Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
The AMA supports all doctors in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
This article outlines the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) current policy on voluntary assisted dying (VAD), arguing that, when read in good faith in its entirety as intended, the policy lacks neutrality or balance. As written, it is a wide-ranging policy reflecting the diversity of views among medical professionals that still exists on the issue of VAD. While recognising that relevant legislation is a matter for governments and society, the policy advocates for the protection of doctors and patients, whether they choose to participate in VAD or not. Consistent with a proper interpretation of the policy as a whole, the AMA has been active in supporting the VAD legislative process, implementation and the practitioners involved including providing practical guidance now that legislation has been passed in several jurisdictions.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
ReviewArtificial Intelligence in Cardiology: Fundamentals and Applications.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an overarching term that encompasses a set of computational approaches that are trained through generalised learning to autonomously execute specific tasks. AI is a rapidly expanding field in medicine. In particular cardiology, with its high reliance on numerical patient data in decision making, has great potential to benefit from AI. ⋯ Healthcare systems will undoubtedly become more automated and shift to more AI-driven methods to improve efficiency and reduce cost. Patients in the end will benefit from these changes with improved diagnostic accuracy, better tailored treatments resulting in a greater quality and quantity of life. In this article, we will describe some of the fundamental principles underlying AI that physicians should have an understanding of, along with current clinical applications.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Septic arthritis due to Neisseria gonorrhoea in Western Australia.
A high prevalence of gonococcal infections has been reported from remote parts of Western Australia, but the occurrence of disseminated infection leading to arthritis has not been studied. ⋯ GA stably complicates 0.25% of gonococcal infections in WA with young indigenous females and middle-aged non-indigenous males most affected. Prior infectious disease and diabetes mellitus are potential risk factors for GA in females. GA recurs rarely, but its development reflects a high risk of morbidity and mortality over the following 10 years.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2022
Observational StudyPatterns of azithromycin use in obstructive airway diseases: a real-world observational study.
Low-dose long-term azithromycin is recommended in clinical practice guidelines for obstructive airway diseases (OAD); however, an optimal therapeutic regimen is not yet established. ⋯ Physicians are currently using low-dose azithromycin for a long duration of more than 1 year for the management of OAD. The typical case definition is an older non-smoking adult with persistent asthma, often in combination with another OAD and presenting with bothersome cough or sputum. Azithromycin was well tolerated and led to reduced healthcare utilisation. Further research is required to establish an optimal dosage regimen of azithromycin in OAD.