THE LiveWell Hervey Bay podcast recently sat down with Dr Nick Yim, Vice President of Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMA).
Dr Nick is not only the owner and GP for Torquay and Craignish Doctors, but also forms part of the Fraser Coast Medical Association and holds a position within the University of Queensland.
The focus of the podcast was around Dr Nick’s background and journey into medicine and the importance of preventative health care.
Dr Nick comes from a family of pharmacists and initially that was his career path.
“A group of friends suggested I take a medical exam to see if I could get in and here I am today,” Dr Nick explained.
“I was born in Brisbane and saw the opportunity 10 years ago to move to Hervey Bay.”
“I love fishing and K’Gari so I though why not give it a shot.”
“We took over Torquay and Craignish doctors a couple of years ago.”
“Our key goals are servicing the community and enhancing health care.”
“We have a great team of Clinicians, Nurses and Administration staff and hope to offer a seven-day practice in the future.”
“In healthcare, gone are the days of Clinicians working 80 to 100 hours per week because we acknowledge that burnout is a thing.”
“You will see many Clinicians, myself included working in practices but also taking on other roles.”
“I myself work with patients at Fraser Coast Hospice, Nursing Homes and work in Medical education.”
“We can’t be experts in everything but we do need new interests and new stimulations.”
A real trend across society is to be healthier and to live longer.
“For many years and still to this day many people seek a healthcare team reactively.”
“We are slowly seeing this change.” “Prevention is key and prevention is better than a cure.”
“It’s like your car, we take it to the mechanic to get those little checkups, the oil changed, tyres checked etc.”
“Obviously genetics have a role to play but your lifestyle can be a big contributor to your health down the track.”
“Stress is also a big factor, we are all getting busier, that’s the reality.”
“Financial stress and physical stress are contributing factors which then leads into mental health problems.”
Dr Nick touched on the current vaping trend sweeping through schools.
“Why was vaping initially produced and who is producing these products? And who’s benefiting from it?”
“From a medical perspective, vaping is not the first, it is not the second, nor is it the third line in for quitting cigarette.”
“There are many other strategies to quit cigarettes and vaping isn’t one of them.”
“We are seeing younger and younger people taking up vaping and becoming addicted to nicotine, and many of them have never smoked a cigarette.”
“More community and home education is needed.”
Although most don’t believe it, here on the Fraser Coast we have a first-class healthcare system, when compared with other regions across the world.
“Healthcare is relatively affordable.” “Our population has grown significantly over the past five years.”
“The great challenge that we do have is that of our health workforce, we’re short. Across the whole country, we’re short.”
“The issue is not the Emergency Department, it’s the Health System that has a flow on effect.”
“We do have top-notch specialists living and some visiting the Fraser Coast.”
"At the same time you may need to see someone publicly and make your way to Brisbane, although it might actually be more cost effective to see someone here privately.”
Where does Dr Nick Yim see himself moving forward?
“I want to get into more advocacy positions, not just locally but at a state level.”
“This year I hope to become the President of AMA Queensland.”
“I want to make some real change in my industry at scale.”
“But everyone needs some down time, so on Monday nights you will find me down the fields playing touch football.”
“Walking the dogs along the beach and also enjoying a bit of fishing.”
“Don’t look too far forward, be in the moment, value those memories and enjoy yourself.”
