A 13-year old Malay girl presented with multiple parasuicide attempts. She made multiple attempts at suicide and at the last attempt she developed liver damage. This article discusses the etiology and different methods used to prevent future suicidal attempts in this patient.
The knowledge of 16 medical officers and 21 house officers from the Department of Medicine regarding the technique of using the pressurised metered dose inhaler (MDI) was evaluated. The doctors were interviewed individually and each was requested to demonstrate the use of a placebo inhaler. Only 21.6% of the participants correctly performed all the ten steps considered to constitute correct inhalation technique. The most common mistake was failure to actuate the inhaler at the start of breathing in through the mouth. Although inhaler technique was better among the medical officers, all of whom claimed to have instructed patients on the use of pressurised MDIs, house officers who were also involved in patient instruction performed equally well. Unfortunately, doctors with inadequate technique had also instructed patients and this could be one of the causes of incorrect technique among patients. Key words: Correct technique, doctors, pressurised metered dose inhaler
Smoking cessation helps patients with COPD more than any specific medical treatment. By commencing treatment early, the main symptoms of COPD, i.e. cough, dyspnoea, and excessive mucus production, can be relieved and premature mortality from respiratory failure can, in many cases, be prevented. An anticholinergic aerosol offers the greatest bronchodilator benefit with the least side-effects to a patient with COPD. After maximising the dosage of an anticholinergic agent, either an inhaled beta2-agonist or oral theophylline may be added for additional bronchodilator effects. Corticosteroids may be beneficial in a subset of the patients. Selected patients with exercise limitation despite optimal medical therapy may gain from an increased sense of well-being enrolled in a supervised exercise rehabilitation progromrne. Long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy improves survival for patients who are chronically hypoxaemic. Antibiotics are reserved for acute exacerbations. The role of alpha-1-antitrypsin replacement and lung transplantation is still investigational.
The cultural and socioeconomic determinants (including the accessibility, costs and perceived effectiveness of medical care) of why and how individuals engaged in health-improving behaviours are essential information for policy makers in designing strategies towards increasing the efficient utilisation of public health services and interventions. Studies on such determinants are particularly needed for urban populations given their socioeconomic and cultural heterogeneity.
MeSH terms: Malaysia; Public Health; Urban Population
A study was done in 1987 to find out the attitudes and perceptions of patients toward treatment in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). A similar study was repeated five years later covering both patients and relatives of patients. In 1987, 17% of patients were not satisfied with the treatment mainly because of poor patient-staff relationship. In 1991, 5% of the patients were dissatisfied. The reasons attributed for their dissatisfaction were rudeness of staff, the presence of medical students and attitude of the patients and public of the nurses. There was a positive change of attitude of the aptients and public towards the hospital services after five years. Factors that lead to this improvement like education and better public relations is discussed.
MeSH terms: Attitude; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Public Relations; Patient Satisfaction
A case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome induced by clindamycin resulting in total shedding of all the nails is reported to highlight the rarity and severity of the drug reaction.
A survey of laws and regulations governing the practice of radiology by general practitioners in Malaysis and ten other selected countries wascarried out. It showedvaryingdegrees oflegal restrictions on the use of x-ray machines in the countries studied. Most regulations reflected the concern of radiation protection forpatients andstaff. Only some countries provide training for non-medical persons in the use of x-ray machines. Radiology has an important role in primary care. Undergraduate and post-graduate education should ensure competence in basic radiological practice. KEYWORDS: X-ray, general practice, regulations.
MeSH terms: Family Practice; Legislation as Topic; Malaysia; Primary Health Care; Private Practice; Radiation Protection; Radiology; General Practitioners