Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
ABO and Rhesus D blood groups in the Northern Territory of Australia.
There are no contemporary published data on the frequency of the ABO and Rhesus D (RhD) blood groups in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, particularly for the large Aboriginal population. ⋯ We found a significant difference in ABO and RhD blood groups between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals in the NT (P < 0.001). These findings will aid transfusion inventory management, allowing us to plan supply of blood products and reduce waste.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Multicenter StudyMedical student knowledge and critical appraisal of machine learning: a multicentre international cross-sectional study.
To utilise effectively tools that employ machine learning (ML) in clinical practice medical students and doctors will require a degree of understanding of ML models. To evaluate current levels of understanding, a formative examination and survey was conducted across three centres in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Of the 245 individuals who participated in the study (response rate = 45.4%), the majority had difficulty with identifying weaknesses in model performance analysis. Further studies examining educational interventions addressing such ML topics are warranted.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
COVID-19 End-of-life Care: Symptoms and Supportive Therapy Use in an Australian Hospital.
Descriptions of symptoms and medication use at end of life in COVID-19 are limited to small cross-sectional studies, with no Australian longitudinal data. ⋯ This study presents one of the first and largest Australian report of the end of life and symptom experience of people dying of COVID-19. This information should help clinicians to anticipate palliative care needs of these patients, for example, recognising that higher starting doses of opioids and sedatives may help reduce prevalence and severity of breathlessness and agitation near death.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Observational StudyAn Observational Study of the Incidence and Factors Associated with Patient Readmission from Home Based Care Under the Hospital in the Home Program.
Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides home-based care by hospital staff, which reduces inpatient length of stay and promotes a better quality of life. The frequency and precipitants for readmission from HITH back to the acute inpatient service are currently poorly defined. ⋯ Older age and greater comorbidity increased the odds of readmission, but patients from the ED were low risk compared to inpatient referrals.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Safety and efficacy of telephone clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic in the provision of care for patients with cancer.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone clinics have been utilised to reduce the risk of transmission. Evidence supporting its quality and safety is required. ⋯ Generally, patients and clinicians viewed telephone clinics favourably. Nevertheless, a large portion of patients still prefer face-to-face clinics. Services should be tailored to individual preferences. Although there were no 'red flags' in terms of mortality or admission rates, further longitudinal research is required.