Emergency psychiatry: a critical educational omission

Article Abstract:

Physicians have frequent contact with potentially suicidal individuals, and have a responsibility to try to help suicidal and possibly homicidal persons, as well as those involved in child abuse, spouse abuse, and incest. Each year, 25,000 persons in the US commit suicide. Studies show that suicidal persons often visit their doctor before committing suicide. Similarly, child abusers frequently develop psychosomatic complaints, and persons involved in domestic violence often make repeated visits to the doctor. The management of such cases is inconsistent among physicians. Most medical programs, including family practice, pediatrics, and internal medicine, do not include training in emergency psychiatric intervention. The lack of psychiatric training does not reflect a dislike of psychiatry or psychiatric patients, but may result from a lack of awareness by medical education program directors of the need for training. Psychiatric intervention and necessary treatment may be neglected because of a lack of communication between psychiatric consultants from academic institutions and physicians. Patient care is often not considered a priority in academia. However, communication between psychiatrists and physicians in private practice is more open than in academia. Various surveys assessing the prevalence of emergency psychiatric training among practitioners, residents, and students show that undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in this area of medicine is urgently needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Study and teaching, editorial, Psychiatric emergencies

---

Emergency department use of aspirin in patients with possible acute myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

The emergency departments of four hospitals administered aspirin less frequently and less promptly in cases of possible heart attack than guidelines suggest. In 220 cases with an initial diagnosis of heart attack, aspirin was given to 73% of the entering patients. In 17% of patients initially thought to have unstable angina or congestive heart failure, the diagnosis at discharge was a heart attack. Overall, the rate of aspirin use was only 45%, thus depriving 55% of the patients the benefits of early aspirin therapy.

Health aspects, Diagnosis, Unstable angina, Drug therapy, Heart attack, Aspirin, Chest pain

---

Total picture needs to change in medical education

Article Abstract:

Medical education still needs reform despite improvements in the admissions process that encourage more well-rounded individuals. An emphasis on rote memorization, a rigid and sometimes abusive hierarchical system, and a schedule which allows no time for outside pursuits are still common in medical school. Students need time for reading, problem solving, and pursuing non-medical interests which will ultimately make them more valuable doctors for their patients.

Column

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Risk stratification according to the initial electrocardiogram in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction
• Abstracts: Exercise capacity in patients 3 days after acute, uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Anxiety transmission in the patient with myocardial infarction
• Abstracts: Technology assessment in critical care. Factors affecting decisions made by family members of patients with severe head injury
• Abstracts: Efficacy of home health care in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Evaluation of duodenogastric reflux in gallstone disease before and after simple cholecystectomy
• Abstracts: Aerosol addiction. Metered-dose inhaler accessory devices in acute asthma. Montelukast for persistent asthma

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.