This article, written by Sidhesh Phaldessai, provides an overview of geriatric psychopharmacology, including the epidemiology of mental health disorders in the older population, the physiological changes that occur with ageing and their impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the use of psychotropic medications in older adults
PATHA vision for transgender healthcare under the 2022 health reforms
PATHA vision for transgender healthcare under the 2022 health reforms
The healthcare system in New Zealand does not adequately meet the needs of transgender people, but the Ministry of Health has met with the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to find ways to improve the system. PATHA proposes improvements to transgender healthcare, including the creation of a new transgender health resourcing hub that
operates under a Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework, provides national coordination of a distributed model of care, and actively works to resource primary care and gender-affirming surgeries. The proposed changes aim to make healthcare for transgender people more equitable, accessible and cohesive by utilising peer health navigators, education and professional development, healing- focussed care, and transgender community leadership and accountability to make healthcare more equitable, accessible and cohesive for transgender people. The aim is to take the best practices from existing regional programs and implement them throughout the entire country.