Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
The unique COVID-19 experience in Western Australia: lessons learnt.
Western Australia (WA) was in a unique position to experience coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a highly vaccinated and geographically isolated population. ⋯ COVID-19 case numbers following WA state border opening were of lower care acuity and disease severity than predicted. Two-thirds of admissions were for other primary diagnoses, with incidental COVID detection. Hospital admissions were overrepresented by partially or unvaccinated patients and by ATSI Australians. An increase in social support along with general and geriatric medicine speciality input were required to treat hospitalised COVID-19 cases in the WA Omicron wave.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
Tuberculosis and Diabetes: increased hospitalisations and mortality associated with renal impairment.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) triples a person's risk of active tuberculosis (TB) and is associated with increased mortality. It is unclear whether diabetes status and/or the associated renal dysfunction is associated with poor TB outcomes in New Zealand, which has high diabetes screening. ⋯ Diabetes is associated with higher TB hospitalisation and mortality; however, this is likely mediated by increased age and chronic kidney disease.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2023
A retrospective analysis of the use of electronic consultation in general internal medicine.
General internists in Canada are subspecialty providers in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Electronic consultations (eConsult) allow primary care providers (PCPs) to virtually consult specialists to address clinical questions. There is a paucity of literature examining the utility and benefits of eConsults by general internists. ⋯ The majority of eConsults to general internists sought diagnostic clarification and confirmed the view of general internists as expert diagnosticians. eConsults cost less than an in-person consultation and were viewed favourably by PCPs. Further research can consider the eConsult provider experience and whether eConsults should become a required part of GIM ambulatory practice.