Sociological analysis of the medical field: using Bourdieu to understand the processes preceding medical doctors' specialty choice and the influence of perceived status and other forms of symbolic capital on their choices.

Several studies have demonstrated that medical students and doctors rank specialties differently in terms of perceived status and prestige. At the same time some of the specialties have problems with recruiting and retaining staff. This study aimed to understand what constitutes status and prestige in the medical field and how it influences medical doctors' choice of specialty. By using a sociological perspective and applying Bourdieu's theoretical concepts of field, symbolic capital and perceived status, we analysed young doctors' journeys towards their chosen specialty. We conducted 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using content analysis. The findings suggest that medical specialties carry different social status. In the field of power, surgery is seen as the most prestigious of all specialties. However, in the future it might be a less attractive choice when young doctors tend to view their profession less as an identity and more like a job. For specialties perceived as low status, the challenge is to raise popularity by better describing to young doctors the characteristics and advantages of these specialties.

COMT genotype and non-recovery after a whiplash injury in a Northern European population.

BACKGROUND: The COMT (Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase) gene may influence a person's vulnerability to develop long-term pain and some COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may associate with patterns of acute or chronic pain. Many patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) suffer from long-term pain and other related symptoms, but it is less known if genetic factors play a role in the recovery process. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether self-reported non-recovery, including pain, was related to COMT genotype in patients with WAD. The secondary aim was to investigate whether or not background factors, including mental health, were related to genotype and non-recovery. METHODS: A total of 133 patients with neck pain after a whiplash trauma were included. Background factors were collected and blood samples were taken during the acute phase after the accident. DNA was isolated from blood and used to genotype the SNPs rs6269, rs4633, rs4818 and rs4680 in the COMT gene; additionally haplotypes were estimated and haplogenotypes inferred. The patients were followed up after 12 months and asked to rate their recovery including pain, mental health and quality of life. RESULTS: The overall reported non-recovery rate at 12 months was 44% with no significant differences in distribution of the COMT haplotypes. High levels of self-reported pain (OR 7.2) and anxiety (OR 4.4) after the accident were associated with non-recovery, but not related to the haplotypes. None of the other background factors were related to the haplotypes or non-recovery. CONCLUSION: No association between self-reported non-recovery or pain levels and COMT haplotypes in patients with acute whiplash injuries could be detected. Independent replications are necessary to discard the hypothesis that COMT haplotypes do not influence non-recovery or pain levels in patients with acute whiplash injuries. High levels of initial pain and anxiety were associated with non-recovery, thereby confirming previously published reports.

Markers of inflammation and fibrinolysis in relation to outcome after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. A prospective study on 177 patients.

PURPOSE: The role of inflammation and fibrinolysis for the development of back pain and sciatica has been discussed. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between markers of inflammation and fibrinolysis, to predict the outcome after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: 177 patients were recruited. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen, and D-dimer were analyzed preoperatively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 6-, 12-, and 24- months postoperatively. Dichotomization was made at the median for the laboratory analyses, and between the worst quartile and the other three quartiles for the outcome variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The associations between PAI-1 and outcome seemed to be most prominent at the 6 and 12-month follow-up. When being in the upper half of PAI-1, the OR for being in the worst quartile of VAS back pain 12 months postoperatively was 3.33 (1.56-7.10). The corresponding OR for VAS leg pain was 2.46 (1.18-5.10), for ODI 2.83 (1.35-5.94) and for EQ-5D 2.73 (1.30-5.75). The OR for hsCRP was 2.10 (1.03-4.29) for being in the worst quartile of VAS back pain. Fibrinogen or D-dimer was not associated with any outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS: High PAI-1, a marker of fibrinolysis, was fairly consistently associated with poor outcome, while hsCRP, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were not.

Assessing medical students' communication skills by the use of standardized patients: emphasizing standardized patients' quality assurance.

