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Issue

Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

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Issue Summary

Article
SUMMARY

Opportunities for preventing subsequent injuries: a qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who have experienced injuries

Helen Harcombe, Amy E Richardson, Emma H Wyeth, Sarah Derrett

Injuries occur frequently and are costly to individuals and society. Preventing subsequent injuries from occurring is one way of reducing the overall burden of injury. This qualitative study interviewed people who had themselves experienced multiple injury events about potential opportunities for subsequent injury prevention from their perspectives. Potential opportunities were wide-ranging including aspects relating to individuals, healthcare providers and the health system as well as broader environmental and societal aspects.

Article
SUMMARY

Acute otolaryngological presentations in Northland, New Zealand: analysed with respect to geography and rurality

Chelsea L Heaven, Matthew James McGuinness, Subhaschandra Shetty

Ear, nose and throat problems are seen commonly in the emergency department by emergency doctors and rural medicine specialists in Northland, New Zealand. Our paper reports on the numbers and types of problems seen and treated in rural and urban patients in the region. It supports the continuing need to target resources to centres treating rural patients with ear, nose and throat conditions.

Article
SUMMARY

Invasive group A streptococcal disease in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: epidemiology, manifestations and impact

Johanna M Birrell, Bridget Wilson, Susan Taylor, Julie Bennett

Group A streptococcus is a bacterium that can enter the bloodstream and cause serious illness, referred to as 'invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease'. This study found that, in Hawke's Bay, iGAS disease is more common in people of Pacific, Māori and Asian ethnicities, and those living in disadvantaged areas. Children under 5 years, adults over 65 years, and people with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease are most at risk. Skin infections were the main source of iGAS disease, and further preventative action on skin health is recommended.

Article
SUMMARY

Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer patients in a rural setting: 10 years’ experience

Anthony W K Lau, Vanessa L Lau, Magdalena M Sakowska

The lymphatic track is one of the most common pathways through which breast cancer can spread. Sentinel node biopsies are undertaken to excise the sentinel node, which indicates the first site the cancer may have spread to if it has expanded from its primary location. Two methods for detecting sentinel nodes were compared here, and a magnetic tracker in addition to blue dye was found to be more effective than blue dye alone. This study shows that the magnetic tracer introduced in 2017 has significantly enhanced early breast cancer care in a rural setting.

Article
SUMMARY

Psychosocial care in DHB-based stroke services in Aotearoa: a survey of current practice

Felicity A S Bright, John Davison, Ginny Abernethy

Wellbeing is often affected by stroke and should be supported by stroke services. We conducted a survey of stroke services throughout New Zealand to explore how they identified issues and how they support people with stroke. We found that there is real inconsistency within cities and across regions in New Zealand. There are limited supports available to people who are struggling after stroke. We are now developing resources to help improve services for people with stroke.

Article
SUMMARY

The impact of AI and ChatGPT on research reporting

Zubair M Mojadeddi, Jacob Rosenberg

ChatGPT is an AI tool that can help researchers with various aspects of writing scientific articles, such as finding relevant literature, organizing ideas, and even writing different sections of an article. The quality of its output has not been formally compared to human work and it has some limitations, including occasional incorrect answers. Though it's not yet on par with professional medical writers, AI tools like ChatGPT could potentially change the way research is reported in the future.

Viewpoint
SUMMARY

Inclusive medical education for students with disabilities: a new guidance document from Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand

Dabrina Issakhany, Peter Crampton, members of the Medical Deans Inherent Requirements Review Working Group

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) is the peak body representing all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. MDANZ reviewed its 2017 guidelines related to selecting and supporting medical students with disabilities, and developed new recommendations. MDANZ recommends that medical schools adopt an inclusive, strengths-based approach to recruiting and supporting medical students with disabilities. A strengths-based and inclusive culture within medical schools is essential. Medical schools should adopt an individualised, context-specific and inclusive approach based on early, open dialogue with students with disabilities. As social norms and technologies evolve, regular re-examination of guidance on how to support potential or current medical students with a disability will be necessary.

