CJEM
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Over the last two decades, there has been a steady rise in severe maternal morbidity and pregnancy-related deaths in Canada and the USA. The Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (MEOWS) is a risk stratification tool designed to predict severe maternal morbidity and mortality and has been validated for use in obstetrical wards. The objective of this study was to determine if MEOWS could accurately identify patients at risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the ED setting. ⋯ This study is the first to explore the utility of MEOWS in postpartum ED patients. The presence of a MEOWS trigger at ED triage or the first ED nursing assessment was associated with severe maternal morbidity. Thus, MEOWS may be a valuable tool to identify postpartum patients at risk of severe outcomes early in an ED visit.
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This is the first study to take an in-depth qualitative approach to identify motivating factors for caregivers who chose the paediatric emergency virtual care option in Canada during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The role that virtual care may play moving forward is also considered. ⋯ Our study indicates that virtual care was an attractive option for caregivers due to the safety, reassurance, and convenience provided. The strong patient desire for continued availability post-pandemic will be important considerations in this rapidly developing area of care.
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Residency training is associated with risks of burnout and impaired well-being. This may be due to multiple factors, including navigating various transitions. Chief among these is the transition to independent practice which, in Canada, involves a certification exam administered by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada. This qualitative study explored the experience of residents in their examination year, including residents impacted by pandemic-related examination postponment, to understand how these experiences may impact residents' well-being. ⋯ This study has identified unique challenges in the examination year, and its impact on the well-being of residents immediately before they enter independent practice. Residents also experienced significant learning and a sense of accomplishment through their preparation for the examination. The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on one cohort of residents. This should prompt medical education institutions to examine the support provided to residents, the culture surrounding certification examinations, and mitigation strategies for future examination disruptions.
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We hypothesized that an association exists between satisfaction with ED mental health care delivery and patient and system characteristics. Primary: To evaluate overall satisfaction with ED mental health care delivery. Secondary: To explore aspects of ED mental health care delivery associated with general satisfaction, and patient and ED visit characteristic associated with total satisfaction scores and reported care experience themes. ⋯ There is a need to improve ED mental health care delivery, with a focus on timely access to ED mental health providers. Access to outpatient/community-based mental health care is needed to complement care received in the ED and to provide continuity of care for youth with mental health concerns.