The dying patient: teaching doctors to care

This article discusses the question of teaching doctors the humanistic components of caring for the dying. The difficulties of learning in the affective domain are compounded by the modern social attitude to death, which serves to distance the caregiver from the dying patient at the time of his greatest need. Values and attitudes can be taught. Experiential learning, supported by group discussion, is an accepted and available strategy but ethical decision-making is best taught by example and suitable attitudes can only be developed by teachers who have emotionally accepted their own mortality. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of teachers, with the right attitudes and skills, who will serve as suitable role models for our students.

The prevalence of seat belt use in Jamaica: an observational study

An observational cross-sectional survey showed that 21.1 percent of private motor vehicle drivers and 13.5 percent of front seat passengers voluntarily wore seat belts in Kingston, Jamaica, where there is no law requiring this. Rear passenger utilisation was not examined. Compared to males, females were significantly more likely to wear seat belts when driving but not as front seat passengers. Of all motor vehicles examined 10.1 percent were not equipped with seat belts. The oldest group of vehicles were mostly not fitted with seat belts. Drivers of older vehicles were significantly less likely to use seat belts even when the vehicles were equipped with belts. Implementation of legislation can reduce mortality, morbidity and costs from road traffic accidents which are relatively frequent in Jamaica. Male drivers, drivers of older vehicles and all passengers may require specific targeting in an educational and enforcement campaign should legislation, which is highly desirable, be implemented

Burn care: symposium proceedings, 1988-1989

Burn injuries form a major part of the spectrum of trauma which absorbs so much of the health care resources in developing countries. The Jamaica Burn Programme was established to address this problem, through the collection and analysis of local information about burns and through the education of health and other interested professionals in the prevention and care of burn injuries. The first step was the establishment of a Burn Unit in May 1986 at the 500 bed University Hospital of the West Indies. The following year, a Post Basic Course for nurses was introduced and, to date three groups have graduated from this programme. In June 1988, a three day international symposium was held at the Medical Faculty of the University of the West Indies. One year later, a smaller meeting was held.The papers at both of these covered many relevant areas of burn care and were of excellent quality. The editors consider themselves fortunate to have been able to collect the majority of them for publication. This text is provided for the benefit of those who have the responsibility for promoting burn prevention or for caring for those with burn injuries

The epidemiology of burn injury

Traces the epidemiology of burn injury in Jamaica

Chemical burns: the Jamaican experience

Presents an analysis of chemical burns at three hospitals in Jamaica