Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Psychometric validation of the Partners in Health scale as a self-management tool in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease complicated by recurrent hospital admissions. Self-management skills could facilitate optimal disease management. At present there is no validated instrument for measuring self-management in these patients. Hence, we evaluated the internal reliability and construct validity of the Partners in Health (PIH) scale, a chronic condition self-management tool in cirrhotic patients. ⋯ The dimensionality, known-group validity and reliability of the PIH scale for measuring self-management in patients with liver cirrhosis were confirmed. Its clinical predictive value requires further assessment.
-
Depression is common among doctors. However, concerns remain that doctors are unlikely to ask for help when symptoms of depression arise. ⋯ While it is reassuring that the majority of depressed doctors were able to seek professional help, many were not. Major barriers to professional help-seeking, particularly concerns about confidentiality and impact on career, remain a problem. Male, overseas-trained, junior doctors, surgeons and pathologists/radiologists were less likely to seek help for depression. Targeted interventions are required to increase appropriate help-seeking for depression in doctors.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Critical peptic ulcer bleeding requiring massive blood transfusion: outcomes of 270 cases.
Critical peptic ulcer bleeding requiring massive transfusion is a gastroenterological emergency. Few data exist on management and outcomes. The Australian and New Zealand Massive Transfusion Registry collects comprehensive data on adult patients receiving massive transfusion across all bleeding contexts. ⋯ One in five patients with critical peptic ulcer bleeding requiring massive transfusion died by 30 days. Mortality was associated with patient characteristics rather than clinical interventions (e.g. procedures, blood product transfusion).
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Utilization of telehealth for outpatient diabetes management during COVID-19 pandemic: how did the patients fare?
During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many outpatient services at public hospitals, including diabetes services, had adopted telehealth appointments for their clinic patients. There was concern that patients' glycaemic control may worsen during the pandemic. ⋯ The present study showed that for patients with diabetes who received care via telehealth consultations during the COVID-19 lockdown, their glycaemic control was slightly better, and unplanned admission rates were not higher compared with those in the pre-COVID-19 period. Telehealth consultation offers an important care delivery option in the management of patients with diabetes under these circumstances.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2021
Discussion of Advance Care Planning on end of life decisions with lung cancer patients in Wuhan China: Attitude, Timing, and Future Directions.
Progress in advance care planning (ACP) in China has been hindered for decades compared with other countries. ⋯ Chinese patients showed preferences towards ACP, but with inadequate knowledge. More assistance is needed with ACP for those patients, especially for females, patients with one child and those with early stage lung cancer. For female patients and patients receiving treatment, doctors may initiate ACP dialogue first.