Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · 5d

I've written about this before, and it's dispiriting to realise that Australia is going backward in mental health care investment, not forward.

Slow medicine and listening to the patient saves lives.
www.smh.com.au/national/slo...

Slow medicine and listening to the patient saves lives

The current system pays GPs the same amount for a consultation that lasts six minutes or 19 minutes, so there is a monetary incentive to keep it short and move on.

www.smh.com.au

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · 5d

So now we'll have a system that penalises longer consults AND no mental health items that subsidise a longer consultation.

Back to the bad old days?

Should I 'tick and flick' anyone who tells me they are contemplating suicide, or their child has an eating disorder, or discloses complex trauma?

1 1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · 5d

GPs who do thorough medical care, showing up for both mental health and physical health are *penalised* by the Australian Medicare system.

But this story buries the lede (completely): Mark Butler is killing off Mental Health item numbers for GP patients next month 🤯

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

GP says fees will go up at his clinic when bulk-billing incentives come in

An industry survey finds GPs are managing conditions typically handled by specialists due to high costs and only 12 per cent can afford to bulk-bill all patients.

www.abc.net.au

1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Sep 4

This is really sad, friends. Surely there must be a way to save it?

www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...

Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing

Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.

www.crikey.com.au

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Aug 2

Thank you @gingergorman. I appreciate your brave and thoughtful words.

The bullying and silencing (of brave souls who speak their conscience against violence and complicity) is ripping us apart. It's happening across all industries, including healthcare, and most stories never 'go public'.

Ginger Gorman @gingergorman.bsky.social · Aug 1

My family lost a baby at Auschwitz. I can’t see how our child is any different from those being killed in Gaza.

One of the most personal things I’ve ever written — about grief, conscience, and complicity.

Read: thebigsmoke.com.au/2025/08/01/g...

2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Jun 10

Loved this discussion exploring family secrets, which included my esteemed colleague
@ashleybarnwell.bsky.social

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

The truth behind family secrets - ABC listen

Two of the world's top models, Gigi and Bella Hadid, confirmed their family had been keeping a secret. The sisters revealed they have a younger half-sibling, after their father had a relationship with...

www.abc.net.au

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · May 31

Took a class of Narrative Medicine students to see this play, 'The Black Woman of Gippsland'. They loved every moment of this. The layered story. The fierce acting. The challenging of history. The incredible dance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@australia.theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

The Black Woman of Gippsland review – in the battle to tell Australia’s history, who gets to be believed?

Melbourne Theatre CompanyThere are some excellent performances and intriguing ideas in Sunshine Super Girl director Andrea James’ new work, but it lacks drama

www.theguardian.com

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · May 31

Oh. Thank you for sharing.

Reposted by Mariam Tokhi

Marjorie Cross @verycross.bsky.social · May 30

@mariamtokhi.bsky.social you need to know that a Palestinian colleague in the West Bank, a primary care doctor and a medical educator who is still doing all she can for her patients and students was immensely heartened by this when I shared. We are in contact often. She told me she needed this.

1 1 4

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · May 28

We cannot stay silent. 1000 of my Australian colleagues are calling for government action to end the loss of life in Palestine.

1 13 32

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · May 6

What would you add?

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · May 6

If politicians really want to be 'tough on crime':
- improve safe and stable housing access
- improve access to primary and mental health care
- support early childhood education
- support family planning and parenting

Policing is only the tip of the iceberg.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

New top cop Mike Bush to make significant changes to Victoria Police

Victoria's new police commissioner Mike Bush says he will focus on crime prevention and lifting officer morale.

www.abc.net.au

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 29

I remember the moment I realised that under Medicare I was being penalised for doing good Medicine, and patients were being punished for seeking it.

Thanks @gpswampwarrior.bsky.social for writing this.

www.medicalrepublic.com.au/medicare-mis...

