Biomedical subjects

G Bury

Publications and source records attributed to G Bury.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Pre-hospital management of acute myocardial infarction.

Two-hundred and eleven Irish GPs responded to a questionnaire survey of their experience and management of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and their attitudes to the use of thrombolytic therapy Three-quarters of the respondents felt they dealt with three or more MIs per year; most felt that the majority of MIs were initially seen by a GP. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings; only 11% routinely take an ECG. Management is largely oriented to relief of pain but intravenous narcotics are only used by a minority. Hospital referral for suspected acute MI was the preferred choice for almost all GPs in a variety of patient-care scenarios. Home care for MI was chosen only for a minority of elderly patients when some hours had elapsed since the onset of symptoms. Definitive guidelines on the pre-hospital use of thrombolysis are not yet available. However, eighty per cent of respondents in this study feel that thrombolysis is beneficial and many feel that it has value in the pre-hospital situation. Respondents identified educational, organisational and financial problems to be overcome before this could happen.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Communication skills training in undergraduate medicine: attitudes and attitude change.

The importance of communication skills training in undergraduate medical education is now widely accepted. However little is known about student attitudes towards their own communication skills and whether their attitudes changes as a result of participating in communication skills courses. The aim of the present study was to identify these attitudes prior to commencing such a course and to further evaluate changes in these attitudes on completion of the course. Results demonstrated an improvement in perceived confidence regarding a number of specific communication skills. The study provides further evidence of the value of such courses in undergraduate medical training.

Attitude↗

PubMed1992

Awareness of heart attack signals and cardiac risk markers amongst the general public in Dublin.

Following myocardial infarction, early access to medical care is essential. In order to assess the ability to recognise and manage heart attack and its risk factors, 302 members of the public were surveyed. A surprisingly comprehensive knowledge base was revealed, together with apparently appropriate ideas about the management of myocardial infarction and its risk factors. The significance of this finding is discussed in the light of the well documented delays by members of the public in summoning help when they suspect heart attack.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Resuscitation skills among the general public in Dublin.

Evidence exists that many of the victims of cardiac arrest due to ischemic heart disease can be resuscitated if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are made available in the minutes following collapse. In order to evaluate the ability of the general public in Dublin to perform CPR appropriately, 225 people were asked when CPR was indicated and how cardiac arrest was diagnosed and then asked to perform CPR on a mannequin. In the knowledge sections, 45% gave an appropriate indication for CPR and 34% gave appropriate criteria for diagnosing cardiac arrest. However, only eight participants were able to perform CPR correctly and only six (2.6%) had both the correct skills and knowledge. There is an urgent need to improve the public's knowledge of and ability to perform CPR as part of an overall strategy to decrease mortality from ischemic heart disease in Ireland.

Educational Status↗

PubMed1990

Communication skills training in undergraduate medicine.

Good communication with patients is now recognised as the cornerstone in effective medical practice. Medical students do not automatically acquire the art of good communication through clinical training. A new course to promote the development of communication skills at undergraduate level is described. The course was provided at the juncture between pre-clinical and clinical training. Course evaluation illustrated the value of the course as perceived by students themselves and highlighted the areas of greatest need for students in communication skills training.

Communication↗

PubMed1989

Drug problems in Dublin.

Despite some evidence of a decline in first time use of heroin in Ireland, the underlying social and economic problems remain. There is, therefore, a threat that more widespread drug misuse will recur if the threat of AIDS loses its deterrent effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in a Dublin general practice.

A group general practice in Dublin's inner city has had extensive experience of intravenous drug users since the late 1970s. Since 1985 a total of 54 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients have attended the practice, of whom 48 are intravenous drug users, four are the children of drug users and two have been infected through sexual contacts. Three patients have developed the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and at least eight have symptomatic HIV disease. Sixty per cent of Ireland's seropositive population have been infected through intravenous drug abuse but nationally only 16% of all intravenous drug users tested are seropositive; in the study practice, however, at least 35% (48/137) of known intravenous drug users are seropositive.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1989

Does smog increase the general practitioner's workload?

Dublin city experienced a week-long episode of intense smog in November 1988. A retrospective analysis was carried out in ten general practices of the numbers of patients seen during November. Each practice was situated in an area affected by high smog levels. The numbers of patients seen in surgery and on house-calls showed no differences during the weeks preceding the smog outbreak, during the period of high smog levels or during the week after this period. No qualitative data on the reasons for patients' visits were collected and no comments can be made on the nature of patients' illnesses during this period. There was no evidence for an increased workload in general practice caused by this episode of intense smog but a prospective study is necessary to confirm this finding and to examine the nature of patients' problems during such an episode.

Humans↗

PubMed1989

AIDS: can we cope?

AIDS has become far more than just another disease; it has become a sensitive political issue, a social and moral problem, a cause of international tensions, a favourite media story and a cause for despair among those who may be infected. Familiarity breeds, if not contempt, then at least complacency; the risk of infection for individuals, even those who are highly sexually active, is often not personalized - people still perceive AIDS as something that happens to other people, not to themselves.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1988