Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Presenting symptoms of COVID-19 and clinical outcomes in hospitalised older adults.
In July 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak was recognised in the geriatric wards at a subacute campus of the Royal Melbourne Hospital affecting patients and staff. Patients were also admitted to this site after diagnosis in residential care. ⋯ COVID-19 diagnosis is challenging due to the variance in symptoms. In the context of an outbreak, asymptomatic screening can identify affected patients early in the disease course.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
ReviewThe Australian burden of invasive group A streptococcal disease - a narrative review.
The Australian and New Zealand governments have allocated significant funding to advance efforts towards a group A Streptococcus (Strep A) vaccine. The argument for Strep A vaccine development has to date focussed on prevention of non-invasive disease (e.g. pharyngitis) and immune-mediated complications (especially rheumatic heart disease). Because of the poorer prognosis and theoretically more precisely known burden of invasive, compared to non-invasive disease, exploration of the burden of invasive Strep A disease could lend further support to the vaccine business case. ⋯ Preventing invasive Strep A disease is an important use for a Strep A vaccine. This narrative review highlights deficiencies in our current understanding of the Australian disease burden. These difficulties would be overcome by nationally consistent mandatory case reporting.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Australian public hospital inpatient satisfaction related to early patient involvement and shared decision-making in discharge planning.
Surveys of hospital inpatient satisfaction may help develop actionable plans for quality improvement, and patients have preferred to give feedback during admission at the point of service compared to after discharge. However, patient satisfaction measurement has often been done by questionnaires post-discharge, and without focussing on an Australian general internal medicine setting. ⋯ In an Australian general internal medicine service, early involvement and shared decision-making in discharge planning are valued by patients. Incorporating checking of patients' understanding of diagnoses, management, discharge instructions, and follow-up plans into ward round routines may benefit patient satisfaction. This study stimulates further research into the use of a proforma to capture and check patients' understanding of discharge diagnoses and plans.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2021
Sentiments expressed in YouTube public awareness campaigns: stroke.
Social media (YouTube) has been used to educate the public on stroke signs and the need to contact emergency hotline. We perform sentiment analysis to explore the emotional response to the 2006 North American and contrast this with the five Australian campaigns (2009-2015). The positive sentiment in the North American campaign provides insights for developing material for public health campaigns.
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Historical writings of the growth of the Colony at Sydney Cove, Warrane, offered limited insight into the deprivations endured by sufferers of the 18th century canker, lues venerea, syphilis. Despite Governor Arthur Phillip's well-meaning precautions, the disease effortlessly accompanied the First Fleet, rapidly spread among the Colonial inhabitants and very soon spilled over to the indigenous Cadigal clansmen. Sporadic reporting by early Sydney diarists delineated the unstoppable course of the advancing affliction.