This perspective article explores the importance of fostering interest in gastroenterology among medical students and addressing the barriers that deter them from pursuing careers in this specialty. The paper highlights the critical role of early exposure to research, specialized electives, and mentorship in encouraging students to consider gastroenterology as a career choice. Current challenges include limited access to specialized electives and research opportunities within UK medical schools, inadequate hands-on experience, and a perceived lack of stability and control over future training pathways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis comprehensive review addresses the global health challenge of disparities in pancreas transplant access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and immunosuppression for procedures like simultaneous pancreas-kidney, pancreas-after-kidney, and pancreas-transplant alone, LMICs face significant challenges, including limited infrastructure, financial constraints, and a shortage of skilled medical professionals. Donation after brain death remains constrained by sociocultural barriers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: The diagnosis and management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) present significant challenges. Positive outcomes in STS treatment include achieving negative margins, improved quality of life, and reduced recurrence rates, while negative outcomes involve incomplete resection, local recurrence, and surgical complications. This review aims to examine the current state of STS management in SSA, identify key challenges, and propose potential solutions to improve patient outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The prevalence of abdominal injuries in war and conflict zones, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), presents a significant healthcare challenge. These injuries, often resulting from explosive devices, firearms, and shrapnel, lead to high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnoses, inadequate medical infrastructure, and limited access to specialised care. This review aims to summarise the literature on conflict-related abdominal injuries in LMICs, highlighting the impact of such trauma on healthcare systems and patient outcomes, and suggesting strategies for improvement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComplications are plausible events during surgical operations. Surgical complications profoundly impact surgeons, often called "second victims" of adverse events. These complications trigger a range of emotional and psychological responses, including guilt, anxiety, heightened empathy, and the looming threat of burnout.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChromosomal instability (CIN) is a pivotal factor in gliomas, contributing to their complexity, progression, and therapeutic challenges. CIN, characterized by frequent genomic alterations during mitosis, leads to genetic abnormalities and impacts cellular functions. This instability results from various factors, including replication errors and toxic compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMiss Isabella "Ella" Barbour Pirrie (1857-1929) made substantial contributions to nursing through her work in Belfast and Edinburgh. Born to a notable medical family, Pirrie's inclination toward nursing was influenced by her father's profession. She trained at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary and was mentored by Florence Nightingale, whose guidance shaped her nursing philosophy and practices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a shortage of skilled surgical practitioners hampers healthcare delivery, impacting well-being and economic growth. Surgical mentorship programs offer a promising solution but face challenges in implementation. This review aims to comprehensively assess the impact of surgical mentorship programs in LMICs and identify challenges and opportunities for their development and implementation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming oncology and surgery by improving diagnostics, personalizing treatments, and enhancing surgical precision. Patients appreciate AI for its potential to provide accurate prognoses and tailored therapies. However, AI's implementation raises ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and the need for transparent communication between patients and health care providers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the current state of gastroparesis management in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), emphasising recent innovations, persistent challenges, and future prospects. Gastroparesis, a condition characterised by delayed stomach emptying, presents debilitating symptoms and is notably linked to neuropathic disorders, including diabetes mellitus. Despite an apparent higher prevalence in LMICs compared to the global average, epidemiological data remains scarce.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a significant health concern, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This review explores key strategies for managing DFUs in LMICs, including integrating podiatry, endocrinology, and wound care services, educating patients, promoting self-care, and preventive measures to reduce amputation rates.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on studies conducted in Low and Middle Income Countries to facilitate a qualitative analysis.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent and intricate health condition affecting a significant global population, characterized by a cluster of metabolic and hormonal disorders disrupting lipid and glucose metabolism pathways. Clinical manifestations encompass obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension, contributing to heightened risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Existing medications often fall short in addressing the syndrome's multifaceted nature, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and potential long-term health risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAwake craniotomy has emerged as an advanced surgical technique, characterized by keeping the patient awake during brain surgery. In South America, awake craniotomies have grained traction in neurosurgical practices across various medical centres and hospitals, with notable practitioners contributing to its growth and refinement in the region. This study aims to explore the integration and impact of awake craniotomies in South American neurosurgical practices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHereditary cardiomyopathies are commonly occurring myocardial conditions affecting heart structure and function with a genetic or familial association, but the etiology is often unknown. Cardiomyopathies are linked to significant mortality, requiring robust risk stratification with genetic testing and early diagnosis. We hypothesized that health care disparities exist in genetic testing for hereditary cardiomyopathies within clinical practice and research studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExploring the landscape of intracranial aneurysms in South America unravels a complex interplay of epidemiological factors, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic challenges. The study methodically conducts a comprehensive literature review spanning the years 2003 to 2023, focusing on English-language articles obtained from diverse databases to elucidate the multifaceted nature of intracranial aneurysms in the region. Results and discussions categorize outcomes into positive domains, emphasizing successful treatments, favorable recoveries, and high survival rates, while also shedding light on negative aspects such as residual aneurysms and complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Intracranial surgeries are pivotal in treating cerebral pathologies, particularly in resource-limited contexts, utilizing techniques such as craniotomy, transsphenoidal approaches, and endoscopy. However, challenges in low and middle income countries (LMICs), including resource scarcity, diagnostic delays, and a lack of skilled neurosurgeons, lead to elevated perioperative mortality (POM). This review seeks to identify major contributors to these challenges and recommend solutions for improved patient outcomes in neurosurgical care within LMICs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSAGE Open Med
January 2024
Craniosynostosis, marked by premature cranial suture fusion, necessitates prompt intervention to avert developmental, neurological, and aesthetic issues. While high-income countries have advanced in managing this condition, low- and middle-income countries grapple with substantial healthcare access disparities. This narrative review explores current craniosynostosis management in low- and middle-income countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of mortality worldwide, traditionally linked through adverse effects of cancer therapies on cardiovascular health. However, reverse cardio-oncology, a burgeoning field, shifts this perspective to examine how cardiovascular diseases influence the onset and progression of cancer. This novel approach has revealed a higher likelihood of cancer development in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, attributed to shared risk factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper delves into Renal Denervation Therapy as a promising intervention for resistant hypertension in low- and middle-income countries. With rates of hypertension increasing in LMICs due to lifestyle factors, RDN presents a potentially transformative approach. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review, focusing on studies in LMICs that unveil proactive developments in standardized guidelines and precision targeting in clinical trials.
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