Aust Fam Physician
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Biography Historical Article
Geoffrey Robert Gates, AM. Rural doctor to college president.
Geoffrey Gates' career in medicine has taken him from Hong Kong to semi-rural England and to rural Western Australia, where his work among the rural population and in medical politics earned him the Membership of the Order of Australia. He was Chairman of the RACGP during his 20 years of rural practice and after moving to Perth became President of the College. His special interests were rural medical practice, especially surgery, anaesthetics and obstetrics.
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Cricothyroidostomy may be a lifesaving procedure when endotracheal intubation is either contraindicated or is impossible as a result of the physical condition of the patient. Commercially available kits have simplified the procedure for the nonsurgeon in the pre-hospital setting.
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Ambulance officers are now highly trained professionals with a detailed knowledge of emergency medical conditions and trauma. The medical practitioner, however, should still be seen as the leader of the medical team, both in the field and in the supervision and development of an effective ambulance service. Patient care will be improved through the development of team work, which is a function of mutual respect dependent on understanding the other person's skills, abilities and responsibilities. This article contains an overview of the ambulance officer's skills and responsibilities.
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Ross River fever, or epidemic arthritis, is caused by the Ross River virus and usually mild and short-lived although persisting joint symptoms can develop. This article reviews the cause, diagnosis and treatment of this sometimes debilitating disease.