Revision of the medicolegal assessment criteria in hypovolemic patients.

Trauma scoring systems are often used for the determination of the severity level of the lesion and the clinical status in medico-legal assessment of the trauma patient. Trauma scoring systems are used also for the determination of the life-threatening conditions. Blood loss of more than 20% was reported as the only criterion for life-threatening conditions in the acute hypovolemia.

Nursing students' approaches toward euthanasia.

Background: In Turkey, which is a secular, democratic nation with a majority Muslim population, euthanasia is illegal and regarded as murder. Nurses and students can be faced with ethical dilemmas and a lack of a legal basis, with a conflict of religious beliefs and social and cultural values concerning euthanasia. The aim of this study was to investigate undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards euthanasia.

Pediatric malpractice: an overview of Turkey.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate juridical and medical responsibilities of health-care professionals accused of malpractice in Turkey while they care for patients under the age of 18.

Methods: The cases sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine Institution by the courts, including claims of medical malpractice (n = 1458), in order to get an expert opinion between 2002 and 2006, were examined retrospectively. Cases of negligence by health-care professionals who gave medical care to children between the ages of 0 and 18 were evaluated statistically.

[The investigation of frequency of cystic echinococcosis in the autopsies committed in the Speciality Department of Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute].

Cystic echinococcosis, which is caused by a parasite called Echinococcus granulosus, is a disease frequently find in the liver and in the lungs. In many countries, it is an important public-health problem. This study was done to find out the prevalence of Cystic echinococcosis in forensic autopsies performed for sudden death cases.

Attitudes to euthanasia in ICUs and other hospital departments.

The aim of this study was to reveal doctors' and nurses' attitudes to euthanasia in intensive care units and surgical, internal medicine and paediatric units in Turkey. A total of 205 doctors and 206 nurses working in several hospitals in Istanbul participated. Data were collected by questionnaire and analysed using SPSS v.

Evaluation of forensic perinatal and neonatal autopsies in Istanbul.

Objective: Autopsy findings play an important role in prevention of perinatal and neonatal deaths. Therefore, we attempted to reveal demographic and forensic features of these deaths in Turkey.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed autopsy reports for 184 cases of perinatal deaths released from Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute Morgue between 2000 and 2002 and investigated demographic and medico-legal features of the cases.

Health professionals' attitude toward euthanasia: a cross-sectional study from Turkey.

There is an ongoing debate on the definition of euthanasia and attempts to change laws about euthanasia and its practice in many countries. It is the medical doctors and the other health professionals who will elucidate the issue. Therefore, we performed this study to reveal attitude of Turkish health professionals toward euthanasia.

Medico-legal child deaths in Istanbul: data from the Morgue Department.

Background: Before determining health policies, finding solutions to problems and taking precautions, one should define the problems and their regional and national dimensions. Data about causes of death vary from country to country and, therefore, it is clear that precautions should be based on regional data and needs, which will be more effective.

Method: The authors reviewed deaths among children aged 1 month to 18 years, whose autopsies were performed in the Morgue Department, State Institute of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, between 2000 and 2002.

Attitudes of oncologists toward euthanasia in Turkey.

There have been intensive debates about euthanasia and attempts to change laws on euthanasia in all countries. What doctors and particularly oncologists think about euthanasia must be taken into consideration, as their voices are crucial in this dialogue. The aim of this study was to find out how Turkish doctors approach euthanasia in the context of cancer.

Structural changes of smooth muscle in congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Background/purpose: Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis. Previous studies have reported that the excess amount of collagen restricting mobility and resiliency of the UPJ is the result of an impaired collagen production by anomalous smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Our purpose was to evaluate the role of SMC differentiation in the pathogenesis of UPJ obstruction.

Nursing and midwifery malpractice in Turkey based on the Higher Health Council records.

Medical malpractice has attracted the attention of people and the media all over the world. In Turkey, malpractice cases are tried according to both criminal and civil law. Nurses and midwives in Turkey fulfill important duties in the distribution of health services.

Trans-metatarsal amputation as a complication of child sexual abuse.

A case of chronic physical abuse and acute sexual abuse via anal penetration complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and subsequent bilateral trans-metatarsal amputation is reported. A 13-year-old male presented with old cigarette burns on his chest and acute anal laceration. Four days after laceration repair, he developed DIC and ARDS.

Euthanasia education for health professionals in Turkey: students change their opinions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of euthanasia education on the opinions of health sciences students. It was performed among 111 final year students at the College of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. These students train to become paramedical professionals and health technicians.

[Legal liability and medico-legal problems of surgeons in Turkey].

Medicine, as a profession, is quite a hard commitment, with the main aim of giving care to patients. Physicians assume professional accountability not only to their patients and relatives but also to legal authorities. In case of insufficiency in exercising this multi-dimensional accountability, they may confront legal and ethical issues.