Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Jan 2025
ReviewCan artificial intelligence improve patient educational material readability? A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Enhancing patient comprehension of their health is crucial in improving health outcomes. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in distilling medical information into a conversational, legible format can potentially enhance health literacy. This review aims to examine the accuracy, reliability, comprehensiveness and readability of medical patient education materials (PEMs) simplified by AI models. ⋯ These limitations can be addressed with higher-calibre models combined with prompt engineering. In conclusion, the literature reveals a scope for AI to enhance patient health literacy through medical PEMs. Further refinement is needed to improve AI's accuracy and reliability, especially when simplifying complex medical information.
-
There continues to be significant interest from both clinicians and patients in using faecal transplantation, as the integral role of the gut microbiome is increasingly recognised in various disease conditions, both within and beyond the gut. This Clinical Perspectives article provides an overview of existing literature, factors limiting the use of faecal microbial transplantation in clinical practice and exciting new advancements on the horizon.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jan 2025
ReviewPatient-driven personal importation in the face of cost barriers to care: can we do better?
Australia has a robust public health system that helps to make medicines affordable. However, evidence shows that a significant proportion of Australians still cannot afford medicines prescribed to them and that some patients import medicines from abroad as a result. ⋯ Although personal importation is the most obvious option, regulation leaves scope for other possibilities. We propose that guidance should be developed to help physicians address cost-related medicine non-adherence in practice and to help them understand their options and how to navigate them at the individual, speciality and professional levels.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jan 2025
Case ReportsMuscular dystrophy as a cause of unilateral scapular winging.
Shoulder weakness with unilateral scapular winging is a common issue that initially presents to the general physician, sports physician or rheumatologist. Although most of these cases are neurogenic in nature, it is important to consider alternative causes for unilateral scapular winging. Muscular dystrophies can present with marked asymmetry, the most typical being facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). We describe a case of FSHD with a summary of the key clinical features to increase the awareness of this condition among physicians.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jan 2025
Characteristics of paracetamol poisoning in a local health network and consistency of hospital management with national guidelines.
The management of paracetamol poisoning in our local health network and consistency with national guidelines is unclear. We conducted a 4-month retrospective study of all paracetamol poisonings identified in two South Australian hospitals. ⋯ Although most were managed in accordance with national guidelines, there were deficiencies in documentation of the poisoning details and patient weight as well as cases of underdosing of the antidote. Quality improvement initiatives are needed.