OBJECTIVE: The objective structured examination is one of the most valid, reliable, and effective tools for assessing clinical and communication skills, often by use of standard patients (SPs). SPs can also be assessors of those skills. One of the crucial areas when utilizing SP-based assessment is the quality and consistency assurance of their portrayal of the case and their ability to fill in checklists in an adequate way. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of SPs' ability to assess students' communication skill via a Calgary-Cambridge checklist. METHOD: This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted at the Tehran University of Medical Science. We first analyzed validity; the criterion validity of the SPs' filling in the checklists was assessed through determining the correlation between the SPs' completed checklists and the checklists filled in by three physician raters individually and then reproducibility: it was assessed by a test-retest approach inter-rater reliability. RESULT: The mean correlation for assessing the validity of SPs' completed checklists by individual SPs was 0.81. The inter-rater reliability was calculated by kappa coefficient, and the total correlation among the three raters was 0.85. The reliability of the test-retest approach showed no significant differences between the test and re-test results. CONCLUSION: The increased number of medical students and different faculties' responsibilities such as doing educational, research, and health services duties assessing medical student communication skills is a complex issue. The results of our study showed that trained SPs can be used as a valid tool to assess medical students' communication skills, which is also more cost effective and reduces work load of medical faculties.

A randomized, single-blind, increasing dose safety trial of an oxygen-carrying plasma expander (Hemospan) administered to orthopaedic surgery patients with spinal anaesthesia.

The objective of this study was to further explore the safety of Hemospan (Sangart Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), an oxygen-carrying plasma expander. The aim of this study was to determine if Hemospan is well tolerated in orthopaedic surgery patients with spinal anaesthesia in doses up to 1 L. Hemospan was previously found to be well tolerated in normal volunteers and orthopaedic surgery patients with spinal anaesthesia in doses up to 500 mL. Five cohorts of six orthopaedic surgery patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, were studied. In each cohort, four patients received Hemospan in doses ranging from 200 to 1000 mL, and two received Ringer's lactate immediately prior to induction of spinal anaesthesia. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs). Iohexol clearance measured before and 24 h after dosing was unaffected. There were 14 adverse events (AEs) in the 10 control patients (1.4 per patient) and 30 in the 20 patients receiving Hemospan (1.5 per patient). One patient in the group receiving 200 mL Hemospan had elevated mean arterial pressure after dosing, but there were no elevations in any of the other patients. The peak plasma Hemospan concentration in the 1000 mL group was 1.3 g dL(-1), with a dose-dependent clearance (T(1/2)) ranging from 14.1 to 23.0 h. Plasma methaemoglobin levels were independent of dose, reaching a maximum at 40 h after dosing and never exceeded 0.125 g dL(-1). Troponin T was transiently elevated in two patients receiving Hemospan without symptoms or electrocardiographic abnormalities or elevation of myocardial creatinine kinase isoenzyme. Hemospan was well tolerated in this group of patients at doses up to 1000 mL.

The use of a virtual patient case in an OSCE-based exam--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study focuses on a skills test based clinical assessment where 118 fourth-year medical students at the four teaching hospitals of Karolinska Institutet participated in the same 12-module OSCE. The goal of one of the twelve examination modules was to assess the students' skills and ability to solve a virtual patient (VP) case (the ISP system), which included medical history taking, lab tests, physical examinations and suggestion of a preliminary diagnosis. AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a VP as a possible tool for assessment of clinical reasoning and problem solving ability among medical students. The feeling of realism of the VP and its possible affective impact on the student's confidence were also investigated. METHOD: We observed and analysed students' reactions, engagement and performance (activity log files) during their interactive sessions with the simulation. An individual human assistant was provided along with the computer simulation and the videotaped interaction student/assistant was then analysed in detail and related to the students' outcomes. RESULTS: The results indicate possible advantages of using ISP-like systems for assessment. The VP was for instance able to reliably differentiate between students' performances but some weaknesses were also identified, like a confounding influence on students' outcomes by the assistants used. Significant differences, affecting the results, were found between the students in their degree of affective response towards the system as well as the perceived usefulness of assistance. CONCLUSION: Students need to be trained beforehand in mastering the assessment tool. Rating compliance needs to be targeted before VP-based systems like ISP can be used in exams and if such systems would be used in high-stake exams, the use of human assistants should be limited and scoring rubrics validated (and preferably automated).

