The publication of research studies in scientific journals is the mechanism by which the latest discoveries, interesting information, and new knowledge are formally disseminated to the scientific community. The identification and evaluation of research studies of high scientific merit is an important but difficult task. This article is available only...

Yawning is often noted in medical seminars and conferences – be they surgical, orthopaedic, gastroenterological, endocrinological or neurological. Yet, this condition receives little coverage by professors in medical schools. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

This review article considers the universal definition of blindness, the causes of world/global blindness, and ongoing international efforts in blindness prevention. The prospects for Vision 2020 – 20/20 or 6/6 visual acuity for all by year 2020 – worldwide, and for Singapore in particular, and whether it is relevant...

With the return of “You Know Who” (YKW) and the rise of Death Eaters, injuries amongst both muggle and wizarding folk (MF and WF) have escalated. Muggle medicine, with its quaint dependence on potions and “technology”, is inadequate to deal with magical injuries, and has much to learn from...

Schizophrenia – a mind torn asunder – is a difficult illness to live with, both for the patient as well as for the caregiver; thus, it is not an uncommon sight to see the authorities bring such patients to our psychiatric practice, whether abandoned or simply lost. What was...

Recently, two doctor-administrators commented to me separately, “Singapore probably has the best public healthcare system in the world.” While I understand the basis for their view, the accolade of world’s best healthcare system, according to the World Health Organization’s ranking, actually goes to France. This article is available only as...

It is just another day in 2020, except that the eyes of the medical world are eagerly awaiting the latest invention to be revealed: the ingenious multi-instrument pocket tool. Precision, quality, functionality and versatility are what this invention promises to deliver. This article is available only as a PDF. Please...

A massive earthquake and tsunami hit the South Asian region on 26 December 2004, killing more than 200,000 people and displacing countless more.1 The epicentre of the earthquake was near the coast of Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia. 2 The subsequent tsunami, one of the deadliest in history, affected more...

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common antibiotic resistant pathogen in many parts of the world, and is associated with significant in hospital morbidity and mortality. The majority of MRSA infections are hospital acquired, and the prevalence of such cases can be affected by infection control practices such...

The significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is indisputable. Its successful establishment and maintenance as the most important endemic healthcare associated infection (HCAI) results from its reservoir in up to 20% of inpatients and 16% of healthcare workers plus its ability to survive on surfaces for over 12 days. This...

Vertigo has been said to be the greatest “heartsink” symptom in medicine. That certainly is a possibility but every specialty has its similar conditions, and vertigo is no worse than low back ache or nocturnal cramps. However, the main reason for this problem is not the symptom but the...

The interest in medical publication continues to grow each year, and one of the reasons is that publications in highly regarded journals with rigorous peer-review processes provide the most reliable information for the management of our patients. In addition, for academic faculty, the quality and number of publications is...

Occupational physicians, like their clinician colleagues, are not immune to litigation claims. The experience of occupational physicians in litigation is relatively uncommon, compared to their clinician counterparts, where litigation centres mainly on harm from personal injury caused by clinical negligence in the course of treatment. This article is available only...

Hong Kong has a long history as a place to which refugees flock. In the modern era, the influx resulting from the 1949 communist victory in the Chinese Civil war led to many problems, amongst which was a severe shortage of facilities for birthing mothers. From this rather difficult...

The daVinci robotic surgical platform (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) is the only FDA-approved robotic surgical system for use in humans. The daVinci first made its debut in 1999 when it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for surgical prostatectomy and cardiothoracic applications. The growth of...

Non-disclosure in Paediatric Practice is a controversial issue. There was a time when the care of children was solely the responsibility of parents and any decision with respect to treatment or non-treatment would have been the joint responsibility of the parents and of the attending medical professionals. This practice,...