Michael Tam

Dr Michael Tam is a clinical academic Specialist General Practitioner, combining the provision of family medicine, research, health services development, and governance. Michael’s clinical interest is in the whole-person primary care of people living with mental illness. He is actively involved in mental health policy, strategy, and governance, with local, state, and national bodies. Michael’s research is in integrated care and preventive care in general practice. He has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Most commented posts

  1. Incidence and progression of thyroid dysfunction in elderly — 2 comments
  2. Glucosamine and/or chondroitin for osteoarthritis — 2 comments
  3. N95 respirators vs surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory tract infections to staff in primary care — 1 comments
  4. Zinc for the common cold — 1 comments
  5. Daily aspirin on long-term risk of death due to cancer — 1 comments

Author's posts

Apr 16 2014

Diagnostic utility of rheumatoid factor in low risk population

Nishimura K, et al. Ann Intern Med 2007; 146(11): 797-808
There is no role for diagnostic rheumatoid factor (RF) testing in someone without inflammatory arthritis.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1619

Mar 14 2014

Mediterranean diets in type 2 diabetes

Ajala O, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2013; 97(3): 505-516
The Mediterranean diet appears to be as good as other diets at improving glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1610

Nov 08 2013

Are statins effective for primary prevention in people with low cardiovascular risk?

Tonelli M, et al. CMAJ 2011; 183(16): E1189-E1202
Statins appear to have a (small) cardiovascular benefit, even in individuals at low CVD risk.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1607

Sep 06 2013

Is folate effective for methotrexate side effects?

Shea B, et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD000951
Low dose folic acid (≤ 7 mg/week) substantially reduces the likelihood of certain side-effects of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1603

Jul 12 2013

Does zinc reduce the symptoms of the common cold?

Science M, Johnstone J, Roth DE, Guyatt G, Loeb M. CMAJ 2012; 184(10): E551-E561
Oral zinc reduces the duration of cold symptoms in adults, but at the cost of side-effects.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1599

May 24 2013

Is yoghurt helpful for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea?

Conway S, Hart A, Clark A, Harvey I. BJGP 2007; 57(545): 953-959
Yoghurt eaters in this study might have suffered less antibiotic-associated diarrhoea as compared to those who ate no yoghurt.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1595

Mar 15 2013

Do calcium supplements increase the risk of myocardial infarction?

Bolland M, et al. BMJ 2010; 341: c3691
Calcium supplements may increase the risk of myocardial infarction, but, there is substantial uncertainty in the estimate.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1592

Nov 23 2012

Is glucosamine effective for osteoarthritis pain?

Wandel S, Jüni P, Tendal B, et al. BMJ 2010; 341: c4675
Glucosamine does not appear to be effective for knee or hip osteoarthritis pain.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1588

Sep 28 2012

Can exercise be a treatment for depression?

Chalder M, et al. BMJ 2012; 344:e2758
Recommending structured moderate or vigorous exercise in addition to routine GP care is not effective for the treatment of depression.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1585

Aug 03 2012

Does warming LAs reduce the pain of injection?

Hogan ME, VanderVaart S, Perampaladas K, et al. Ann Emerg Med 2011 Jul; 58(1): 86-98.e1
Warming the local anaesthetic probably does reduce pain in general, but not by much in most individuals.

Permanent link to this article: https://evidencebasedmedicine.com.au/?p=1582

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