Postgraduate medical journal
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Collapse of a lobe of a lung is an important indicator of a range of conditions, including malignancy. Clinical symptoms and signs may suggest a diagnosis of lobar collapse; however, it is often diagnosed, and always needs to be confirmed, with radiological examination. ⋯ The basics of chest radiograph interpretation are reviewed, concentrating on the concepts of radiographic density and the silhouette sign. MDCT images are used to demonstrate the general radiological signs of collapse, and the signs of collapse that are specific to the different lobes of the lung are reviewed.
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Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions are recommended for the reduction of stroke risk in people who have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). This study aimed to investigate the quality of secondary stroke prevention in primary care following diagnosis of TIA in a specialist clinic. ⋯ Only a minority of TIA patients achieved RCP standards whereas QOF standards were generally well achieved. Substantial benefits in terms of stroke prevention stand to be gained if risk factors are managed in line with more stringent RCP standards.
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In the case of an emergency, fast and structured patient management is crucial for a patient's outcome. Every physician and graduate medical student should possess basic knowledge of emergency care and the skills to manage common emergencies. This study determines the effect of a simulation-based curriculum in emergency medicine on students' abilities to manage emergency situations. ⋯ The simulation-based intervention offers a positively evaluated possibility to enhance students' skills in recognising and handling emergencies. Additional studies are required to measure the long-term retention of the acquired skills, as well as the effect of training in healthcare professionals.