3 Reasons to Visit a Family Medicine Clinic

With the ever-growing popularity of medical clinics and a growing list of specialists for every conceivable ailment, the timeless utility of a family medicine clinic often gets overlooked. After all, prioritising regular check-ups is a sensible way to ensure lasting health for you and your loved ones. When compared to other clinics, family medical practices can offer a treasure trove of benefits.

So, why choose a family medicine clinic over a more expansive healthcare provider? Let’s delve into three compelling reasons why family medicine clinics should be your first choice for all-round health and wellness of you and your loved ones.

1. Strong Patient-Doctor Relationships

One of the notable reasons to opt for a family medicine centre is the opportunity to cultivate lasting relationships with your doctor. A warm greeting, a familiar smile, and engaging in casual conversations with your caregivers not only humanizes the clinical experience but also fosters trust and comfort. This sense of familiarity is invaluable, particularly for children who might be apprehensive about medical visits. When you’re at ease with your healthcare professionals, it becomes second nature to communicate openly about your health concerns.

Over time, these interactions transform from mere appointments into genuine catch-ups, facilitating a caring approach to healthcare where your doctor understands not just your medical history but also your personal context.

2. Long-term Care

Opting for a family medical clinic offers the advantage of comprehensive and continuous care. Your family doctor possesses a deep understanding of your medical history, as well as that of your close relatives. This interconnected knowledge provides them with a unique perspective, allowing them to discern patterns or hereditary conditions that might be overlooked in a more fragmented healthcare setting.

Moreover, the versatility of a family doctor is truly commendable. Whether you’re navigating the health challenges of middle age, stepping into the golden years, or seeking guidance for an aging parent, a family physician stands by your side throughout these diverse life stages. Their ability to treat a wide spectrum of conditions ensures that for most of your medical concerns, they can be your first point of contact.

In essence, by choosing a family medical clinic, you’re not just selecting a healthcare provider; you’re establishing a lifelong health partnership. This enduring relationship promises consistent care tailored to your evolving needs and circumstances.

3. Holistic Approach to Health

At the heart of family medicine clinics is a philosophy that goes beyond mere symptom treatment; it embraces a holistic view of health. Instead of zooming in on isolated issues, they well understand and value the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and even social facets of an individual’s well-being.

For instance, if you find yourself grappling with stress, its effects can ripple through various aspects of your life, from disrupted sleep patterns to unsettled digestion. Rather than simply offering a medication to alleviate a specific symptom, the general practitioner delves deeper. They seek to understand the intricate web of lifestyle choices, mental well-being, dietary routines, and more that culminate in your current health scenario. Such an all-encompassing approach ensures not just a temporary relief, but aims at truly resolving the underlying issues.

Clinics can further amplify their care by fostering collaboration with a broader spectrum of healthcare specialists, including dieticians, physical therapists, and mental health counselors. This multidisciplinary synergy ensures that patients don’t just receive care – they embark on a journey towards comprehensive well-being.

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, visiting a good family medical clinic is essential for the well-being of both you and your family. It can not only serve as a preventive measure but also as a touchpoint to understand your overall health.

If you haven’t already considered visiting a family health clinic or are looking for a reliable clinic for complete medical care, consider booking a date with us at Parkwood Green Medical. At the heart of our practice, we are committed to offering total patient-care for not just you but your loved ones and pride in fostering genuine relationships with our patients and their families. Book your appointment today.

Our skin is the largest and most neglected body organ. As a result, even severe illnesses associated to it, like skin cancer, don’t receive enough attention. One of the most prevalent illnesses in people’s lives today is skin cancer. In reality, skin cancer affects more individuals than all other cancers combined. Even though it’s practically impossible to stop every case of skin cancer, the good news is that routine skin checks can lower your risk of getting it. Likewise, it is of the utmost importance to receive regular skin cancer check from reputable, knowledgeable specialists like those at Parkwood Green Medical. If you’ve been hesitant about availing yourself of skin cancer check for any reason at all, here’s everything you need to know about skin cancer.

Skin cancer statistics in Australia

Before we dive into the specifics of skin cancer, let’s look at some statistics that will alter the way you think about getting frequent skin checks and the different skin cancer treatment options. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, making it a serious issue there. According to the reports at least 2 out of 3 Australians will have skin cancer before they are 70, and the number of diagnoses among people 60 and older is continually rising.

What are the causes?

Abnormal skin cell proliferation results in skin cancer. Australia has a high incidence of skin cancer due to its environment. The main risk factor for melanoma skin cancer is sunburn. To reduce the risk of skin cancer recurrence, you should be aware of the following additional prevalent causes of skin cancer:

✓ Have a lot of moles or freckles
✓ Has skin cancer run in your family?
✓ Easily get burned or have pale skin.
✓ Have light skin, blue or green eyes, or both, and work outside in the sun.
✓ Sunburnt in the past, but it was moderate.

