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Irish Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) Survey 1991, with special reference to population and habitat use in cutaway bogland.
No full textThe grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is an endemic breeding bird in Ireland. A decline in the population reported towards the end of the 19th century, has continued to the present day. The most recent survey has reported partridges in only ten 10-km squares (
A survey of two discrete populations on two cutaway boglands (Boora and Lullymore) was conducted in August 1991. Data on the remaining population on the cutaways and on the breeding success of the population based on a total August count of a 4-km2 sample of each area were recorded. 23 partridges, 96 pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, plus some snipes, Gallinago gallinago, mallards, Anas platyrhynchos, hares, Lepus timidus, and a corncrake, Crex crex, were flushed. Clear differences were seen between the two cutraways with greater numbers of pheasants on Lullymore and partridges on Boora. The present density of partridges at Boora is estimated 2-3 pairs.km2 of suitable habitat and approximately half this at Lullymore cutaway. The absence of any coveys of more than six birds would suggest poor breeding performance in 1991. This work highlights the seriousness of the decline of the grey partridge in Ireland, the importance of the cutaway bogs for the remaining birds and the urgent need for a more in-dept study, with management of the species if we are to conserve it for future generations.</p
Communication skills training in undergraduate medicine: attitudes and attitude change.
No full textThe importance of communication skills training in undergraduate medical education is now widely accepted. However little is known about student attitudes towards their own communication skills and whether their attitudes changes as a result of participating in communication skills courses. The aim of the present study was to identify these attitudes prior to commencing such a course and to further evaluate changes in these attitudes on completion of the course. Results demonstrated an improvement in perceived confidence regarding a number of specific communication skills. The study provides further evidence of the value of such courses in undergraduate medical training.</p
Head injury: looking beyond the patient.
No full textHead injury has been documented as the leading cause of death and disability for individuals under 35 years.1 Road traffic accidents are the major cause in the under 65 age group, and account for more than 50% of all fatal and severe head injuries. 2 Domestic accidents such as falling down stairs are also significant causes of traumatic brain injuries, particularly among children and older people. Assaults account for up to 20% of head injuries in adults, and approximately 4% in children. Injuries in the latter are frequently associated with child abuse. Occupational and recreational accidents are less common causes of head injury, accounting for as little as 8% and 7%, respectively, of all cases hospitalised with serious head injuries.</p
Communication skills training in undergraduate medicine.
No full textGood communication with patients is now recognised as the cornerstone in effective medical practice. Medical students do not automatically acquire the art of good communication through clinical training. A new course to promote the development of communication skills at undergraduate level is described. The course was provided at the juncture between pre-clinical and clinical training. Course evaluation illustrated the value of the course as perceived by students themselves and highlighted the areas of greatest need for students in communication skills training.</p
Factors affecting the breeding performance of the Magpie (Pica pica) in three European cities.
No full textThe breeding biology of the Magpie (Pica pica) was studied in three European towns: Dublin 1981-1983, Zielona Góra 1984-1987 and Slupsk 1987-1988. Information was gathered on breeding success from 316 nests observed from the ground (162 Zielona Góra, 154 Slupsk), and 115 nests by direct observation of contents (93 Dublin 22 Zielona Góra)</p
Pathways to child hospitalization : psychological, social and medical factors associated with the admission to hospital of children with gastroenteritis : a study of mothers and doctors.
No full text
Gastroenteritis is a common self-limiting illness of childhood. Hospital treatment, except in severe cases, involves treatment which is the same as that given at home on medical advice or on parents' own knowledge. Nevertheless, in Ireland over 2,000 young children are hospitalized annually with this diagnosis. The objective of this study was to examine the reasons for the hospitalization of young children with gastroenteritis, with a view to decreasing the incidence of medically unnecessary admissions.
Doctors and mothers were interviewed. For GPs and Casualty. Doctors (the primary providers of the medical management of gastroenteritis), management decisions and the factors influencing them were systematically evaluated. Family and home circumstances of children hospitalized for gastroenteritis were compared with the circumstances of families managing gastroenteritis at home. Combining the two sources of information the major role of the individual doctor in the management of gastroenteritis emerged. The findings of the present study indicate that there is considerable scope for improvement in present. gastroenteritis management. Possible improvements have been suggested at the level of GPs' and mothers' management, and at the level of management intermediate between the GP and hospitalization. These suggestions have been made in the light of the current situation in health care in Ireland.
The report consists of four main sections. The problem of gastro- enteritis as it is relevant to this study is outlined in Section I. The background and the research work concerning doctors and their decision-making is presented in the next section (Section 2 ) . Following this is a detailed comparison of the child and family circumstances of those with gastroenteritis who have been managed at home and in hospital (Section 3). The final section (Section 4) presents information on the most fruitful alternatives to hospitalization as suggested by study findings and the current Irish situation. An executive summary of the main findings of the study is provided at the beginning of the report.
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