Editorial
SUMMARY

Time for New Zealand to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines

David B Menkes, Barbara Mintzes, Joel Lexchin

New Zealand and the USA are the only two high-income countries that permit direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines. Research evidence supports the policy of most countries in banning DTCA. The rationale given by the New Zealand government for continuing to allow DTCA does not stand up to scrutiny.

ALL ARTICLES
SUMMARY
Editorial
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Time for New Zealand to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines

David B Menkes, Barbara Mintzes, Joel Lexchin

The New Zealand government is this year developing a new Therapeutic Products Bill to replace the antiquated Medicines Act 1981. Among the many issues at stake is whether direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines will continue to be permitted.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Opportunities for preventing subsequent injuries: a qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who have experienced injuries

Helen Harcombe, Amy E Richardson, Emma H Wyeth, Sarah Derrett

People can experience multiple injury events over time. Preventing subsequent injuries (not necessarily the same type or cause as an index injury) is one way to reduce the overall burden of injury which is considerable, comprising 10% of the disability burden globally.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Acute otolaryngological presentations in Northland, New Zealand: analysed with respect to geography and rurality

Chelsea L Heaven, Matthew James McGuinness, Subhaschandra Shetty

Rural patients face greater barriers to healthcare compared to those in urban centres. These include long travel distances, lack of access to transport, telecommunication, increased costs, higher levels of deprivation, and wider socio-economic factors.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Invasive group A streptococcal disease in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: epidemiology, manifestations and impact

Johanna M Birrell, Bridget Wilson, Susan Taylor, Julie Bennett

Group A streptococcus (GAS) can cause a range of clinical syndromes, including superficial infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo, post-streptococcal immunological complications such as acute rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis, and invasive infections. The direct costs of GAS-related disease in New Zealand have been estimated at almost 30 million NZD (2015 costs) per year.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer patients in a rural setting: 10 years’ experience

Anthony W K Lau, Vanessa L Lau, Magdalena M Sakowska

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard axillary staging procedure for early breast cancer and is undertaken when a patient is clinically and radiologically lymph node negative. Dual localisation of SLN with both radioisotope and patent blue dye is superior to single agent and has a lower false-negative rate. Its universal uptake, however, is limited as it requires access to a nuclear medicine department or a radioactive licence.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Psychosocial care in DHB-based stroke services in Aotearoa: a survey of current practice

Felicity A S Bright, John Davison, Ginny Abernethy

Stroke is increasingly common in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is the third most common cause of death and disability, with around 9,000 New Zealanders being affected by stroke each year. Despite the incidence of strokes declining, as the population ages, the number of strokes is anticipated to increase, with a corresponding increase in the number of people living with stroke.

Article
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

The impact of AI and ChatGPT on research reporting

Zubair M Mojadeddi, Jacob Rosenberg

Since the launch of ChatGPT, it has garnered the attention of many people worldwide, including biomedical researchers, as it appears to be able to substantially assist in the reporting process of biomedical research (article writing).

Viewpoint
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Inclusive medical education for students with disabilities: a new guidance document from Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand

Dabrina Issakhany, Peter Crampton, members of the Medical Deans Inherent Requirements Review Working Group

In both New Zealand’s medical schools, and in medical schools in Australia, there are ongoing efforts to increase the representativeness of medical student cohorts, with the aim of ensuring that they better reflect the different communities they will serve, particularly in terms of ethnicity, rural background and socio-economic background.

Clinical Correspondence
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Vernix caseosa peritonitis: a novel case with colonic perforation

Alexander Hart, Andrew MacLachlan, Louise Bright, Matthew James McGuinness, Ming Yu, Lena Clinckett, Paul Manuel, Mavis Orizu

Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) can occur following contamination of the peritoneum with amniotic fluid containing vernix caseosa, a white paste found on foetal skin. It is a rare condition with 35 cases reported since first described in 1976.

100 Years Ago in the NZMJ
Vol 136 No 1575: 12 May 2023

Anaesthetic Mortality in New Zealand

D S Wylie

In April, 1920, shortly after I undertook the duties of Inspect of Hospitals under the Health Department, I investigated the question of deaths under anaesthetics in New Zealand.