A randomised controlled trial comparing bipolar hemiarthroplasty with total hip replacement for displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients.

The best treatment for the active and lucid elderly patient with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck is still controversial. Randomised controlled trials have shown that a primary total hip replacement is superior to internal fixation as regards the need for secondary surgery, hip function and health-related quality of life. Despite good results achieved with total hip replacement in this group, most orthopaedic surgeons still advocate hemiarthroplasty for this injury. We studied 120 patients with a mean age of 81 years (70 to 90) with an acute displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. They were randomly allocated to be treated with either a bipolar hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement. Outcome measurements included peri-operative data, general and hip-specific complications, hip function and health-related quality of life. The patients were reviewed at four and 12 months. The duration of surgery was longer in the total hip replacement group (102 minutes (70 to 151)) versus 78 minutes (43 to 131) (p<0.001), and the intra-operative blood loss was increased 460 ml (100 to 1100) versus 320 ml (50 to 850) (p<0.001), but there were no differences between the groups regarding any complications or mortality. There were no dislocations in either group. Hip function measured by the Harris hip score was significantly better in the total hip replacement group at both follow-up periods (p=0.011 and p<0.001, respectively). The health-related quality of life measure was in favour of the total hip replacement group but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.818 at four months and p=0.636 at 12 months). These results indicate that a total hip replacement provides better function than a bipolar hemiarthroplasty as soon as one year post-operatively, without increasing the complication rate. We recommend total hip replacement as the primary treatment for this group of patients.

High sensitivity with color duplex sonography in thrombosis screening after ankle fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: Phlebography is regarded as the reference standard for diagnosing asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in studies of thromboprophylaxis. However, technical advances with noninvasive color duplex sonography (CDS) have made this procedure an interesting alternative. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present prospective study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CDS with those of phlebography. PATIENTS: The first 180 consecutive patients included in a larger randomized trial for prolonged thromboprophylaxis were subject to unilateral CDS and to phlebography after ankle fracture surgery. The patients were examined 6 weeks after surgery, all examinations being evaluated blindly. After patient drop outs and exclusions, 144 patients were left for analysis. RESULTS: Phlebography and CDS examinations were inconclusive or were not completed for 19% of these patients (28/144). DVT was diagnosed by phlebography in 21% (24/116) of the remaining patients. Most of the thrombi were isolated calf DVTs (18/24). In contrast, DVT was diagnosed by CDS in 31% of these patients (36/116): only one case diagnosed by phlebography was missed by CDS. The specificity of CDS is thus 86% and its sensitivity is 96%. The positive predictive value is 64%, and the negative predictive value is 99%. CONCLUSIONS: CDS is a safe method for detecting asymptomatic distal DVT. It has a high sensitivity and high negative predictive value, which means that the method is highly reliable to rule out DVT. Our results indicate that CDS could be considered as an alternative method for DVT screening.

Fractures of the shaft of the humerus. An epidemiological study of 401 fractures.

We studied the epidemiology of 401 fractures of the shaft of the humerus in 397 patients aged 16 years or older. The incidence was 14.5 per 100,000 per year with a gradually increasing age-specific incidence from the fifth decade, reaching almost 60 per 100, 000 per year in the ninth decade. Most were closed fractures in elderly patients which had been sustained as the result of a simple fall. The age distribution in women was characterised by a peak in the eighth decade while that in men was more even. Simple fractures were by far the most common and most were located in the middle or proximal shaft. The incidence of palsy of the radial nerve was 8% and fractures in the middle and distal shaft were most likely to be responsible. Only 2% of the fractures were open and 8% were pathological. These figures are representative of a population with a low incidence of high-energy and penetrating trauma, which probably reflects the situation in most European countries.

The standard Gamma nail or the Medoff sliding plate for unstable trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. A randomised, controlled trial.

