Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Appropriate prescribing of azithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia.
Azithromycin is prescribed for atypical antimicrobial cover in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Inappropriate azithromycin administration incurs unnecessary financial costs, exacerbates antimicrobial resistance and risks QTc interval prolongation leading to cardiac arrhythmias. The present study demonstrated that a majority of patients were prescribed azithromycin without having electrocardiograms to assess the QTc interval and without meeting criteria for severe community-acquired pneumonia based on CURB-65 score.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
ICU trainee perception of end of life care provided during medical emergency team activation events.
Hospital medical emergency team (MET) activation events involving end-of-life care (EOLC) are common. The issues faced by medical staff attending these events are incompletely described. ⋯ Victorian intensive care trainees were confident managing EOLC MET activation events. However, distress was reported commonly and strategies are required to address the areas of concern.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The majority of the Australian public are willing to have a Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. It is unclear whether people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have the same attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. ⋯ Two-thirds of surveyed patients with IBD were willing to accept COVID-19 vaccine. Females and younger patients were less likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, as were those who had never had a discussion around vaccines.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
The AMA supports all doctors in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
This article outlines the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) current policy on voluntary assisted dying (VAD), arguing that, when read in good faith in its entirety as intended, the policy lacks neutrality or balance. As written, it is a wide-ranging policy reflecting the diversity of views among medical professionals that still exists on the issue of VAD. While recognising that relevant legislation is a matter for governments and society, the policy advocates for the protection of doctors and patients, whether they choose to participate in VAD or not. Consistent with a proper interpretation of the policy as a whole, the AMA has been active in supporting the VAD legislative process, implementation and the practitioners involved including providing practical guidance now that legislation has been passed in several jurisdictions.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Too much sugar does not just make us fat; it can also make us sick.
The post-COVID-19 care era is likely to see a burgeoning of metabolic dysfunction and chronic kidney disease. Attention to self-care, including nutrition, will underpin the management of those affected. The damaging effects of sugar-sweetened beverages are well documented and profound and counter many accepted medical treatments. Government leadership is urgently required with explicit and strong messaging to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.