Internal medicine journal
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Schizophrenia is the most common of a group of psychotic disorders that occur in approximately 3% of the population over the lifespan. It has clear genetic antecedents, which are shared across the spectrum of psychotic disorders; however, a range of other biological and social factors influence the onset and treatment of the disorder. Schizophrenia is diagnosed by a characteristic set of symptoms (positive, negative, disorganisation, cognitive and affective) accompanied by a functional decline. ⋯ Treatment requires a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Physical health is poor in this group of people and this is not helped by inconsistent care from health services. Although earlier intervention has improved the immediate outcomes, the longer-term outcome has not significantly shifted.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on body weight in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
A series of studies has reported weight gain in association with COVID-19 lockdowns; typically, this research has had short-term follow-up in populations that tended to gain weight. In this study, the effect of prolonged lockdowns on weight was assessed in a population of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Before lockdown subjects gained an average of 0.022 kg per month; after lockdown this trend reversed with subjects losing weight at 0.032 kg per month, a trend that was highly significant (P < 0.001).
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Multicenter StudyFamily satisfaction with ICU communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective multi-centre Australian study.
Virtual communication has become common practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of visitation restrictions. ⋯ There was low overall family satisfaction with ICU care and virtual communication strategies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts should be targeted for improving factors with virtual communication that cause low family satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2023
Comment ReviewA scoping review of patient-led teaching of health professions students.
Patients with chronic health conditions may become experts in their own conditions. Thus, utilising patients as teachers, with autonomy over taught content, may better prepare students to deliver patient-centred care. ⋯ Patient teacher programmes range from single, short 1- to 2-h tutorials to longitudinal community-based programmes. These programmes are mutually beneficial for students, improving awareness of all patient-centred domains, and patients feel empowered by their roles in education.