We studied 217 patients with an unstable trochanteric or subtrochanteric fracture who had been randomly allocated to treatment by either internal fixation with a standard Gamma nail (SGN) or a Medoff sliding plate (MSP, biaxial dynamisation mode). Their mean age was 84 years (65 to 99) and they were reviewed at four and 12 months after surgery. Assessments of outcome included general complications, technical failures, revision surgery, activities of daily living (ADL), hip function (Charnley score) and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL, EQ-5D). The rate of technical failure in patients with unstable trochanteric fractures was 6.5% (6/93) (including intra-operative femoral fractures) in the SGN group and 5.2% (5/96) in the MSP group. In patients with subtrochanteric fractures, there were no failures in the SGN group (n = 16) and two in the MSP group (n = 12). In the SGN group, there were intra-operative femoral fractures in 2.8% (3/109) and no post-operative fractures. There was a reduced need for revision surgery in the SGN group compared with the MSP group (8.3%; 9/108; p = 0.072). The SGN group also showed a lower incidence of severe general complications (p < 0.05) and a trend towards a lower incidence of wound infections (p = 0.05). There were no differences between the groups regarding the outcome of ADL, hip function or the HRQOL. The reduction in the HRQOL (EQ-5D(index) score) was significant in both groups compared with that before the fracture (p < 0.005). Our findings indicate that the SGN showed good results in both trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. The limited number of intra-operative femoral fractures did not influence the outcome or the need for revision surgery. Moreover, the SGN group had a reduced number of serious general complications and wound infections compared with the MSP group. The MSP in the biaxial dynamisation mode had a low rate of failure in trochanteric fractures but an unacceptably high rate when used in the biaxial dynamisation mode in subtrochanteric fractures. The negative influence of an unstable trochanteric or subtrochanteric fracture on the quality of life was significant regardless of the surgical method.

Internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty for displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients with severe cognitive impairment.

We studied 60 patients with an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck and with a mean age of 84 years. They were randomly allocated to treatment by either internal fixation with cannulated screws or hemiarthroplasty using an uncemented Austin Moore prosthesis. All patients had severe cognitive impairment, but all were able to walk independently before the fracture. They were reviewed at four, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Outcome assessments included complications, revision surgery, the status of activities of daily living (ADL), hip function according to the Charnley score and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to the Euroqol (EQ-5D) (proxy report). General complications and the rate of mortality at two years (42%) did not differ between the groups. The rate of hip complications was 30% in the internal fixation group and 23% in the hemiarthroplasty group; this was not significant. There was a trend towards an increased number of re-operated patients in the internal fixation group compared with the hemiarthroplasty group, 33% and 13%, respectively (p = 0.067), but the total number of surgical procedures which were required did not differ between the groups. Of the survivors at two years, 54% were totally dependent in ADL functions and 60% were bedridden or wheelchair-bound regardless of the surgical procedure. There was a trend towards decreased mobility in the hemiarthroplasty group (p = 0.066). All patients had a very low HRQOL even before the fracture. The EQ-5D(index) score was significantly worse in the hemiarthroplasty group compared with the internal fixation group at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). In our opinion, there is little to recommend hemiarthroplasty with an uncemented Austin Moore prosthesis compared with internal fixation, in patients with severe cognitive dysfunction.

Cemented versus uncemented arthroplasty in patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck: a randomised controlled trial.

The aim of this randomised controlled study was to compare functional and radiological outcomes between modern cemented and uncemented hydroxyapatite coated stems after one year in patients treated surgically for a fracture of the femoral neck. A total of 141 patients aged > 65 years were included. Patients were randomised to be treated with a cemented Exeter stem or an uncemented Bimetric stem. The patients were reviewed at four and 12 months. The cemented group performed better than the uncemented group for the Harris hip score (78 vs 70.7, p = 0.004) at four months and for the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assesment Questionnaire dysfunction score at four (29.8 vs 39.2, p = 0.007) and 12 months (22.3 vs 34.9, p = 0.001). The mean EQ-5D index score was better in the cemented group at four (0.68 vs 0.53, p = 0.001) and 12 months (0.75 vs 0.58, p = < 0.001) follow-up. There were nine intra-operative fractures in the uncemented group and none in the cemented group. In conclusion, our data do not support the use of an uncemented hydroxyapatite coated stem for the treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck in the elderly.

Nutritional status, insulin-like growth factor-1 and quality of life in elderly women with hip fractures.

