Ease of access is a principal factor in the frequency of paracetamol overdose.

BACKGROUND: In Ireland, 30% of non-fatal overdoses involve paracetamol. AIMS: To determine how and where patients obtained paracetamol, to assess awareness of toxicity and examine the relationship between dose and suicidal intent. METHODS: A prospective study of patients admitted following a paracetamol overdose recording their reasons for using paracetamol, their knowledge of its toxicity and their suicidal intent scale (SIS). RESULTS: Of 100 patients, 66% obtained paracetamol in non-pharmacy outlets, 82% cited ease of availability as the reason, 55% were aware of its toxicity, 31% of liver damage and 68% did not read the warning on packets. The mean number of tablets taken was 51.3 for males and 37.2 for females (p < 0.01). Males presented later than females for medical attention (12.5 versus seven hours [p < 0.02]) and more males than females took alcohol (p < 0.03). The mean SIS score was 14.71 for males and 12.38 for females. There was a significant correlation between the SIS and the amount of paracetamol consumed (r = 0.28; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The majority obtained paracetamol in local shops or at home. Knowledge of toxicity and the need for early antidote was poor. There was a significant relationship between suicidal intent and number of tablets consumed. Limiting availability could reduce number of overdoses.

Role of computer technology in medical illustration.

OBJECTIVE: Recent improvements of computer technology have resulted in a new approach to medical illustration and the scientific research process. The purpose of this manuscript is to define the current state of the art and to review paths of progress. CONCLUSION: Using examples, we compared the process of time-intensive hand-rendered art with current art created using new computer technology. Specific emphasis was made on the newest technologies and how high-quality lower cost medical art can now be created. These newly available tools and illustration methods have resulted in a new approach to research, creation, and reproduction of medical art.

The Internet as a potential source of information about radiological procedures for patients.

The purposes of this study were to determine what percentage of patients in a typical radiology outpatient setting own or have access to a computer with internet capabilities and how many of these patients would find an educational radiology website useful. During a 3-month period, surveys were given to all adult outpatients undergoing computed tomography. The survey asked 4 questions: (1) Do you own a computer?, (2) If you own a computer, does it have Internet access?, (3) If you do not own a computer, do you have access to a computer with Internet capabilities?, and (4) If we provide helpful information regarding preparation for and the conduct of various radiological procedures on the Internet, would you use it? Four hundred surveys were collected. Two hundred one of the respondents (50.3%) owned a computer; 189 of the 201 (94.0%) had Internet access on their computer or had access to another computer with Internet capabilities. One hundred ninety-nine of the 400 respondents (49.8%) did not own a computer, 57 of these (28.6%) had access to a computer and the Internet. Of the 246 of those with Internet access, 205 (83.3%) indicated that they would use a website that provided helpful information regarding radiological examinations. The Internet is an excellent resource for educational information for patients about various radiological procedures. This study showed that 61.5% of patients had access to the Internet, and 83.3% of these would use such a site. It is likely that these numbers will increase with the rapid growth of the Internet and the steadily increasing number of homes with computers.