Recent specialist status has led Australian sports and exercise physicians receiving more referrals from GPs; MRI referral is also in the specialist’s scope of practice. However, at the same time as these physicians were recognized for having special expertise in exercise prescription — addressing the worlds biggest public health problem —  physical inactivity, patient rebates for the service was cut!

An umbrella body for Australian sport has expressed its concern over this paradox; local media have followed the story but the Minister for Health has not commented when this blog was posted.