AIM: To evaluate nutritional status and its relation to cognitive and physical function and quality of life in elderly female patients with hip fractures. METHODS: Nutritional status was assessed in 42 women (80+/-7 years old) using the body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold, arm muscle circumference and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its binding protein (BP) IGFBP-1. Handgrip strength was measured. The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire was used to assess cognitive function and the Nottingham Health Profile to asses quality of life. RESULTS: Low BMI (<== 20) and reduced IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 levels were detected in 50% of the patients. BMI correlated with IGF-1 (p<< 0.02) and with hand grip strength (P<< 0.001). Hand grip strength correlated with arm muscle circumference (P<< 0.05). Cognitive dysfunction was detected in 18% of the patients, and a correlation was found between cognitive function and BMI (P<< 0.01). The Nottingham Health Profile assessment indicated a lower quality of life in underweight patients as compared to others (P<< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the elderly women with hip fractures displayed signs of protein-energy malnutrition. Underweight was associated with reduced serum levels of IGF-1, muscle fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and a low quality of life rating, i.e. a cluster of factors which may unfavourably influence the postoperative course in a large proportion of hip fracture patients.

Fracture of the carpal scaphoid. A prospective, randomised 12-year follow-up comparing operative and conservative treatment.

We compared the long-term outcome in 61 patients (62 fractures) treated operatively or conservatively for an acute fracture of the carpal scaphoid. A total of 30 fractures was randomised to conservative treatment using a cast and 32 to operative treatment using a Herbert bone screw. The duration of sick leave was shorter for patients treated by operation, but this was only significant in patients with blue-collar occupations. There were no differences between the groups in respect of function, radiological healing of the fracture, or carpal arthritis after follow-up at 12 years. Those managed by operation showed radiological signs of arthritis of the scaphotrapezial joint more often, but this finding did not correlate with subjective symptoms. Operative treatment of an acute fracture of the scaphoid allows early return of function and should be regarded as an alternative to conservative treatment in patients in whom immobilisation in a cast for three months is not acceptable for reasons related to sports, social life or work.

Internal fixation compared with total hip replacement for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. A randomised, controlled trial.

The treatment algorithms for displaced fractures of the femoral neck need to be improved if we are to reduce the need for secondary surgery. We have studied 102 patients of mean age 80 years, with an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck. They were randomly placed into two groups, treated either by internal fixation (IF) with two cannulated screws or total hip replacement (THR). None showed severe cognitive dysfunction, all were able to walk independently, and all lived in their own home. They were reviewed at four, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Outcome measurements included hip complications, revision surgery, hip function according to Charnley and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to EuroQol (EQ-5D). The failure rate after 24 months was higher in the IF group than in the THR group with regard to hip complications (36% and 4%, respectively; p < 0.001), and the number of revision procedures (42% and 4%, p < 0.001). Hip function was significantly better in the THR group at all follow-up reviews regarding pain (p < 0.005), movement (p < 0.05 except at 4 months) and walking (p < 0.05). The reduction in HRQoL (EQ-5D index score) was also significantly lower in the THR group than in the IF group, comparing the pre-fracture situation with that at all follow-up reviews (p < 0.05). The results of our study strongly suggest that THR provides a better outcome than IF for elderly, relatively healthy, lucid patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck.

Retrograde nailing of femoral fractures distal to a Moore prosthesis.

Fractures distal to uncemented hemiprostheses are difficult to treat. This paper describes a simple procedure: retrograde nailing of femoral fractures below a Moore prosthesis. We report on seven elderly female patients in whom clinical and radiographic evaluations were done after seven to fifteen months. No major complications occurred and all fractures healed. All patients returned to their preinjury level of housing, and all but one regained their preinjury walking status. We conclude that retrograde nailing of a femoral fracture distal to a Moore prosthesis is a quick and simple method that allows immediate mobilization and results in a good functional recovery for elderly, often fragile patients.

