UCC Journals (Univ. College Cork)
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Writing The Pieds-Noirs: The Construction of Pied-Noir Identity in Algerian and French Literature
No full textThis article examines representations of pied-noir identity in contemporary French and Algerian literature by situating them at the intersection of memory studies, postcolonial studies and literary criticism. Engaging with the theoretical frameworks of Homi K. Bhabha and Pierre Nora, it interrogates the ways in which nostalgia, displacement and cultural hybridity are mobilised in Yasmina Khadra’s novel Ce que le jour doit à la nuit (2008) and Patrick Jusseaume’s Non-Retour (2021). Through a comparative close reading of these texts, this article reflects on the contested construction of memory and the divergent narrative strategies used to portray postcolonial subjectivity.
By foregrounding the notion of the third space, the analysis traces how both texts destabilise traditional binary models of coloniser and colonised by placing their protagonists in ambivalent positions of cultural liminality. Khadra’s novel advances a reflexive and often critical portrayal of the French pied-noir settler population, while simultaneously acknowledging the emotional complexity of their attachment to Algeria. Jusseaume’s bande dessinée, by contrast, uses the immediacy of visual storytelling to emphasise the trauma of repatriation, but prefers a depoliticised narrative that omits colonial complicity.
This article contributes to ongoing debates within Francophone postcolonial studies regarding the narrativisation and contestation of settler memory, and the afterlives of empire in both metropolitan and diasporic contexts
Review: Catastrophe: Nakba II, by Fintan Drury
No full textSamavia Zia reviews Catastrophe: Nakba II, by Fintan Drury. Irish Academic Press, 2024. 307 pp. €18.99 (ISBN: 9781785375590
Review: Syrian Stylites: Rereadings and Recastings of Late Ancient Superheroes, edited by Barbara Crostini and Christian Høgel
No full textChloe Tetrault-Kearney reviews Syrian Stylites: Rereadings and Recastings of Late Ancient Superheroes, edited by Barbara Crostini and Christian Høgel (Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 2024), 350 pp. €27.15 (ISBN: 978-91-89840-24-9).
Diversity and cultural differences in preeclampsia beliefs and management practices: a narrative review
No full textPreeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that poses significant risks to maternal and fetal health. Effective management is critical to minimize maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia management practices vary widely across different cultural and geographical settings. This review explores the cultural differences in the beliefs and management of preeclampsia.
High income countries benefit from well-established diagnostic and treatment protocols however, low- and middle-income countries face challenges related to lack of knowledge, resources, and access to care. Cultural factors, including the use of traditional medicine and the influence of family decisions on healthcare, often delay receiving appropriate medical care. In some cultures, traditional birth attendants and community health workers are the primary antenatal carers, but their approaches can conflict with modern medical practices. By understanding these cultural influences in healthcare, it can improve maternal health outcomes.
This review emphasizes the need for culturally competent healthcare, improved training for healthcare workers, and the implementation of standardized protocols globally. By integrating culturally competent practices into maternal healthcare systems and addressing the structural barriers to care, healthcare providers can optimize the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes for women with preeclampsia
The impact of cultural biases and language barriers in emergency care
No full textEmergency departments (ED) serve diverse populations, making it essential to deliver equitable, high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. However, the fast-paced, high-stress environment of EDs, combined with challenges such as language barriers and cultural biases, often impedes this goal. These obstacles have been widely recognized as significant barriers to effective care. Addressing these challenges, as highlighted in the literature, can empower EDs and emergency care providers to enhance patient care quality, promote equity, and ultimately reduce adverse patient outcomes
A rare cause of otalgia - Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis case report
No full textBackground: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a myeloid neoplastic disorder with a rare prevalence of one case per million adults. LCH has a complicated etiology that presents as lesions composed of proliferative ‘LCH cells’. These lesions can affect different organ systems including the lungs, skin, liver, and bone. This study reports the steps toward LCH diagnosis in an adult, the current state of literature in regards to LCH of the temporal bone, and important takeaways for ENT physicians.
