In brief: Endocrinologist ban extended for 4 years; Osteoporosis Australia name change; ESA Seminar 2021

Medicopolitical

17 Feb 2021

Endocrinologist loses appeal on deregistration

A former endocrinologist who was deregistered in 2015 on mental health grounds has lost her legal appeal to be reinstated, after a tribunal found she had refused treatment and still had little insight into her impairment. Dr Shaheen Qasim, who previously practised in northern NSW, had her appeal to the Medical Council of NSW dismissed and was prohibited by the Civil and Administrative Tribunal from making any further application for registration as a medical practitioner for four years. A psychiatric assessment found that Dr Qasim had not sought help for her longstanding psychosis and the impairment would pose a risk to patients.  The tribunal heard that she was still providing clinical advice to some people, despite her deregistration. Dr Qasim was first suspended from her practice in Kemspey after  the Medical Council received reports from five endocrinologists raising concerns about the stand of care she was providing.


Osteoporosis Australia rebranded

Osteoporosis Australia has been re-named as ‘Healthy Bones Australia’ to try improve public awareness about prevention.

Medical Director, Professor Peter Ebeling, a Melbourne endocrinologist, said the rising prevalence of osteoporosis and fracture rates meant it was important to have public health messaging about the importance of prioritising and maintaining healthy bones, especially for the two thirds of people over 50 who have risk factors.

“Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is vital to reducing fracture rates, and their subsequent impacts and costs. These osteoporotic fractures cost the Australian healthcare system more than $3 billion each year,”2 said Prof Ebeling.

“The renaming of our consumer organisation to ‘Healthy Bones Australia’ reflects our aim – to protect, build and support better bone health for all Australians,” Prof Ebeling said.


ESA Seminar to be virtual meeting in 2021

The annual Endocrine Society of Australia Seminar will be a virtual meeting  in 2021,  to be held over two days on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of May.  The program this year will include an update with a focus on pituitary diseases, with plenary speaker Prof Gudmundur Johannsson from Gothenburg, Sweden. Addressing the issue of adult growth hormone replacement. Other updates ill cover areas of thyroid nodules (TIRADS and Bethesda), hypothalamic amenorrhoea,  and obesity.

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