Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
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To determine the characteristics of asymptomatic elevated blood pressure patients in an accident and emergency setting and assess the effect of a nurse-led intervention system. ⋯ The implementation of a simple nurse-led hypertension referral system is a cost-effective way to screen asymptomatic subjects with elevated blood pressures in the accident and emergency department.
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Advance directives have been implemented for years in western countries, but the concept is new to Asian cultures. According to traditional Chinese culture, family members usually play a decisive role in a patient's treatment plan. Thus it may be hard to implement an advance directive despite its importance to the treatment of patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of advance directive engagement and to explore significant contributing factors to achieving such a goal. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that it was feasible to discuss an advance directive with Chinese patients with advanced malignancy. When patients have insight about their poor prognosis and family members have no objection, it may be appropriate to discuss an advance directive.
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To compare the outcome of cryothermal and radiofrequency energy transcatheter ablation of atrioventricular junctional re-entrant tachycardia in children and adolescents. ⋯ Transcatheter cryoablation for atrioventricular junctional re-entrant tachycardia in children and adolescents is as effective as radiofrequency ablation over the medium term. It has an excellent safety profile in terms of avoiding heart block.
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The stressful life of doctors makes them prone to burnout. We evaluated the prevalence of burnout among Hong Kong public hospital doctors and correlated burnout with job characteristics, working hours, stressors, and stress-relieving strategies. ⋯ A high proportion of public doctors who responded to our survey endured high burnout. Trainees with some experience were at heightened risk. Stressors identified in this study should be addressed, so as to improve job satisfaction.