Singap Med J
-
A bibliographic database is an organised digital collection of references to published literature. A bibliographic database may be general in scope or may cover a specific academic discipline. ⋯ They cover biomedical and scientific literature, morbidity and mortality statistics, therapeutic regimens, medical records, images and reviews of evidence-based medicine. Getting to know these databases will help researchers and authors to enhance their writing and publishing endeavours.
-
Communication between medical specialists and primary care providers in the community plays a pertinent role in patient care and doctor education. Referral and reply letters are the most common means by which doctors exchange information. Much of clinician time is spent writing letters, but the information or the format in which the letter is written may not meet the needs of the recipient. This study aimed to determine the type of reply letter preferred by general practitioners (GPs) and as such, attempts to improve communication between doctors as part of a quality assurance survey. ⋯ Our study shows that there is a preference for diagnosis and treatment plan to be presented in a summary style report rather than as free text. A structured format for reply letters, including the use of headings, allows readers to easily identify the information desired and thus improves the quality of correspondence between specialists and GPs.
-
This study assessed the information needs, preferred educational messages and channels of delivery, as well as opinions on strategies to promote organ donation. It aimed to provide insight into a culturally sensitive public education campaign to encourage organ donation in diverse ethnic communities in Asia, namely the Malays, Chinese and Indians. ⋯ The pronounced ethnic differences in information needs suggest that culturally sensitive public educational messages are required. Organ donation and transplantation organisations should work closely with community and religious organisations to address the sociocultural barriers identified.
-
Knowledge of blood usage patterns helps to address major issues such as the management of massive transfusion events, minimisation of transfusion risks, as well as in dealing with blood shortages. The aim of our study was to audit blood component usage at a Level I trauma centre blood bank. ⋯ The rate of transfusion of trauma patients was high (94 percent). Using the C:T ratio as a marker, optimal blood utilisation was noted in all departments. The methods of reporting transfusion reactions need to be revised. Future studies on the appropriateness of blood use and blood ordering schedules are required.
-
Case Reports
Spontaneous resolution of sinoatrial exit block and atrioventricular dissociation in a child with dengue fever.
Cardiac rhythm abnormalities, including ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular block, have been observed during the acute stage of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Atrioventricular or complete heart block can be fatal and may require a temporary pacemaker. We report a ten-year-old girl who presented with dengue haemorrhagic fever with sinoatrial block and atrioventricular dissociation that had a spontaneous resolution.