Types of skin cancers:

There are three layers to the human skin, and cancer can attack any one of them. The layer that cancer has impacted determines how it is classified. Here’s a description in more detail:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Skin cancers of this kind spreads slowly, if it is discovered early enough, it can be treated effectively.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Skin cancer of this type frequently develops in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun the most. It spreads more quickly than basal cell carcinoma, which usually develops over several weeks or months.

Melanoma: Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, but fortunately, it’s also the least common, making up only around 2% of cases.

Importance of skin cancer check:

Early detection of skin cancer: Make sure you don’t ignore the early symptoms of skin cancer because it is one of the easiest tumours to treat if detected quickly. You should have a dermatologist perform a more thorough full-body examination in addition to routinely checking your skin. They keep track of any changes or new growths, freckles, and spots way better than you can. Due to their higher risk of contracting the disease, those with pale skin or a history of skin tumours may need to be examined more frequently.

A better understanding of your skin: Regular skin cancer checks have the additional benefit of being non-intrusive. After having a professional skin health check, you can confidently examine your skin because you will know what is normal for your skin.

Helps determine a plan of action: A medical practitioner can then advise you on how frequently to inspect your skin and whether any additional procedures are required. To choose the best course of treatment, they carefully examine your skin type, family history, and behavioural tendencies.

Aids in prevention: Dermatologists advise precautionary steps that can help you prevent skin cancer in the future, even if your skin does not exhibit any signs of skin cancer during the examination.

Skin checks are crucial, and it cannot be stressed enough. The main thing is to give your skin the attention it deserves. Make an appointment at Parkwood Green Medical as soon as possible if you have concerns about your skin, need guidance on how to better take care of it, or want to learn more about regular skin cancer checks.

Suffering from mental health issues but are hesitating to see a psychologist? Seeing a psychologist can provide numerous benefits for individuals seeking mental health support. By providing a safe and confidential environment, psychologists can help individuals address a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

Therapy can also provide guidance on personal and relational problems, facilitate personal growth and self-discovery, improve relationships and communication skills, and support individuals in managing difficult emotions and situations.

Not only that, therapy can play a crucial role in the recovery process from traumatic events and provide coping skills to manage challenging experiences. By addressing mental health concerns and promoting personal growth, therapy can enhance overall life satisfaction and improve the quality of life.

With that being said, here are eight tips you can use to get the most out of your appointment at a psychologist in Hillside:

1. Plan Ahead: Before your appointment, take some time to reflect on what you would like to achieve from your session. Write down any specific concerns or questions you have, and bring them with you to your appointment.

2. Be Open to Communication: During your session, be open and honest with your psychologist. Share your thoughts and feelings, and ask questions to clarify any misunderstandings.

3. Participate Often: To get the most out of your session, actively participate in the therapeutic process. Engage in the exercises and discussions your psychologist suggests, and take an active role in your own healing.

4. Stay Patient: It’s important to have realistic expectations about the therapeutic process. Change takes time, and progress may not always be linear. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to improve.

5. Have Faith: Trust is a key component of a successful therapeutic relationship. Trust your psychologist, and be open to their guidance and insights.

6. Don’t Miss Appointments: Regular therapy appointments can help you make progress and maintain your mental health. Attend your appointments consistently, and make a commitment to your therapy journey.

7. Stay Open to Feedback: Your psychologist may offer feedback and insights that challenge your current beliefs and behaviors. Be open to these suggestions, and consider incorporating them into your life.

8. Work On It: Finally, take action on the insights and strategies you gain from your therapy sessions. Incorporate them into your daily life, and continue to work on your mental health and well-being.

As you can tell, seeing a psychologist can provide the support, guidance, and tools individuals need to address their mental health, reach their full potential, and live a more fulfilling life.

With that said, if you’re looking for a psychologist in Hillside or nearby, we at Parkwood Green Medical can help. We provide a range of general practitioner services and can help you treat your common medical issue so you recover quicker and better. Book your appointment now.

Tired of meeting several doctors for everyday medical issues? It’s about time to have a family doctor take care of you and loved one’s health.

Your family doctor can be a lifesaver and prevent a potentially serious medical threat from emerging. By treating you and your whole family, your family doctor can help make the right diagnosis and closely examine you for any signs of danger during the screening.

If you’re still not sure whether a family doctor for annual checkups might be a good choice then think again! Here are some reasons why you should:

Long-term Support

Long-term support is one of the best and important reasons to have a family doctor.

