The Psychosomatic Approach to Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

Background: Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) are growing in numbers throughout the U.S. and abroad, with numerous staffing configurations, telemedicine, and differing imaging capabilities. We aimed to test the diagnostic accuracy and treatment safety, alongside time to diagnosis and treatment delivery of a novel advanced practice provider (APP) led MSU team. Methods: We launched an MSU housing a hospital-grade Siemens Somatom CT with CTA capabilities, and hired APPs with advanced neurovascular practitioner board certification to lead field medical diagnosis and order/initiate treatment for encountered stroke patients. Consecutive MSU patients were evaluated for differences between APPs and Vascular Neurologists (VNs) diagnosis and management, and scene diagnosis and treatment times were collected. Results: Agreement between APP field medical diagnosis and MD hospital diagnosis was 100%; stroke mimic diagnosis agreement was 98%. Overall agreement for field interpretation of CT/CTA was 97%, with discrepancies not associated with stroke treatment decisions. MDs’ agreement with APPs’ identification/treatment of ICH was 100%, and IVtPA treatment decisions 98% (APPs more conservative). Scene arrival to medical diagnosis (including clinical exam and imaging completion/interpretation) ranged from 7-10 minutes, of which 4 minutes were CT/CTA start to finish times. Scene arrival to IVtPA bolus ranged from 16 minutes to 33 minutes and was driven primarily by need for control of excessive hypertension, with scene arrival to start of nicardipine premix infusion ranging from 10-14 minutes. Conclusions: Use of an APP-led MSU is safe and non-inferior to VN diagnosis/management, and may be faster than telemedicine guided MSU treatment.

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A Discourse on Mass Media and Society

Media Influence ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-3929-2.ch023 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 422-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nneoma A. Anozie

Keyword(s):

Mass Media ◽

Media Studies ◽

Media Literacy ◽

Medical Diagnosis ◽

Social Systems ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Media Ethics ◽

Medical Issues ◽

Perceived Effects ◽

The Media

Mass media and society, a popular concept in media studies, has constituted much discourse due to roles media play in society and perceived effects that can result thereof. This chapter is inspired by the term ‘medicalization of the society' whereby ailments are regarded as medical issues and subjected to medical diagnosis and treatment, regardless of their true causes. Similarly, the violence, moral decadence and ethno-religious crises witnessed in the society are largely ascribed to the media. This chapter examined the said effects of mass media with society's social systems, cultures and values, with a view to finding a relationship. It argues that these societal makeups especially ones as formidable as Africa's also affect largely members' conducts and reactions to media contents. However, it advocates children's news segment, adherence to media ethics, and use of media programmes to enhance learning, proper socialization, abolishment of negative cultures, media literacy among others.

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