Dr Chris Smith
greenslopesprivate.com.au | 9
A Greenslopes Private Hospital registrar is investigating
the cause of elevated platelet counts in patients, and
trying to develop a model to reduce the need for
expensive and invasive tests.
Dr Nathan Klose, who was recently
named the hospital’s registrar of the
year, has received a Royal Australasian
College of Physicians’ trainee research
in recognition of his project.
The research project investigated
“thrombocytosis” – an abnormal
elevation in the number of platelets,
which are the principle blood cells
responsible for stopping bleeding and
strengthening blood clots. This common
problem may cause risks for patients or
require investigation or treatment by a
clinical haematologist.
Dr Klose conducted the research with
Dr Stephen Boyle (also previously an
advanced trainee in haematology at
GPH) and under the supervision of
Dr Johan Niemann. He also received
support from his GPH educational
supervisors Dr Tony Mills and
Dr Emad Abro.
“I hope I have inspired some junior
doctors to get involved in early career
research and see how they might make
a difference for our patients – there are
many opportunities available at GPH,”
Dr Klose said.
Dr Klose said working at Greenslopes
Private Hospital has provided him with
a unique training experience supported
by one-on-one clinical teaching with
highly qualified haematologists.
“The opportunity to enter in to the
specialists’ care has allowed incredible
insights into nuanced, patient-centred
clinical decision making,” Dr Klose said.
He also acknowledged the excellent
team of experienced haematology,
oncology and apheresis nurses who
provide another invaluable source of
education and support.
“I have been impressed with the culture
of continuing medical education at GPH
and grateful for opportunities available
to continue teaching UQ MD students at
GPH clinical school, run intern education
sessions, and present my research at
local and national meetings.”
Registrar sets sights
on platelet research
Dr Nathan Klose
Cardiothoracic surgeon flies
high for patients in rural areas
Dr Chris Smith doesn’t have a lot of spare time on
his hands. The specialist works full-time as a
cardiothoracic surgeon at Greenslopes Private Hospital.
But when he’s not caring for patients on
land, he’s looking after them in the sky.
Dr Smith started volunteering as an
Angel Flight pilot in 2018. The charity
was established by businessman Bill
Bristow in 2003 to help people in rural
and remote areas access medical care.
Qualified pilots use their own or hired
planes to fly patients to chemotherapy
and other appointments. Dr Smith
said it enabled him to give back to the
community in a different way to surgery,
while also incorporating his love of flying.
“My dad was the anesthetist for the
Flying Surgeon Service in Longreach in
1965,” he said. “I grew up with flying in
my blood.”
Dr Smith learned to fly in year 12 while he
was completing his final year of school.
“It’s something that I’ve always loved.
When I left school I thought ‘I should study
medicine or become a pilot’,” he said.
Now, he gets to do both.
Dr Smith, who has been at Greenslopes
Private Hospital for 15 years, said his
Angel Flight work gave him a reason to
fly and also acted as a stress release.
“People who take Angel Flight don’t
know I’m a doctor, they just think I’m their
pilot,” he said. “I get to interact with them
in a different way.”
Dr Smith said the benefits of the
volunteer-based organisation, which is
free for patients, were enormous.
“Last year I collected someone from
Blackall, near Longreach, who was
coming to Toowoomba for chemotherapy
treatment. It would’ve been a 10 or
11-hour drive, but it was only an hour and
40 minutes in the plane. It’s a nice thing
to do for people.”
Dr Smith said as a doctor he was acutely
aware of the difficulties distance posed
to Australians who needed help.
“I’ve also got quite a few friends who
live in rural areas in Queensland and so
I have an appreciation for how difficult
it is for them to get medical assistance,”
he said.