Utilising patient feedback in the RACGP training program. An exploratory study.

The doctor-patient relationship is the hub of general practice. Today, there is an increasing use of patients in the evaluation of doctors' interpersonal skills. This paper reports on the findings of an exploratory study designed to investigate the feasibility of using patient feedback as an educational tool for GP trainees.

Cost-conservative dentistry: appropriate dentistry at lower cost.

Dental practitioners in both private and public dentistry are faced with patients who for reasons of public or private finance are not able to be treated with the most sophisticated available dentistry. A concept of appropriate dentistry is provided whereby, with reference to available literature, it is shown that cost-conservative treatment can be provided that is likely to be satisfactory to both the client and the practitioner.

Australia's environment and its influences on health.

While the Australian geographic environment is essentially benign, we have had a history of imported infectious diseases which requires continual surveillance to avoid recurring in this age of high international mobility. Urbanisation and an ageing population provide what is now a common picture of health care problems found in most Western societies. There is renewed emphasis on environmental health policy making and the development of stronger strategies of health conservation in the workplace. Many of these efforts have to cope with the difficult legislative arrangements relating to Federal and State jurisdictions.