KEY POINTS:
Welcome to this new regular medical blog which I will be writing for you. I aim to interest you with commentary on what's going on out there in the medical world, as well as informing you about numerous topics in perhaps a way you are not used to. I'm afraid I'm one of those workaholic people who likes to use all their skills, and that's why I'm writing for you now.
Shortly after starting in general practice on Auckland's North Shore more than 25 years ago, I developed an interest in stress as it became clear that the majority of illnesses are related to it. I also performed many years of comprehensive family care work - I delivered babies, dealt with all aspects of care including minor surgery, and even did terminal care.
I held several positions of responsibility within my profession including serving on the local branch of the NZ Medical Association and Chairperson of our local after hours medical service.
About 12 and 15 years into my general practice life, the interest in stress became personal when I twice experienced and recovered from burnout - the first time it happened , I didn't even know I was burnt out.
After the second, and stronger one, I decided I had to do things differently, or I would keep getting the same results. So I combined my study of stress with my interest in communications, and achieved qualifications in occupational medicine as well as training in professional speaking. I also have qualifications in Nutritional Medicine, a Diploma of Obstetrics, and am a Fellow of the Royal NZ College of GPs.
I am currently doing two overseas qualifications in Preventative and Regenerative Medicine.
My medical practice now involves second opinion and consulting work on stress, pain, fatigue, and complex conditions including hormonal and shift work-related problems. I take an holistic approach and use evidence-based natural and complementary therapies as well as lifestyle interventions where appropriate.
I have corporate and professional clients, and provide stress-related illness consultations to employers and their staff. I have also helped rehabilitate injury and pain patients for ACC.
As a professional speaker, I write and present my own workshops and seminars, discussing diet and lifestyle, stress management, natural, herbal and hormone therapies. I also present workshops related to stress, behaviour at work and management with an occupational health input .
I learnt to use Botox for facial pain conditions, and for the past six years, to balance my medical consulting and stress work, I have enjoyed practicing cosmetic and appearance medicine for balance. In my holistic medical clinic, I also offer holistic Appearance and Cosmetic medicine, and am assisted by my two nurses.
Despite my busy work life I enjoy educating the public about stress, life management and holistic health through my speaking, training and media work. I am the EasyMix Radio Doctor, and the resident health expert on TVNZ's Breakfast show. I also write for the beauty industry.
Because of my educational, training and media work, I am an avid reader of medical research, spending several hours every week studying, and reading the international medical literature to ensure that I've got it exactly right when I "put it out there".
I also attend many overseas and local conferences and workshops - anything that's relevant to illness prevention and holistic treatment of health problems.
As a result, you have someone who is right on the international pulse of research in health and disease treatment and prevention.
Visit me regularly here - I have strong views about some things and will not disappoint.
* For more in depth information about me, see my interview here.
- Dr Frances Pitsilis
drfrances.co.nz
