Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2020
General practitioner-type patients in emergency departments in metro North Brisbane, Queensland: A multisite study.
To estimate the proportion of ED patients in urban Queensland who are potentially suitable for general practitioner (GP) care. ⋯ There is considerable variation in what is considered GP-type ED presentations based on the three methods employed and this variation may have fuelled the debate surrounding what is 'avoidable' ED utilisation. Regardless, the study findings provide an interesting addition to defining and addressing appropriate utilisation of ED services.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2020
Emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis in Australia, by jurisdiction and by sex, 2004-05 to 2016-17.
To examine trends in ED presentations with a mental health diagnosis (MHdx ) in Australia by jurisdiction and by sex, between 2004-05 and 2016-17. ⋯ The proportion of ED presentations for MH conditions, narrowly defined, has increased in all Australian jurisdictions between 2004-05 and 2016-17, but particularly since 2010-11. Differences between jurisdictions indicate jurisdictional specific issues. However, significant or upward trend of MHdx presentations across all jurisdictions indicates generic issues necessitating concern and policy development at a national level.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2020
ReviewReview article: A primer for clinical researchers in the emergency department: Part XI. Inertia before investigation: Pre-test probability in emergency medicine.
In this series, we address research topics in emergency medicine. Rational clinical decision making is based on knowledge of the disease prevalence, clinical assessment features and test characteristics such as sensitivity and specificity. The concept of pre-test probability is important as it will allow the clinician and patient decide together if a 'test threshold' or 'treatment threshold' has been reached, or if further investigations are required to make such a decision. This research primer uses three case scenarios to explore these concepts.
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Emerg Med Australas · Jun 2020
Observational StudyInforming diversion strategy: A comparison of parent and general practitioner-referred paediatric patients presenting to a metropolitan hospital.
To determine whether the characteristics and outcomes of parent-referred children differ substantially from general practitioner (GP)-referred children attending a metropolitan ED. ⋯ Children brought to ED directly by their parents or carers did not differ substantially from GP-referred children in their characteristics or outcomes. The use of referral source and triage categories to determine patient suitability for diversion to general practice may need to be reconsidered.