Editorial
SUMMARY

Time for New Zealand to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines

David B Menkes, Barbara Mintzes, Joel Lexchin

New Zealand and the USA are the only two high-income countries that permit direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines. Research evidence supports the policy of most countries in banning DTCA. The rationale given by the New Zealand government for continuing to allow DTCA does not stand up to scrutiny.

Article
SUMMARY

Opportunities for preventing subsequent injuries: a qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who have experienced injuries

Helen Harcombe, Amy E Richardson, Emma H Wyeth, Sarah Derrett

Injuries occur frequently and are costly to individuals and society. Preventing subsequent injuries from occurring is one way of reducing the overall burden of injury. This qualitative study interviewed people who had themselves experienced multiple injury events about potential opportunities for subsequent injury prevention from their perspectives. Potential opportunities were wide-ranging including aspects relating to individuals, healthcare providers and the health system as well as broader environmental and societal aspects.

Article
SUMMARY

Acute otolaryngological presentations in Northland, New Zealand: analysed with respect to geography and rurality

Chelsea L Heaven, Matthew James McGuinness, Subhaschandra Shetty

Ear, nose and throat problems are seen commonly in the emergency department by emergency doctors and rural medicine specialists in Northland, New Zealand. Our paper reports on the numbers and types of problems seen and treated in rural and urban patients in the region. It supports the continuing need to target resources to centres treating rural patients with ear, nose and throat conditions.

Article
SUMMARY

Invasive group A streptococcal disease in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: epidemiology, manifestations and impact

Johanna M Birrell, Bridget Wilson, Susan Taylor, Julie Bennett

Group A streptococcus is a bacterium that can enter the bloodstream and cause serious illness, referred to as 'invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease'. This study found that, in Hawke's Bay, iGAS disease is more common in people of Pacific, Māori and Asian ethnicities, and those living in disadvantaged areas. Children under 5 years, adults over 65 years, and people with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease are most at risk. Skin infections were the main source of iGAS disease, and further preventative action on skin health is recommended.

Article
SUMMARY

Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer patients in a rural setting: 10 years’ experience

Anthony W K Lau, Vanessa L Lau, Magdalena M Sakowska

The lymphatic track is one of the most common pathways through which breast cancer can spread. Sentinel node biopsies are undertaken to excise the sentinel node, which indicates the first site the cancer may have spread to if it has expanded from its primary location. Two methods for detecting sentinel nodes were compared here, and a magnetic tracker in addition to blue dye was found to be more effective than blue dye alone. This study shows that the magnetic tracer introduced in 2017 has significantly enhanced early breast cancer care in a rural setting.

Article
SUMMARY

Psychosocial care in DHB-based stroke services in Aotearoa: a survey of current practice

Felicity A S Bright, John Davison, Ginny Abernethy

Wellbeing is often affected by stroke and should be supported by stroke services. We conducted a survey of stroke services throughout New Zealand to explore how they identified issues and how they support people with stroke. We found that there is real inconsistency within cities and across regions in New Zealand. There are limited supports available to people who are struggling after stroke. We are now developing resources to help improve services for people with stroke.

Article
SUMMARY

The impact of AI and ChatGPT on research reporting

Zubair M Mojadeddi, Jacob Rosenberg

ChatGPT is an AI tool that can help researchers with various aspects of writing scientific articles, such as finding relevant literature, organizing ideas, and even writing different sections of an article. The quality of its output has not been formally compared to human work and it has some limitations, including occasional incorrect answers. Though it's not yet on par with professional medical writers, AI tools like ChatGPT could potentially change the way research is reported in the future.

Viewpoint
SUMMARY

Inclusive medical education for students with disabilities: a new guidance document from Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand

Dabrina Issakhany, Peter Crampton, members of the Medical Deans Inherent Requirements Review Working Group

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) is the peak body representing all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. MDANZ reviewed its 2017 guidelines related to selecting and supporting medical students with disabilities, and developed new recommendations. MDANZ recommends that medical schools adopt an inclusive, strengths-based approach to recruiting and supporting medical students with disabilities. A strengths-based and inclusive culture within medical schools is essential. Medical schools should adopt an individualised, context-specific and inclusive approach based on early, open dialogue with students with disabilities. As social norms and technologies evolve, regular re-examination of guidance on how to support potential or current medical students with a disability will be necessary.

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