Case Report: We describe the case of a 52 year old woman with a two year history of seemingly idiopathic Central Diabetes Insipidus (CDI) complaining of right otalgia for two weeks unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. The patient has a normal otoscopy and audiogram, and an elevated CRP test (22 mg/dl). Further investigations with CT and MRI confirmed destruction of the right mastoid air cells and enhancing tissue respectively. Cholesteatoma was ruled out with diffusion weighted imaging on MRI. Cortical mastoidectomy was performed and histopathological examination of biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of LCH. The patient has a final multisystem (Temporal bone and Pituitary gland) low-risk LCH diagnosis with a great prognosis through chemotherapy and corticosteroid treatment.
Conclusion: Temporal bone and craniofacial manifestations of LCH are often managed by ENT physicians. A plethora of pathologies present with otalgia in ENT practice, but symptoms such as CDI and otalgia with lack of findings on otoscopy should raise suspicion for LCH
A case study on suboptimal asthma control in a pediatric patient: addressing adherence and caregiver concerns
No full textThis case study presents an 8-year-old male patient, B.M., admitted to Cork University Hospital with symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fever (38.5°C). With a history of recurrent asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalization, B.M. has suboptimal asthma control due to poor adherence to inhaled corticosteroids, primarily driven by parental concerns about potential side effects, such as growth stunting. His exacerbations are primarily triggered by viral infections, with recent exposure to a family member with a viral illness. Clinical examination revealed wheezing on expiration, prolonged expiration, and stable vital signs, suggesting a mild to moderate exacerbation.
The literature review highlights asthma as a prevalent pediatric condition, influenced by genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Although not curable, the symptoms of asthma can be well controlled with effective treatment. However, as present in the case, adherence to asthma treatment remains a significant challenge, with one study reporting mean adherence rates as low as 36% to ICS in children –thus hindering the treatment effectiveness. Poor health literacy and side effect anxiety are two reasons for the poor adherence relevant to this case.
To tackle unique difficulties in adhering, the case emphasizes the importance of personalized asthma action plans (PAAPs), which are individualized plans catered to the patients needs/concern. Studies have shown that increased patient involvement in decision making regarding their health results in an increase in the effectiveness of care. It can be discussed with the patient’s caregiver that although some research suggests that ICS may temporarily slightly impact growth, the benefits in preventing severe exacerbations outweigh these risks. This case emphasizes the importance for patient/caregiver engagement, healthcare literacy and tailored treatment plans to optimize asthma management in pediatric populations and prevent long-term consequences
A re-audit of polypharmacy recognition in older patients on admission to an acute hospital
No full textBackground: Polypharmacy has a high overall prevalence of approximately 37%. Left unrecognised, polypharmacy can increase the risk of drug-drug interactions and lead to prescribing cascades. Prompt recognition and management of polypharmacy is essential as it may represent a reversible cause of a patient’s symptoms.
Methods: A re-audit of polypharmacy recognition in Bantry General Hospital was performed. Patients were included if they were aged seventy-five years or older, prescribed 5 or more medications on admission and were in-patients during a 24-hour period on the 10th of September 2024. The presence or absence of polypharmacy as a diagnosis was recorded.
Results: 25 patients were identified as eligible for inclusion. 17 male patients (68%) and 8 female (32%) were included. The median age was 82 years old and ages ranged from 75-99. Polypharmacy was included as a diagnosis in only one of the 25 patients’ admissions (4%), this is a marginal increase from 0 (0%) in the previous audit. The mean number of medications observed was 8.76 (2.7% less than the previous audit). The number of medications prescribed ranged from 5 – 15. The maximum number of prescribed medications reduced from 21 to 15 in the re-audit.
Conclusion: Marginal improvements in the volume of polypharmacy and polypharmacy documentation were observed in this re-audit, however, further efforts are required to reduce this problem. It is important to recognise and document polypharmacy in older patients to reduce the potential for adverse outcomes
