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Biomedical subjects

J Murtagh

Publications and source records attributed to J Murtagh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Emergency care: an overview.

Emergency care is a most important component in general practice. Practitioners are often judged by their ability to deliver appropriate life saving care sometimes in difficult circumstances. An ever present challenge is the maintenance of knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with emergencies. Table 3 lists the many emergencies that general practitioners have to consider to be prepared for and that includes regular updating in the basic skills of resuscitation.

Australia↗
PubMed1994

Survey of general practitioner instructions to oral contraceptive users.

The study indicates that this group of metropolitan general practitioners is generally well informed about the increased risk that missed pills, malabsorption or antibiotics causes. Nevertheless, there is considerable confusion about the effect on contraception efficacy and few respondents use the Family Planning Movement's '7 day rule'. The authors would like to recommend that the pharmaceutical companies and family planners put more effort into advertising this simple set of instructions for women who miss pills, have diarrhoea or vomiting or use antibiotics. There is also merit in inviting patients who have concerns to contact their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist for advice. There are occasions when the '7 day rule' may not be necessary, such as transient vomiting or diarrhoea, or both, of less than 12 hours when the patient can be advised to take an extra active tablet from a spare pack and continue with the rest of the pack as usual. Consultations involving prescriptions for oral contraception represent an excellent opportunity for health promotion and preventive medicine.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Acute abdominal pain: a diagnostic approach.

The author presents a diagnostic approach to the problem of acute abdominal pain in adults. The typical pain patterns for the various causes are outlined with the aid of illustrations. A systematic method is necessary to make reasonably accurate provisional diagnoses. A summary of possible investigations is included for each condition.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1994

Low back pain: pitfalls in management.

As for so many presenting problems, the management of low back pain is besieged by several pitfalls. Most of these pitfalls can be blamed on 'not knowing and not looking'. It is important, therefore, to be familiar with the various causes of low back pain and recognise their clinical patterns. In particular it is vital to be aware of the pain patterns of serious spinal disease, such as neoplasia and infection, and to recognise the difference in pain patterns of inflammatory and mechanical disorders and tailor treatment accordingly. In many patients mechanical and inflammatory patterns can co-exist to produce a combined profile (Figure 1). Early accurate diagnosis should be the main objective in the management of low back pain.

Humans↗