Irish journal of medical science
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The success of cervical screening relies on assessment and treatment of pre-malignant disease. Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) has been the mainstay of treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Preterm delivery (PTD) in subsequent pregnancy is a long-term complication of the intervention. ⋯ Despite having a lower mean depth of excision, women with CIN 3 comprised the majority of those who experienced PTD, suggesting that factors other than mechanical weakness are implicated in PTD for these women. This is in keeping with recent suggestions that the common denominator in high grade CIN and PTD is an altered vaginal microbiome.
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Homeless people experience substantially higher rates of illness and significant barriers to accessing health services. The mobile health clinic (MHC), staffed by trainee general practitioners, targets and provides homeless people in Dublin with free and easy access to primary healthcare services. ⋯ While the findings of this study are limited by the small sample size, they nevertheless indicate that the MHC promotes access to primary care service. Results also highlight the need to expand the healthcare approaches on the MHC to adequately meet the health needs of its target population.
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Burnout is prevalent among doctors and affects the quality of patient care. Little research on burnout in consultant-level doctors has been done. The objective of this study was to measure burnout in the hospital consultant population in Ireland. ⋯ This study demonstrated that over 40% of the consultants studied are affected by burnout. This finding raises concerns for patient safety and standard of care as well as doctors well-being. Interventions to address and minimise burnout are important to guarantee high patient outcomes and retain medical staff.
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Virtual fracture clinics (VFC) are now prevalent across many orthopaedic services in the UK and Ireland. The management of a variety of musculoskeletal injuries using the VFC model has been demonstrated to be safe, cost-effective and associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. Referrals were made available through the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS). NIMIS allows for electronic movement of patient images throughout the Irish health service. ⋯ Virtual review of orthopaedic trauma patients results in satisfactory patient outcomes. Clinical outcomes were acceptable with minimal additional medical attention required following injury. Electronic transfer of information allows for the virtual service to operate from sites long distances from the primary orthopaedic centre. The NIMIS is a safe and confidential means of collaborating with other institutions and has huge potential in the areas of trauma care delivery, clinical conferencing and other image-based disciplines.
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The symptoms of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) frequently overlap in the elderly. Whether there are differences in clinical features or prognosis between GCA patients with or without PMR remains unknown. ⋯ GCA patients with or without PMR have different clinical characteristics. Patients with PMR present myalgia or arthralgia more frequently, while those without PMR have higher inflammatory markers, lower lymphocyte counts, and wider involvement of arteries under aortic arch.