Medicare misogyny, smoke and a lot of mirrors - Medical Republic

When Ged Kearney talks about the harms associated with defining the average patient as a white male, her government is doing the same with their modelling for GPs.

www.medicalrepublic.com.au

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 28

Wow. Curious to hear what GPs and patients think about this?👇🏾
@timsenior.bsky.social @kangaroobeach.bsky.social @lizsturgiss.bsky.social @karenmagraith.bsky.social
@brookmanknight.bsky.social
@racgp.bsky.social

www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Private equity-backed GP chain a winner from Labor health spending

The BGH Capital-owned medical centre operator ForHealth has been a big beneficiary of the government’s increased spending on Medicare and urgent care clinics.

www.afr.com

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 20

This is such important reporting, and such an important conversation.

Whose experiences are taken seriously? (In healthcare, in all institutions of care, in our families, in our communities...)

www.smh.com.au/national/a-w...

A woman thought she had a stalker. Authorities sent her to a psych ward

This masthead has uncovered a series of disturbing cases where women say they have been disbelieved, misdiagnosed, and wrongly admitted to mental health wards. Others have been told their pain is “all...

www.smh.com.au

3

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 17

There was so much energy and expertise in the room. I am truly grateful for the historians, researchers, students, clinicians, artists and writers who came & shared evidence, stories and dreams for a better systems of health, education and care. If you came, and you're here, please say Hi!

1

Reposted by Mariam Tokhi

Alicia King (she/her) @aliciajeanking.bsky.social · Apr 16

Had the opportunity to spend the day reflecting on the importance of stories in #clinicalpractice & #research at the #Narrative Meets #Medicine symposium.

And I've found my next podcast created by the Narrative Network. This episode features the day's hosts: blogs.unimelb.edu.au/narrative-ne...

Episode Fourteen: Narrative Medicine and the role of stories in health care with Mariam Tokhi and Fiona Reilly | Narrative Network

blogs.unimelb.edu.au

1 2 1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 17

I'm so glad you came! Looking forward to future collaborations.

1 1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 17

Our keynote speaker, Lynne Mijangos, a Fulbright Specialist in Narrative Medicine visiting from Columbia University, spoke of the importance of leaning in deeply to empathy, connection and listening in health, and shared a lifetime of bringing these skills to her patients and students.

Symposium Room at the University of Melb

1 1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Apr 17

Yesterday people commited to healthcare, story and creativity came together for Australia's first Narrative Medicine symposium, an enriching interdisciplinary collaboration with the Faculties of Arts and Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne.

flyer for symposium in Narrative Medicine

Dr Mariam Tokhi with microphone, sitting addressing room.

1 1 5

Reposted by Mariam Tokhi

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · Mar 27

An open letter to federal election candidates, on the importance of clean air - it comes as the @WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health is held this week in Colombia
www.croakey.org/an-open-lett...
#AusPol
#CleanAir

An open letter to federal election candidates, on the importance of clean air

Introduction by Croakey: The burning of fossil fuels is driving air pollution, which is estimated to kill an estimated seven

www.croakey.org

2 11

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Mar 24

"International humanitarian law in its current form cannot be relied upon... Medical associations and specialty societies must lead advocacy efforts to ensure that hospitals, health care workers, and patients are protected and not viewed as military targets."
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author...

1

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Mar 21

Well, this is a disappointing turn of events. What happened to reducing conflicts of interest, improving quality and real, multidisciplinary collaboration?
www.ama.com.au/qld/news/Pha...

Pharmacy prescribing made permanent without adequate evidence

The Queensland Government’s decision to make pharmacy prescribing ‘business as usual’ without evidence is disappointing and dangerous.

www.ama.com.au

1 2

Mariam Tokhi @mariamtokhi.bsky.social · Mar 13

Want a little taste of the work we are doing in Narrative Medicine?
Thanks #rcheducation for taking a leap with poetry and medicine in the same podcast!

Lmk if you listen ❤️
open.spotify.com/episode/7wNy...

Narrative Medicine - Part 1 – What stories shape your life?

The Education Hub - Teach Think Treat · Episode

open.spotify.com

3

Reposted by Mariam Tokhi

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · Mar 9

UPDATE—Mahmoud's attorney says they do NOT know where he is.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.

290 5.6K 11K