Functional outcome and quality of life in patients with Type B ankle fractures: a two-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare a specific score designed for ankle fractures with a general quality-of-life instrument as an outcome measure, and to describe the two-year results for patients with Type B ankle fractures. DESIGN: Follow-up study. SETTING: Large teaching hospital, Sweden. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients, aged nineteen to sixty-three years, treated operatively for Type B ankle fractures. Forty-one patients completed the follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMA score), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the OMA score and SF-36 subscores for physical functioning, physical and emotional role function, social functioning, and bodily pain (p < 0.05). VAS for physical symptoms correlated with the OMA score and with all SF-36 subscores (p < 0.001). The mean OMA score was 84 (standard deviation = 22.5); 64 percent of patients scored 90 or more. Patients with an OMA score <90 more often had a B3-type fracture (p < 0.05) and more often considered themselves as not recovered compared with patients with an OMA score > or =90 (p < 0.001). Only thirteen patients (36 percent) reported a complete recovery. Sixteen patients (44 percent) had work-related problems and twenty-two (61 percent) had some problems with sport activities. The SF-36 subscores for physical functioning, physical and emotional role function, vitality, and mental health were lower compared with an average Swedish population (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the SF-36 Health Survey may be useful in measuring outcome after an ankle fracture, that disability, i.e., self-perceived limitations in everyday life, is common after B-type ankle fractures.

One-year outcome after tibial shaft fractures: results of a prospective fracture registry.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcome in a consecutive series of patients with tibial shaft fractures and to determine whether prospective registration of fracture care produces useful data for clinical purposes. DESIGN: A prospective follow-up study. SETTING: A large teaching hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. PATIENTS: Sixty-four consecutive patients with a tibial shaft fracture. INTERVENTION: Patients were surgically treated according to the protocols at our institute and were followed up prospectively for one year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical outcome, functional results, Short Form 36 Health Survey, Olerud Molander Ankle score, visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The fractures were classified as 42A (61 percent), 42B (31 percent), and 42C (8 percent). Forty-three (67 percent) patients were treated with an interlocked tibial nail. The complication rate was low and associated with high-energy trauma. The quality of life according to the Short Form 36 Health Survey was diminished at four and twelve months after the injury, as compared with the preinjury status. Twelve months after the injury, 44 percent had not regained full function of the injured leg, although all but two of the patients had returned to preinjury working status. CONCLUSIONS: Although the complication rate was low, twelve months after the injury, nearly half the patients still experienced functional limitations related to the fracture, which was also reflected in the quality-of-life parameters. There were difficulties in retrieving data for this registry. We think that periodic, rather than continuous, registration of patient-related outcome after fracture treatment is more beneficial from a clinical and economic point of view.

Patients with recurrent injuries--psychosocial characteristics and injury panorama.

Accidents are often considered to be a direct function of exposure to risk, but this study implies that there are subgroups of patients that expose themselves to more risks than others. Based on a consecutive series of moderately injured patients this study aimed to compare patients with repeated trauma episodes with patients with single trauma. The study showed that the former had experienced more violence during their lives, had a less favourable psychosocial situation and more often reported psychiatric problems and alcohol abuse compared with the latter, confirming the clinical knowledge that injury recurrence is associated with risk factors such as alcohol abuse, pre-existing psychopathology and a propensity towards violence.

Accidental firearm injury in childhood--a predictor of social and medical outcome?

This paper reports register data on a consecutive series of 141 children and teenagers hospitalized due to firearm injuries during a 21-year period in a community with restrictive firearm laws. Most of the injuries were minor and hospitalization was short. Shot by an air gun resulting in an eye injury was the most frequent reason for hospitalization. The patients hospitalized due to firearm injuries were compared with a control group composed of 141 individuals matched pair-wise for sex and age. The total morbidity during the follow-up period of on average 10 years was higher among patients compared with controls concerning both somatic diseases and injuries. All cases of severe psychopathology were found in the patient group. Criminality was higher among patients compared with controls and the former were younger at the time of the first crime compared with the latter. This study indicates that, irrespective of firearm laws, young people suffering from firearm injuries, even if the injury is classified as accidental, run a higher risk of becoming psychosocially disadvantaged and criminal as adults. This makes preventative measures highly necessary not only from a societal point of view, but also to avoid individual suffering in this high-risk group of youngsters.