are a bonafide qualified Malaysian doctor.
Instructions on how to join Dobb...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 16, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - General Pulse oximeter Source Type: blogs
Calling all Malaysian doctors
Our Malaysian doctors community, DOBBS (which stands for Doctors Only Bulletin Board System) comprises about 2500 doctors and the number is steadily growing.
If you are not part of Dobbs, you are most welcome to join and membership is completely free.
We have designed a lightweight (quick to load even on mobiles) and easy to remember landing page.
To visit Dobbs, all you have to do is to go to: http://dobbs.my
The instructions on how to register and join Dobbs are at the bottom of the landing page.
See you there! (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 14, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Dobbs Source Type: blogs
An open letter to all first year house officers
via Dr. Eve Teo in the Dobbs Forum
Hi there Doctor,
Yes you. Not your registrar. Not your boss. Stop looking over your shoulder, you’re a Doctor now. Straighten your stethoscope and listen to a slightly more jaded junior doctor. Please.
If I can math correctly sleep deprived, you’re about 8 weeks in, yes? So whoever you are, you will have done long days, you will have done weekends.
You will have been exhausted and survived. Congratulations. (A bonus if all your patients have, sometimes shit happens. )
I hope you’ve felt proud of your admissions and plans. Even if they’re not remotely perfect. It’s not easy work,...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 12, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Guest - Inspiring Source Type: blogs
Doctor’s Right to Dispense Medicine
Conclusion:
What the pharmacists need is to have a representative who can work with MMA to come to a solution. Antagonistic approach as seen in the past will not solve the problem. The problem should be discussed in an intelligent manner considering all the aspects that will affect the two professions as well as the consumers. Even at the present moment, most doctors will not mind sharing dispensing with the pharmacists. This will also save them from storing too many different drugs and will give the pharmacists some share in managing their patients but the pharmacists must stand on the right grounds and perspective. The t...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 11, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Guest - Nation Dispensing Pharmacists Source Type: blogs
Review: Portable Pulse Oximeter
Conclusions
Pros
– excellent value for money
– very nice OLED colour display
– highly portable
– built in plethysmograhic display which helps tell you accuracy of the reading
Cons
– requires careful positioning of the finger in the probe
– may be slightly under reading the SpO2
For more information on Pulse Oximtery, the uses, pitfalls or sources of error, this link is pretty informative from Patient.co.uk: Pulse Oximetry
You can purchase the device online from Avivac Global Venture from their store in Lelong
Disclaimer:
This review was made independently and not a paid review. Avivac G...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 11, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Reviews Oxygen Pulse oximeter Source Type: blogs
Is Malaysia ready for separation of dispensing? (II)
In our earlier post Is Malaysia ready for separation of dispensing?, we pointed out the reasons why Malaysia is not ready for separation of dispensing (SOD), a scenario where doctors only prescribe and pharmacists dispense. However we hear rumblings of an impending tabling of a new Pharmacy Bill in Parliament. We do not know if the SOD agenda will be pushed but if so it will be of major repercussion to the health care system in Malaysia.
What can you do? If you are a consumer and are against the idea of SOD, then you can sign the petition here:
If you are a GP, then you would want to be kept up to date on the issue of sep...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation Dispensing Pharmacies Source Type: blogs
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
We would like to wish all Christian readers a Merry Christmas and to all Malaysians happy holidays and a great year ahead! (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 24, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - General Source Type: blogs
Is Malaysia ready for separation of dispensing?
Discussion on Separation of Dispensing in the DOBBS Doctors forum
Please note that Dobbs forums discussions are available only to logged in Dobbs members. Membership is FREE for all Malaysian doctors and done in two easy steps
1) Register at http://dobbs.my/daftar
– automatic signup and activation link will be sent via email
2) After activating, do LOGIN and VERIFY as a doctor here:
http://dobbs.my/verify (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 22, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation Dispensing Drugs Pharmacists Pharmacy Source Type: blogs
GST is coming – Dummies guide to registering for doctors
While pure healthcare services e.g. doctors consultation are supposed to be GST exempt, it seems in their way of interpreting things, the Customs of Malaysia are quite adamant that while healthcare delivered by a doctor who works in his clinic is GST exempt, the same doctor who provides healthcare services in a private hospital is NOT GST exempt. The reason is Customs is adamant that the specialist is performing an “outsourced” service for the hospital. The hospital is then imposed a GST charge for this service. The patient will not be charged GST directly but you can bet the hospital will try to find a way to ...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 19, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation GST Source Type: blogs
How to choose your specialty
In case you are undecided or confused, this algorithm will help you! (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 6, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Humour specialty Source Type: blogs
Healthcare should be GST-exempt as promised in 2013
Right now there is some deliberation on what is GST exempt and what is not e.g. certain drugs. All this will have severe repercussions for the rakyat come 2015 when GST is immplemented. Things as it stands does not look good. No matter how you spin it, it appears that the cost of healthcare will go up. Some of the points below have yet to be decided and are still being negotiated. While there is some hope, we can only say to the rakyat, brace yourselves.
Media statement by FPMPAM President Dr. Steven Chow (via hotm)
Healthcare should be GST-exempt as promised in 2013
Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 2014 – In response to the st...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - November 28, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation GST Source Type: blogs
Guide to GST for Healthcare Services (updated)
This is the latest version of the GST guide, dated 16 November
For further discussion on GST in the Malaysian doctors’ forum, Dobbs, see:
GST is no cup of tea for patients and doctors
GST is coming
There is apparently a high level meeting today, initiated by the APHM with MOF/Customs and attended by MMA and other stakeholders. For the latest updates do follow us in the forum threads above.
For Malaysian doctors who are not members of Dobbs, register and join for free (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - November 24, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation GST Source Type: blogs
