Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyOutcomes of an Australian testing programme for epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in non-small cell lung cancer.
Molecular characterisation of non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is required to direct optimal treatment. Treatment of NSCLC with inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TKI) should be guided by the presence of activating mutations of the EGFR gene. ⋯ EGFR gene mutation testing is feasible on local and interstate lung cancer samples. The rate of valid test outcomes is high, but FNA samples are associated with more frequent test failure.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2014
Disabling disease codes predict worse outcomes for acute medical admissions.
Concurrent with an extension in longevity, a prodrome of ill-health ('disability' identifiable by certain International Classification of Disease (ICD) 9/ICD10 codes) predates the acute emergency presentation. To date, no study has assessed the effect of such 'disability' on outcomes of emergency medical admissions. ⋯ Disability burden, irrespective of organ system at emergency medical admission, independently predicts worse outcomes and a longer in-hospital stay.
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Māori have known health disparities that may be addressed through increasing the cultural competency of New Zealand's medical workforce. There is a paucity of Māori health professionals choosing paediatrics or adult medicine as a career and the factors influencing their career decision are yet to be explored. ⋯ Mentoring provides an opportunity to attract Māori into paediatric and adult physician training. The use of existing mentoring programmes could facilitate in expanding Māori RACP workforce development. This extended Māori workforce would have benefits for the health of New Zealand as a whole.