Articles: emergency-medicine.
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Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) have been shown to experience disparities in emergency department (ED) care. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between LEP and irregular ED departures and return ED visits. ⋯ After multivariable adjustment, we did not find an increased frequency of irregular ED departures or 72-h or 7-day returns among patients with LEP compared with people proficient in English. However, we did find that higher proportions of patients with LEP were admitted to the hospital at the time of the return ED visit.
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Magical thinking is a cognitive process characterized by beliefs in supernatural causality and the power of rituals. Grounded in personal convictions rather than objective reality, it involves subjective beliefs rather than magic tricks. Magical thinking's effects range from potentially positive, such as bringing hope and comfort, to negative consequences, including delays in seeking appropriate medical care and refusing evidence-based treatments. ⋯ For physicians and other EM professionals, addressing magical thinking requires cultural competence and empathetic engagement. Active listening and shared decision-making are essential to promote positive patient outcomes. By recognizing and understanding magical thinking and fostering effective communication, EPs can navigate the delicate balance of addressing patients' beliefs while delivering evidence-based care.
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ACEM has endorsed the proposal for an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament in Australia as a means of delivering its objectives to provide culturally safe care in EDs and to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Unfortunately the Voice proposal has become a politically conentious issue. ⋯ This article argues that the claims in the ACEM statement are speculative rather than based on facts. In addition, by taking a position on this complex and controversial political matter ACEM is operating beyond its remit and risks distracting attention from its core mission.