Irish journal of medical science
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The 5G technology, with its low latency, high speed, enhanced high-resolution bandwidth, superior reliability, and less energy consumption, is bound to transform telemedicine and the healthcare industry as a whole. This next-generation wireless networking technology has many far-reaching implications in both preventive and therapeutic care of the patients. Remote monitoring of patients is possible with wearables facilitated by robust sensors coupled to 5G network. Virtual patient consultation; augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)-based simulated surgeries; artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotic surgeries; real-time maintenance of ambulances and other medical devices; and dynamic huge data repository are some of the other applications of 5G technology in the health sector.
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Review
A brief literature review of the psychological benefits of volunteerism in watersports inclusion.
The 2009 National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland assert that 'all people with disabilities should be active'. Events such as the Watersports Inclusion Games invite individuals across the full spectrum of abilities to take part in physical activity in the form of adaptive watersports. This literature review aims to assess the value of inclusive watersport events such as this in the context of what is currently published on the motivation and benefits for volunteers in watersports inclusion. ⋯ The outcomes of this review suggest that, while there are many papers published on the benefits for volunteers in general and in sport, there is a relative paucity of literature on volunteers in inclusive sport, and even less relating to inclusive watersports. This review identifies a powerful opportunity to provide evidence to support the benefits of inclusive watersport for both participants and volunteers. Further research is required on why volunteers become involved in inclusive watersports and the benefits they derive from their involvement.
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The decline in popularity of general surgery as a career has been well described. A number of factors have been put forward to explain this, for example, trainee burnout and perceived difficulty with work/life balance. The aim of this study was to elucidate the reasons for this among medical students in Ireland. ⋯ A small proportion of respondents plan to pursue a career in general surgery. This is concerning in view of attrition rates through junior years. Although lifestyle factors are significant, clarity regarding training pathways was also reported. Undergraduate education regarding career trajectory, quality of life and practicalities of a career in general surgery may increase applications.
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Irish Health Research Regulations (HRRs) were introduced following the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. The HRRs described specific supplementary regulatory requirements for research regarding governance, processes and procedure that impact on several facets of research. The numerous problems that the HRRs and particularly "explicit consent" inadvertently created were presented under the auspices of the Irish Academy of Medical Sciences (IAMS) on November 25, 2019, at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. ⋯ Our results confirm that the HRRs have had a significantly negative impact on health research in Ireland. Urgent meaningful engagement between patient advocate groups, the research community and legislators would help ameliorate these impacts.
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Irish Travellers are a marginalised ethnic minority with poor health outcomes, especially in mental health: the suicide rate in this population is 6-7 times that in the general population. There is a paucity of research into associated clinical risk factors including self-harm and mental illnesses. ⋯ This study shows that there is a significant overrepresentation of Travellers in mental health services, suggesting significant need for accessible and acceptable interventions. Those with a BPD diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of self-harm, representing an ultra-high-risk population. These findings can be used to plan future service development projects to better meet the needs of this population: they may require specially adapted version of the mentalisation-based treatment programme.