Seeing the same person for a consultation is common for family physicians. This means, for many years or even decades family doctors check the same patients in a family.

Due to handling a wide range of ailments, they thus serve as your main care providers at any given time throughout your life. This also helps establish a long-lasting relationship with your family doctor.

Proactive Help

It’s no surprise family physicians try to stop health problems before they start.

Your family doctor in Hillside is not only a trustworthy source of information regarding your health, but also is familiar with you and your family’s healthcare needs.

Getting yourself checked at your family doctor can help in preventing health issues from arising in the first place and allow you and your family to take better health decisions. Not only that, visits to your family doctor can even help you meet your health goals if you find them challenging to implement.

Accurate Diagnostics

Doctors become familiar with your health records after treating you for a number of years. This enables them to provide accurate diagnoses, keep an eye out for medication warning signs, and track progress of your health over time.

In addition to providing a treatment plan for you and any other at-risk family members, family doctors also advise genetic counselling as a safety measure.

Helpful Referrals

General practitioners have contacts with other specialist doctors from their domain.

Whenever there is a need to find a specialist for a treatment, family dentists can help recommend the right doctor to meet your specific needs.

With a referral of a good doctor or specialist you can elevate your chances of recovery by a great deal.

Reduced Costs in Clinical Visits

What benefits greatly by having a family doctor for annual checkups is cost savings. It’s estimated that those who spend on primary care services save a lot more on their total healthcare expenditure.

Not only that, having a family doctor can even reduce hospital visits and emergency room admissions by a great deal.

As you can tell, there are several reasons to have a family doctor by your side. Friendly, caring, and proactive, they can be your best guide and help you address your everyday medical concerns with daily checkups, referrals, and diagnostics.

Need a family doctor in Hillside to take care of your family’s medical needs? We at Parkwood Green Medical can help. Reach out to our practice or simply get in touch over a call to book your appointment with our doctor now.

Planning to get the flu vaccine but have questions in mind? There are plenty of thoughts that can arise in the mind regarding the flu vaccine and make you hesitant.

However, getting your questions answered and understanding the importance of flu vaccine by an experienced GP or a medical practitioner is recommended and is a common practice.

Here are top 7 questions you should ask your practitioner when you visit them for the flu vaccine.

Who is the Best Candidate for the Flu Shot?

Since it is challenging to tell who can contract influenza, let alone who will get really ill from it, the Australian Government advises that everyone older than six months receive an annual flu shot.

It offers protection for those who are weak and unable to receive vaccinations, such as infants under six months old and adults with inadequate immunity.

Why Are Healthy Little Children Recommended a Flu Vaccine?

Infants and children under the age of five, particularly those without underlying medical issues, are more likely to develop a severe influenza infection that necessitates hospitalisation than those that have already received the flu vaccine for kids and adults.

In a diagnosis conducted, it was found that 1 in 200 kids had laboratory-confirmed influenza. Kids who were previously healthy may become quite ill and experience influenza-related complications like pneumonia as well as encephalitis.

Can I Get the Flu from the Flu Shot?

The influenza vaccines given in Australia are not active. This means that the live influenza virus is not present in them. While some people suffer the adverse effects of influenza shots that resemble the virus’s initial symptoms (such as fever, fatigue, and muscular pains), these conditions typically go away on their own.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that any side effects are an indication that the vaccine is working as intended and inducing an immunological response.

How Does the Flu Vaccine Function?

The working of the flu vaccine is pretty simple. When you receive a vaccination, a very little amount of a disease-causing organism or germ enters your body (often by injection or oral intake) and activates the production of antibodies by your immune system.

If you are exposed to this type of germ in the future, the antibodies will recognise it and be able to kill it.

Can One Get the Vaccine Twice in the Same Flu Season?

Most persons receiving more than one dose of the vaccine during the same flu season does not appear to have any benefits, according to studies. However, for some individuals, receiving two doses of the flu vaccine in one season is advised. These include youngsters under the age of nine who have never received a flu shot people who have undergone a stem cell or organ transplant and are getting their first flu shot. Travelers from abroad travelling to the northern hemisphere during the winter are considered.

Pregnant women, even if they had the previous season’s vaccine, may also receive the vaccine for the upcoming season if it becomes available in the latter stages of their pregnant.

If a Woman Gets Vaccine When Pregnant, Does Her Baby Still Need It?

It is advised for all expectant women to get the flu shot during their time of pregnancy. In the important first few months of life before they can receive the vaccine, some of the antibodies the body produces as a response to the vaccine then passes to the baby during a women’s pregnancy.

This helps protect the baby from influenza and gain maximum benefits of flu vaccination.

What’s the Ideal Time to Get the Flu Shot?

Flu season normally lasts from June till September in Australia, and peaks mostly in August.

