scholarly journals Public understanding of intersex: an update on recent findings

Author(s):  
Peter Hegarty ◽  
Annette Smith

AbstractSurgical interventions on infants with intersex characteristics are considered justified by some on the grounds that they carry a high risk of intolerable stigma. However, public understanding of intersex and its medicalization are under-researched. We review recent qualitative and quantitative studies of the understandings of intersex and its medicalization among people who have no particular professional or public experience of intersex. First, such laypeople reason about clinical dilemmas by drawing on values in similar ways as expert healthcare professionals do. Second, laypeople can over-estimate the utility of current ‘umbrella terms,’ including intersex, for people with direct familial experience of intersex. Third, beliefs about good and bad effects of medical intervention are affected by framing intersex as either a medical condition or the natural basis for a social identity. Fourth, sexual identity is the best evidenced predictor of opinions about early surgical intervention and its legal limitation on human rights grounds. We argue that possible stigmatizing reactions from the public may not be a solid basis on which to justify early surgical intervention on intersex characteristics.

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Iyad Fansa ◽  
Mesut Kösem ◽  
Celalettin Karatepe ◽  
Adem Sezen ◽  
Hilal Kuşcu Karatepe ◽  
...  

Radiocephalic fistula (RCF) dysfunction is a common problem due to low maturation and patency rates of these fistulas. The most common procedure in such cases is to place a temporary catheter for the dialysis. Temporary catheter placement and undergoing dialysis with this catheter cause complications, reduce the chance for fistula, and deteriorate the quality of life. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that immediate intervention in RCF dysfunctions can increase fistula success for the patient and can reduce the need for a catheter. Furthermore, the hemodialysis treatment can continue without affecting the quality of life. A total of 295 patients who were admitted for RCF dysfunction and who underwent early surgical intervention without any catheter placement were evaluated for postoperative complications, patency rates, and rates and durations of temporary catheter use over a mean time of 47 months of follow-up (range: 4–79 months). Of the patients, 77.2% (n = 228) underwent new proximal anastomosis (NEO; the radial artery and cephalic vein were reached with an incision created proximal to the previous anastomosis), 14.2% (n = 42) underwent brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF), 8.4% (n = 25) underwent side-to-side brachiobasilic AVF + superficialization of the basilic vein. In 88.8% (n = 262) of the patients, successful cannulations were performed within the first 24 to 48 hours without any catheter requirement or complications. Temporary catheter was used for 15.1 ± 10.7 days in 11.2% (n = 33) of the patients. In RCF dysfunctions, early surgical interventions performed in the forearm and elbow provide early cannulation and thus decrease the catheter requirement, also prevent the complications of temporary catheters (infection, decreasing the fistula success, vascular injuries, etc.), increase the autogenous fistula success, and allow for the continuation of dialysis without disturbing the quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 2502
Author(s):  
T. R. S. Prudhvi Raju ◽  
Shivani B. Paruthy ◽  
Sajith K. Mohan ◽  
Dawood I. Wani ◽  
Jaspreet S. Bajwa ◽  
...  

Pneumoperitoneum is more pathognomonic of ruptured hollow viscera which requires urgent surgical intervention. But uncommon surgical entities may present with pneumoperitoneum. Splenic abscess is a relatively rare medical condition that results from bacteraemia. Pneumoperitoneum in a ruptured splenic abscess is very uncommon and is often misdiagnosed as a perforation. Spontaneous rupture of splenic abscess is a life-threatening emergency mandating early surgical intervention. We report a case of ruptured splenic abscess which presented with peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum, managed successfully by splenectomy.


10.26458/1818 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-190
Author(s):  
Jakub ADAMKIEWICZ

The subject of the article is an organization of local government authorities in the implementation of tasks related to security and defence. Attention is focused on issues of employment and organization of work. The issues addressed relate to the adequacy of employees’ knowledge and experience within the limits of their professional duties, the adaptation of the number of employees to the purpose of the tasks and the public opinion on the activities of the security bureaus. The article is based on the results of the qualitative and quantitative studies carried out within the framework of the project ”Local self-government in Polish non-military defence system” conducted by the Department of Security and Defence Systems from the Faculty of Logistics in Military, University of Technology, during 2015-2016, in Mazowieckie Province.  


