Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Review Meta AnalysisReview article: Electronic screening and brief intervention for alcohol-related trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (e-SBI) in changing or reducing alcohol consumption and/or related risk behaviours among trauma patients compared to standard of care. Following Cochrane Collaboration's guidelines and PRISMA recommendations, a search of electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature (Google Scholar) was conducted. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from 1995 to 2023 were included, focusing on e-SBI for alcohol misuse in trauma patients. ⋯ However, uncertainties and methodological variations highlight the need for standardised outcome measurements, consistent reporting and further exploration of e-SBI's long-term impact. Relevance to health promotion: Understanding the effectiveness of e-SBI in managing alcohol-related issues among trauma patients is crucial for health promotion. Despite uncertainties, the findings underscore the potential of e-SBI as a scalable and accessible intervention. e-SBI in the setting of the present study, emphasises the importance of tailored approaches in public health strategies.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
ReviewReview article: Somatization Disorders in emergency department: A critical overview of current challenges and future directions.
Individuals with Somatization Disorders present frequently to the ED with non-cardiac chest pain, non-specific abdominal pain, headaches and a range of other non-specific symptoms. Somatization Disorder presentations are ubiquitous within the healthcare system. ⋯ The current review explores the scope of the problem and, the challenges inherent in diagnosing and treating these disorders in ED environments. Based on available evidence and the essential character of these disorders, future directions are suggested for more effective emergency management and possible referral from ED.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
ReviewReview article: Evaluating the effectiveness of arterial pressure point techniques as a first aid method for external haemorrhage control: A systematic review.
The current ANZCOR guidelines for first aid management of life-threatening bleeding from a limb, where bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure, recommends the use of an arterial tourniquet. However, tourniquets required specialised training and equipment, which may not be accessible in all emergencies. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of arterial pressure point techniques (APPT) as a first aid measure for controlling life-threatening, non-compressible bleeding from limbs and anatomical junctions. ⋯ Additional research with higher levels of evidence, standardised protocols and larger sample sizes is needed. Investigation in real-world scenarios is crucial to compare methods like tourniquets. Future research will determine APPT's effectiveness and its potential role as a bridging technique before tourniquet application or medical assistance.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
A pilot trial exploring the use of music in the emergency department and its association with delirium and other clinical outcomes.
To assess potential feasibility of a targeted music intervention trial in older ED patients and association with clinical outcomes. ⋯ Self-selected use of a targeted music intervention was feasible in a cohort of older ED patients. While we were likely underpowered to detect associations between intervention and outcome, collection of selected outcome measures proved feasible; these may be helpful in larger scale studies. Exploration of barriers and facilitators to use, as well as preferred delivery methods, are likely to be helpful in wider investigations of music therapy in this high-risk cohort.