It’s essential to understand that our immunity is best effective till the period of four months from the time we are vaccinated.

Looking for flu vaccine in or around Hillside, get in touch with us at Parkwood Green Medical and we’ll help you out with affordable flu vaccine costs. To book your appointment or for any assistance, get in touch today with our practice.

It goes without saying finding a general practitioner is essential to ensure your healthcare is in good hands. Whether you need to simply change your existing practitioner or need a new one, familiarising yourself with the best medical clinic in Hillside and around your area is thus essential.

If you’re tired of looking up “best GP doctors near me” here are a few things you can consider before finding the right practitioner.

Recommendations & Referrals

The first thing you can do before finding a family general practitioner is to look for recommendations. Try asking your friends or family about their general practitioner and if they can recommend you a reliable one.

Make sure the physician is highly-skilled, professional, and helpful. Also, see to it that the GP is recommended by people online, both on social media and web portals. A good recommendation will help you get an ideal practitioner to take care of your basic medical needs.

Expertise & Clinical Skills

Now that you’ve a list of recommended doctors, you can start by looking at their expertise. Every general practitioner possesses some type of clinical expertise such as children’s medicine, internal medicine, and general practice.

Based on your needs or the needs of the patient you’re searching a doctor for, choose the appropriate doctor. While doing so, don’t forget to look for the total years of experience they have in their field.

Certification

It is extremely crucial that the general practitioner clinic you’re choosing is well-certified. One way to do this is by check whether the practitioner is registered with the Medical Board of Australia.

Such registered doctors use best practices for treatment and stay on the verge of latest news and happenings in the field of medicine, which could mean overall better quality medical care.

You can also see if your doctor has obtained a GP fellowship and is a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).

Location & Accessibility

While making a shortlist, you’d also want a practitioner that’s located in close proximity to where you live or work. You’ll also want to see how long they operate, whether they’re available after hours, or are open during weekends.

Alongside location, see if you’re comfortable communicating with your practitioner. Make sure your doctor speaks a common language you and your family are able to understand.

Emergency Care Availability

Emergencies can come any minute, which is why it’s also crucial to see if your GP in Hillside provides prompt medical care in case you meet with one.

Some practices provide an outpatient emergency care facility to help patients treat serious medical disorders and accidental injuries. Check whether your doctor provides treatment and care during emergencies. An experienced doctor will also have nurses and medical staff to attend to your needs and recommend the right course of action for quick recovery.

No matter if you’re in need of a small practice or a bigger facility with a more experienced doctor, it’s essential to understand your needs and expectations before you look for a general practitioner.

With that said, if you’re looking for qualified general practitioners in Hillside or best GP near your area, we have you covered. Parkwood Green Medical clinic provides a range of medical services from wellness checks to routine screenings, consultations and more to help you recover faster and better. Book an appointment with our general practitioner today.

Our doctors at Parkwood Green Medical can help us choose the right foods for good and optimal health and to also reduce the risk of significant health problems.

If we are carrying extra weight, our doctors can provide you with a diet plan to help you lose weight. We can steer you towards the right direction by pointing out the foods with high nutrients and lower kilojoules. These choices are nutrient dense but less energy dense, both helpful for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

People who want to lose eight will also find our recommended information and advice useful when preparing meals and snacks. Not only is diet a factor in achieving weight loss, but maintaining a healthy weight with exercise is also important.

Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges confronting Australia’s health system. Around 1.7million Australians have diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition which can affect the entire body. This type of condition requires self-care on a daily basis and if complications arise, diabetes can have a significant impact on the quality of life. With a negative impact on health, it can even reduce life expectancy. Even though there is currently no cure for this disease, you can still an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and how to manage it effectively.

There are three types of diabetes to be aware of:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes

It is important to note that diabetes can affect anyone and it does not discriminate. It is a serious condition where a number of symptoms can occur which are often sudden and life-threatening. However, in type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, which is why it is important to consult with your doctor.

There are many people around the world with cancer and if we found the disease earlier, we could have saved countless of lives. Frustrating isn’t it? Cancer is one of the biggest challenges we face today with no real cure. From breast cancer to bladder cancer, to brain tumours… the list goes on.

Colon cancer is one of the types of cancers that take as long as 10 years to actually turn into cancer. Finding them before they fully develop can actually prevent the disease from developing.

For example, one recent study showed that colonoscopies could prevent colon cancer in about 40 percent of cases. However, up to 70 percent of people 50 years old and older don’t have colonoscopies. As you can tell, the numbers don’t add up.

The same is true for other types of diseases as well. When it comes to cancer, early detection is the best form of prevention. As a patient, you can take steps to help with the prevention.