The New Zealand medical journal
-
The shortage of doctors in New Zealand, especially in regional and rural areas, together with the recognition that medical students need to learn in a variety of contexts has led to new learning environments being developed. This paper describes some of the key factors that have led to the successful implementation of year-long regional and rural clinical placements for medical students in New Zealand.
-
Placebo effects are accompanied by localised changes in brain physiology. Variation between individuals in the extent of a placebo effect is due to genetic variation in brain enzyme activity. Some of the effect of any active drug is a placebo effect, and this should be considered in the evaluation of overall action.
-
Abnormal discolouration of the urine is always alarming to the patient and intriguing to physicians. Green colouration in urine can be of endogenous or exogenous aetiology. ⋯ This case also highlights the importance of thorough history taking from the patient, especially diet and medications. Simple analysis in the clinical biochemistry laboratory can play a role in avoiding other expensive and unnecessary investigations.