Frank Oberklaid is a paediatrician. He sees patients, one by one, in a hospital. He is also an international expert on place. Why would a see-them-one-at-a-time clinician be interested in place?
The conversation in the podcast is far ranging, but there is one moment, early on, that should not be lost. Frank got interested in place because it is such a strong predictor of disadvantage. Some parts of Australia harbour more need than others, some communities in his home city of Melbourne are home to more children with health needs than others.
Can we, he asks, use data to identify those communities, and to work out how changes in local conditions might reduce the need to see a doctor?
Listen here to the podcast.