The New Zealand medical journal
-
No previous studies have systematically assessed the psychological functioning of medical students following a major disaster. ⋯ Around 10% of medical students experienced moderate-extreme psychological difficulties 7 months following the most severe earthquake on 22 February 2011. Specific groups at high risk for ongoing psychological symptomatology were able to be identified.
-
A 51-year-old man with multiple risk factors for ischaemic heart disease attended the emergency department (ED) with sudden-onset chest pain, dizziness and breathlessness. He was tachycardic but had normal heart sounds and normal QRS complexes on ECG. ⋯ Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed with excellent outcome. This case highlights the importance of early detection of cardiac tamponade as well as the role of bedside ultrasound in diagnosis and management of the condition.
-
Comparative Study Observational Study
Why do patients self-present to Middlemore Hospital Emergency Department?
To determine the drivers for acute (Australasian Triage Scale Category 3-5) demand in patients who self-present to New Zealand's Middlemore Hospital Emergency Department (MMH ED), we sought to establish a demographic profile of a sample of self-presenting patients and explore their reasons for presenting to ED rather than attending a primary care centre. ⋯ Almost 25% of self-presenting patients had contacted their GP or a health professional prior to their ED presentation and were advised to attend ED. The most common reason for patients to self-present at MMH ED is the belief that a hospital emergency department is the appropriate service to treat acute sickness. Neither cost nor knowledge of the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments Health Target featured as a reason for attendance.