2004 ◽  
Vol 155 (11) ◽  
pp. 487-491
Author(s):  
Christina Giesch Shakya

The current study examines the importance of planning and management documents (notably the forest management plan and the regional forest plan) for public relations purposes. 17 people (15 forest engineers and 2 forest guards) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results of our survey show that some of the information used for public relations is taken from the planning documents. The forest management plan is primarily considered to be an internal document, but it also provides information on the objectives of forest enterprises, justifications of the planned measures, numbers and maps. The regional forest plan contributes to the public relations in three ways: its content provides information about objectives, description of forest functions, projects and measures. In addition, the participation of the public in the process of elaborating this plan is an ideal opportunity to heighten awareness in society and further public understanding of the forest and forestry services. Finally, as the regional forest management plan is in the public domain, it functions as a type of «show case» of the forest service.


2016 ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Dinh Binh Tran ◽  
Dinh Tan Tran

Objective: To study nosocomial infections and identify the main agents causing hospital infections at Hue University Hospital. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 385 patients with surgical interventions. Results: The prevalence of hospital infections was 5.2%, surgical site infection was the most common (60%), followed by skin and soft tissue infections (35%), urinary tract infections (5%). Surgical site infection (11.6%) in dirty surgery. There were 3 bacterial pathogens isolated, including Staphylococcus aureus (50%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcusspp (25%). Conclusion: Surgical site infection was high in hospital-acquired infections. Key words: hospital infections, surgical intervention, surgical site infection, bacteria


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Torrent-Sellens ◽  
Ana Jiménez-Zarco ◽  
Francesc Saigí-Rubió

BACKGROUND Increasingly intelligent and autonomous robots are destined to have a huge impact on our society. Their adoption, however, represents a major change to the healthcare sector’s traditional practices, which, in turn, poses certain challenges. To what extent is it possible to foresee a near-future scenario in which minor routine surgery is directed by robots? And what are the patients’ or general public’s perceptions of having surgical procedures performed on them by robots, be it totally or partially? A patient’s trust in robots and AI may facilitate the spread and use of such technologies. OBJECTIVE The goal of our study was to establish the factors that influence how people feel about having a medical operation performed on them by a robot. METHODS We used data from a 2017 Flash Eurobarometer (number 460) of European Commission with 27,901 citizens aged 15 years and over in the 28 countries of the European Union. The research designs and tests a technology acceptance model (TAM). Logistic regression (odds ratios, OR) to model the predictors of trust in robot-assisted surgery was calculated through motivational factors, robots using experience and sociodemographic independent variables. RESULTS The negative relationship between most of the predictors of ease of use, expected benefits and attitude towards robots, and confidence in robot-assisted surgery was contrasted. The only non-sociodemographic predictor variable that has a positive relationship with trust in robots participating in a surgical intervention is previous experience in the use of robots. In this context, we analyze the confidence predictors for three different levels of robot use experience (zero use, average use, and high use). The results obtained indicate that, as the experience of using robots increases, the predictive coefficients related to information, attitude and perception of robots become more negative. Research results also determined that variables of a sociodemographic nature played an important predictive role. It was confirmed that the effect of experience on trust in robots for surgical interventions was greater among men, people between 40 and 54 years old, and those with higher educational levels. CONCLUSIONS Despite the considerable benefits for the patient that the use of robots can bring in a surgical intervention, the results obtained show that trust in robots goes beyond rational decision-making. By contrasting the reasons that generate trust and mistrust in robots, especially by highlighting the experience of use as a key element, the research makes a new contribution to the state of the art and draws practical implications of the use of robots for health policy and practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1336
Author(s):  
Toshifumi Takahashi ◽  
Shinya Somiya ◽  
Katsuhiro Ito ◽  
Toru Kanno ◽  
Yoshihito Higashi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cystine stone development is relatively uncommon among patients with urolithiasis, and most studies have reported only on small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. We evaluated clinical courses and treatment outcomes of patients with cystine stones with long-term follow-up at our center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients diagnosed with cystine stones between January 1989 and May 2019. Results: The median follow-up was 160 (range 6–340) months, and the median patient age at diagnosis was 46 (range 12–82) years. All patients underwent surgical interventions at the first visit (4 extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, 5 ureteroscopy, and 13 percutaneous nephrolithotripsy). The median number of stone events and surgical interventions per year was 0.45 (range 0–2.6) and 0.19 (range 0–1.3) after initial surgical intervention. The median time to stone events and surgical intervention was 2 years and 3.25 years, respectively. There was a significant difference in time to stone events and second surgical intervention when patients were divided at 50 years of age at diagnosis (p = 0.02, 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: Only age at a diagnosis under 50 was significantly associated with recurrent stone events and intervention. Adequate follow-up and treatment are needed to manage patients with cystine stones safely.


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