Irish journal of medical science
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In recent years, telemedicine has been increasingly incorporated into medical practice, a process which has now been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As telemedicine continues to progress, it is necessary for medical institutions to incorporate telemedicine into their curricula, and to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to effectively carry out telemedicine consultations. The purposes of this study are to review the involvement of medical students with telemedicine and to determine both the benefits and the challenges experienced. ⋯ Challenges that students face, such as discomfort with carrying out telemedicine consults and building rapport with patients, may be addressed through the incorporation of telemedicine teaching into the medical curricula through experiential learning. However, other more systemic challenges, such as technical difficulties and cost, need to be examined for the full benefits of telemedicine to be realized. Telemedicine is here to stay and has proven its worth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with medical students embracing its potential in assisting in medical clinics, simulation of clinical placements, and online classrooms.
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Review Case Reports
Gone in 60 days: our first experience with a bioconvertible IVC filter.
The Sentry bioconvertible IVC filter (Boston Scientific, MA, USA) contains a bioabsorbable filament which hydrolyses after 60 days, allowing the arms of the filter to spring open, retract into the vessel wall and endothelialise, leaving an unobstructed IVC lumen. It is a novel treatment option for patients at transient risk of pulmonary emboli with a contraindication to anticoagulation. The device provides similar protection to other currently available devices against pulmonary emboli with minimal complications. ⋯ We review the literature which underpins the development of the bioconvertible filter. We describe our first deployment of the filter in an 85-year-old female with gastric malignancy (who subsequently underwent a subtotal gastrectomy) with a history of anaemia and previous pulmonary emboli. The availability of a bioconvertible filter constitutes a further step forward in the management of patients with potential or active thromboembolic disease.
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Torus fractures, also known as buckle fractures, of the distal radius are a very common reason for presentation to emergency departments. Traditional approaches to their management involved immobilisation in a circumferential cast but the evidence now supports the use of removable splints with or without radiological and clinical follow-up. Unfortunately current practice conflicts with the evidence base and there is no guideline which highlights all the evidence as one clear, concise management protocol. ⋯ Current research indicates that torus fractures should be managed with a removable splint supplied in A&E and worn for 3 weeks. There is no need for fracture clinic follow-up or repeat radiological imaging once patients are given adequate information at the time of diagnosis. This would represent both an economical and resource saving for patients, parents and the health service.
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Torus fractures, also known as buckle fractures, of the distal radius are a very common reason for presentation to emergency departments. Traditional approaches to their management involved immobilisation in a circumferential cast but the evidence now supports the use of removable splints with or without radiological and clinical follow-up. Unfortunately current practice conflicts with the evidence base and there is no guideline which highlights all the evidence as one clear, concise management protocol. ⋯ Current research indicates that torus fractures should be managed with a removable splint supplied in A&E and worn for 3 weeks. There is no need for fracture clinic follow-up or repeat radiological imaging once patients are given adequate information at the time of diagnosis. This would represent both an economical and resource saving for patients, parents and the health service.