Side-effects associated with ketamine use in depression: a systematic review.

This is the first systematic review of the safety of ketamine in the treatment of depression after single and repeated doses. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Databases and identified 288 articles, 60 of which met the inclusion criteria. After acute dosing, psychiatric, psychotomimetic, cardiovascular, neurological, and other side-effects were more frequently reported after ketamine treatment than after placebo in patients with depresssion.

Influence of rural background and rural medical training on postgraduate medical training and location in New Zealand.

Aims: To evaluate the influence of the Otago Medical Programme's rural entry pathway and rural immersion programme on postgraduate medical training and location.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 2008-2011 medical school graduates. Rural background/training included students gaining preferential entry to medical training based on rural residence or schooling, and/or those who spent a year training in a rural setting.

Postgraduation retention of medical students from Otago and Auckland medical programmes.

Aim: Auckland and Otago medical programmes have different methods for selecting students. This study compared postgraduate retention in New Zealand (NZ) of medical graduates from the two medical programmes, to assess whether different selection methods influenced retention. Other variables assessed included entrance category and age at graduation.

Factors related to postgraduate retention of medical graduates in New Zealand.

Aims: To examine the influence of a number of variables, including age and medical school entrance category, on postgraduate retention of New Zealand (NZ) medical graduates.

Methods: An anonymised database was created of all graduates from the Otago School of Medicine (1999-2010), with demographic and entry category data. The NZ Medical Register was checked in January 2012 to identify which graduates remained in NZ.

Academic performance and career choices of older medical students at the University of Otago.

Aims: To compare the academic performance and postgraduate career choices of a cohort of medical students who are older and more life experienced at time of medical school entry ("Other Category" students) with students admitted through standard entry admission pathways.

Methods: Examination performance, graduation rates, postgraduate specialisation and geographical location were compared between Other Category students and students entering via Standard Entry admission (including competitive first year entry and competitive graduate entry immediately after completing a Bachelor's degree).

Results: Compared with Standard Entry students, Other Category students had equivalent examination pass rates, significantly higher rates of distinction passes in examinations in Year 2 (OR 1.