Irish journal of medical science
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The physician assistant role in healthcare delivery was first introduced during the 1960s in the USA as a solution to doctor shortages, greater population healthcare needs and increasing healthcare provision costs. Since then, many countries worldwide have utilized the successful USA physician assistant model as a benchmark to guide both physician assistant training and the incorporation of the role into their healthcare systems. While the USA retained the title physician assistant, Ireland and the UK use the title physician associate. ⋯ Physician assistants in the USA and the Netherlands have prescribing privileges. Statutory regulation for physician assistants/associates lays the groundwork for prescribing privileges and such regulation is under consideration by the government in the UK. Studies indicate that doctors and patients are largely satisfied with the contribution of this profession to healthcare services and physician assistants/associates report good job satisfaction.
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The fifth metacarpal fractures are the most common in all of hand fractures. To our knowledge, the classification of the fifth distal metacarpal bone fractures has not been studied. ⋯ This study represented a unique classification system for fractures of the distal part of the fifth metacarpal bone. Categorization in radiographs might provide ideas regarding the prognosis and clinical outcomes of fracture patterns. Therefore, this study could guide future investigations to determine the first-line treatment of fifth distal metacarpal fracture patterns using this classification and help form a common language among surgeons concerning their treatment options.
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Almost every day, new information about the COVID-19 pandemic continues to emerge. COVID-19 presents a mild clinical picture in children. However, how it goes in newborns and pregnant is still entirely unclear. ⋯ We did not come across any signs of vertical SARS-CoV-2 transmission. COVID-19 diagnosed newborns entirely healed with conservative treatment.
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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had profound implications on healthcare institutions. ⋯ Spinal injury continues to occur across almost all categories, albeit at considerably reduced numbers. RTAs and falls remained the most common MOI. Awareness needs to be drawn to the reduction of malignancy-related referrals to dissuade people with such symptoms from avoiding presentation to hospital over periods of social restrictions.