Publications by authors named "David Symmons"
Article Synopsis
- Antiemetics are commonly used in emergency medical settings but recent studies suggest they might not effectively reduce nausea and vomiting.
- A systematic review of seven studies found that while antiemetics showed initial effectiveness for nausea and vomiting, the quality of these studies was poor, raising doubts about their reliability.
- The review highlights the need for more rigorous research to confirm antiemetics' efficacy, suggesting their use should be limited to severe cases of nausea and vomiting in pre-hospital care.
Rural hospital generalist and emergency medicine training in Papua New Guinea.
Emerg Med Australas
April 2007
The present paper describes the role of the hospital generalist in rural Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the contribution of emergency medicine training to that practice. Generalist practice in Tinsley District Hospital in Western Highlands Province is described, with emphasis on emergency surgery and anaesthesia. The potential of the PNG emergency medicine training programme for preparing generalists is discussed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKetamine for rapid sequence induction in patients with head injury in the emergency department.
Emerg Med Australas
February 2006
Objective: To examine the evidence regarding the use of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in patients with head injury in the ED.
Method: A literature review using the key words ketamine, head injury and intracranial pressure.
Results: Advice from early literature guiding against the use of ketamine in head injury has been met with widespread acceptance, as reflected by current practice.
Objective: To describe a programme catalyzing the development of emergency medicine in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Methods: Five emergency physicians rotated through a new position of Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine in the University of PNG during 2003. The position was established as a consequence of emergency physician input supported by AusAID in 2002.