Can J Emerg Med
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Comparative Study
Perceptions of graduates from Africa's first emergency medicine training program at the University of Cape Town/Stellenbosch University.
Africa's first postgraduate training program in emergency medicine (EM) was established at the University of Cape Town/Stellenbosch University (UCT/SUN) in 2004. This study of the UCT/SUN EM program investigated the backgrounds, perceptions, and experiences of its graduates. ⋯ The lessons identified from structured interviews with graduates from Africa's first EM training include the importance of strong clinical training, difficulty of ensuring bedside teaching in a new program, the necessity of ensuring postgraduation positions, and the need for academic training. These findings may be useful for other developing countries looking to start EM training programs.
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A 65-year-old diabetic female presented with a 3-week history of a left swollen foot after a minor inversion injury and was found to have a minimally displaced fibular fracture. Despite casting and strict instructions to remain non-weight bearing, the patient continued to bear weight and later developed a significantly more displaced fracture with a draining ulcer. This injury eventually required a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde hindfoot nail. ⋯ Although management remains controversial for neuropathic ankle fractures because both conservative and surgical treatment regimens have high complication rates, open reduction and internal fixation continues to be the treatment of choice once closed reduction has been attempted and fails. Education is essential because diabetic patients have compromised pain and pressure sensation, which can lead to injuries and subsequent complications of which they are simply unaware. Physicians must be diligent when evaluating the diabetic foot and be explicit when providing instructions to these patients because preventing these injuries and their complications is the best patient care available.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of advance directives among elderly patients attending an urban Canadian emergency department.
To date, there has been minimal research on advance directives (ADs) among elderly patients in Canadian emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADs among elderly patients visiting an urban ED. We also explored whether there were factors associated with the existence of an AD and possible barriers to having one. ⋯ Knowledge of ADs among elderly patients visiting an urban Canadian ED is limited and is likely a significant factor precluding wider prevalence of ADs. There is interest in further discussion about ADs in this population group.