Aust Fam Physician
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Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in healthcare settings is essential for the delivery of culturally appropriate care. Under-identification is common and practitioner confidence is a known barrier. ⋯ More than a quarter of registrars reported low confidence for this basic consultation skill. Our findings will inform general prac-tice vocational training and continuing professional development, and reinforce the importance of a comprehensive, system-wide approach to the identification of patients' Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status.
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Burn injuries are common and costly; each year, there are more than 200,000 cases, costing the Australian community $150 million. Management of smaller burn injuries in the community can be improved by appropriate first aid, good burn dressings and wound management. This can reduce the risk of the burn becoming deeper or infected, and can potentially reduce the requirement for specialist review or surgery. ⋯ This article provides a framework used by the State Burn Service of Western Australia, by which clinicians can understand the needs of a specific burn wound and apply these principles when choosing an appropriate burn dressing for their patient. Every intervention in the journey of a patient with a burn injury affects their eventual outcome. By managing all burn injuries effectively at every single step, we can reduce burn injury morbidity as a community.
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The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adolescents is increasing, particularly among those in lower socioeconomic areas, and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander and Asian ethnicities. ⋯ Screening was feasible and acceptable in this setting. The findings suggest a need for extended screening in the future.
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Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) is a previously described phenomenon that is the result of improper vaccine delivery. Appropriate injection technique for administration of intramuscular vaccinations can reduce the risk of shoulder injury. ⋯ SIRVA has previously been described in the world literature. Seventeen cases in women and five cases in men were found. Pain and reduction in the range of movement within a few hours of vaccination were cardinal signs of a shoulder injury. This included injuries to the soft tissues of the shoulder as well as injuries to bone and joint. SIRVA can be avoided with correct vaccination technique as described.