Irish journal of medical science
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Audit is a recognised tool for evaluating the performance and improving the quality of health services. In Ireland and the UK, clear resources are available outlining audit elements. This study was undertaken to evaluate paediatric audits published from 2007 to 2020 to determine the adherence level to the definition of audit and to assess the quality of audit standards. ⋯ There is a mismatch between the common usage of the term audit, and the definition, despite its incorporation into training curricula and institutional support. Many articles published as audits do not adhere to the definition of audit. There are variable levels of evidence supporting the standards utilised in published true audits.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the traditional delivery of medical education. Medical education programmes have had to cope with limitations on face-to-face learning, and accelerate the adoption of digital learning. In addition, the pandemic has potential serious implications on the psychological well-being of medical students. We aim to assess the changes in perceptions and experiences of medical students as a consequence of this pandemic. ⋯ Digital content and delivery confer the benefit of greater flexibility in learning, the ability to learn at one's own pace and in a preferred environment, however lacks the advantage of bedside teaching and hands-on training. Our findings reinforce the potential advantages of online learning.
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The purpose of our study was to review a large cohort of athletes of all levels presenting with groin pain who underwent investigation with MRI and to determine what the commonest patterns of injury were. We aimed to explore whether particular findings were commonly found in association and whether measurable gender differences exist in the incidence of specific injuries. ⋯ Significant gender differences exist in the frequency with which specific injuries are observed. Female athletes are also significantly underrepresented; this is likely a multifactorial phenomenon; however, the possibility of unconscious referrer bias must be considered.
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative disease. In Ireland, clinical diagnostics and laboratory testing remain the responsibility of the managing clinician and the Neuropathology Department at the Beaumont Hospital, respectively. Centralized review of individual cases is not undertaken. ⋯ These findings support the need for improvements to the Irish National CJD Surveillance Unit to maximize antemortem diagnostic accuracy. On foot of this, a clinical CJD Multidisciplinary Team (CJD MDT) has been established to provide a second opinion on (i) the patient's clinical history, (ii) neuroradiology and (iii) and neurophysiology reports (where available).
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It is known that targeting cancer-related modifiable risk factors is the best way to fight cancer. Behavioral and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the burden of cancer. ⋯ People who have relatives with cancer had less modifiable risk factors, which might reflect on their willingness to modify their cancer-related risk factors.