The New Zealand medical journal
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To examine the education and service roles of trainee interns in New Zealand. ⋯ Trainee interns are working many hours, providing valuable service work in New Zealand hospitals. The majority of teaching is practical, on the wards, from registrars and house surgeons. Debt affects a substantial number. Electives are a valuable part of the trainee intern course.
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To compare the characteristics of sore throat patients with their having normal throat, to measure the incidence of beta-haemolytic streptococcal growth in both groups, and to determine the clinical outcomes of treating sore throat patients without the aid of a throat swab. ⋯ Research is needed to develop guidelines for the management of sore throats in general practice.
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To describe the use of hormonal contraceptives in institutionalised women with psychiatric and/or intellectual disabilities. ⋯ Improvements in reproductive health care for these women are needed, in particular attention to education and client participation in decisions about contraceptive treatment. It is suggested that gynaecological and family planning services be provided separately from psychiatric services.
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This study was undertaken to identify the reasons for unscheduled return visits to an urban emergency department, particularly those relating to physician errors in diagnosis and management, and, where possible, to identify strategies to reduce unscheduled return visits. ⋯ Significant physician errors were a minor reason for reattendance at the emergency department and no specific areas of deficiency were identified. These might be further reduced by increasing the seniority and experience of staff and by the introduction of regular audit, continuing medical education and vocational training programmes. Interventions to reduce patient related unscheduled return visits might include better explanation of the role of the emergency department and better communication with patients about their illness and treatment.