Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2022
The Diagnostic Value of clinical examination for identifying patients with large and small fibre neuropathy.
The diagnosis of polyneuropathy usually requires neurophysiological investigation, necessitating specialised testing and interpretation thereby increasing the time to final diagnosis. ⋯ The absence of ankle jerks performed moderately well in identifying patients likely to have large-fibre neuropathy and could potentially be used to help decide who should be sent for NCS. Gradient temperature testing was much more subjective and did not change the likelihood of abnormal TTT.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2022
Healthcare-providers experiences with Advance Care Planning and Goals of Patient Care medical treatment orders in Residential Aged Care Facilities; an explanatory descriptive study.
Advance care planning (ACP) is a process by which people communicate their healthcare preferences and values, planning for a time when they are unable to voice them. Within residential aged care facilities (RACF), both the completion and the clarity of ACP documents are varied and, internationally, medical treatment orders have been used to address these issues. ⋯ Healthcare providers identified ACP and GOPC as positive tools for assisting with medical decision-making for residents. Although barriers exist in completion and activation of plans, healthcare providers described them as progressing resident-centred care. Willingness to follow ACP instructions was reported to be reduced by lack of trust by clinicians. Families were also reported to change their views from those documented in family-completed ACP, attributed to poor understanding of their purpose. Participants reported that GOPC led to clearer documentation of residents' medical treatment plans rather than relying on ACP documents alone.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2022
The workplace and psychosocial experiences of Australian junior doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Junior doctors experience high levels of psychological distress and emotional exhaustion. The current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in significant changes to healthcare globally, with quantitative studies demonstrating increased fatigue, depression and burnout in junior doctors. However, there has been limited qualitative research to examine junior doctors' experiences, challenges and beliefs regarding management of future crises. ⋯ Challenging workplace cultures and conditions, which have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, are associated with poor psychological well-being in junior doctors. There exists a need for long-term, widespread improvements in workplace culture and working conditions to ensure junior doctors' well-being, facilitate workforce retention and enhance the safety and quality of patient care in Australia.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2022
Case ReportsEnzyme replacement therapy leading to improvement in myeloma indices in a patient with concomitant Gaucher disease.
Patients with Gaucher disease (GD) have been shown previously to carry an increased risk for cancer, most commonly multiple myeloma (MM). It is currently unknown whether treatment for GD has an effect on the prevention or amelioration of MM. We present the case of a 41-year-old patient simultaneously diagnosed with GD and smouldering MM. Enzyme replacement therapy with Velaglucerase-alfa significantly improved myeloma indices.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2022
Sodium-glucose cotransport-2 inhibitor induced ketoacidosis following coronary artery bypass surgery: implications for management.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an uncommon, but well recognised, life-threatening complication of SGLT2i. ⋯ Intravenous insulin in the first 24 h after surgery was associated with a significantly lower risk of DKA in SGLT2i patients. Use of an insulin infusion should be considered in these patients, especially in those who are unable to cease their SGLT2i pre-operatively.