South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the main contributors to morbidity and mortality in South Africa (SA). Timeous intervention by means of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or fibrinolysis can significantly improve the outcome of STEMI. ⋯ Most patients received fibrinolysis >10 minutes after diagnosis, which indicates suboptimal therapy when compared with the ESC guidelines. Future studies should investigate the factors prolonging this therapeutic delay.
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Observational Study
A prospective observational study of developmental outcomes in survivors of neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in South Africa.
Neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (NHIE) is an important cause of long-term handicap in survivors. There is limited information on the burden of handicap from NHIE in sub-Saharan Africa. ⋯ Survivors of NHIE in SA are at risk of poor developmental outcomes.
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The recent amendment to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Form 57 MED allows specialist registration on publication of the compulsory MMed research assignment in an accredited journal. No data exist on the conversion rate of MMed dissertations to publication. ⋯ Conversion of the South African MMed dissertation into a journal-accredited scientific article was achieved in 60.3% of publication-ready-format submissions, suggesting that the HPCSA amendment facilitating specialist registration is attainable. Retrospective reviews of dissertations provide valuable insights to improve understanding of the contentious issue of the registrar research requirement that permits specialist registration.