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Biomedical subjects

H J Brownlee

Publications and source records attributed to H J Brownlee.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Reverse targeting in a media-promoted breast cancer screening project.

BACKGROUND: The American Cancer Society has sponsored community-based, low-cost, Breast Cancer Detection Awareness Projects throughout the United States. The authors hypothesized that these projects tend to exclude minorities and women of lower socioeconomic status--groups with a higher incidence of late-stage disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed of participants in the 1990 Breast Screening Project in Tampa, Florida. The demographic profile of participants was compared with that predicted by 1990 census data. RESULTS: There were 13,920 women who called phone banks for additional information. Of these, 13,215 were deemed eligible and 6640 completed mammographic screening. Forty percent of participants were having mammography for the first time. Comparisons with census data indicated that elderly people, members of minority groups, and women of lower educational levels were underrepresented. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the concept that "reverse targeting" occurs with these breast cancer screening projects, and recommendations for recruiting underrepresented groups are given.

Adult

Compliance with screening mammography. Survey of primary care physicians.

A survey of primary care physicians in the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area was conducted to determine compliance with screening mammography and associated physician characteristics. Information requested included their age, sex, specialty, and board certification status, and the ages and frequencies that they recommend screening mammography for their patients. A total of 565 physicians responded. Even though 88% indicated they follow American Cancer Society recommendations when advising screening mammography, only 62% were actually in full compliance. A significantly greater percentage of obstetricians/gynecologists were compliant (74%) compared to other specialties (family practice, 57%, p = .006; internal medicine, 56%, p = .007; general practice, 53%, p = .003). Women physicians were more likely to be compliant than men (83% versus 58%, p less than .001), and younger physicians more likely than older physicians (72% versus 49%, p less than .001). There was no significant difference in compliance rates between board certified and noncertified physicians.

Adult

Family practitioner's guide to patient self-treatment of acute diarrhea.

The majority of cases of acute, nonspecific diarrhea are of short duration, can be treated symptomatically with nonprescription medications and adequate hydration, and do not require a visit to the physician's office. If the family practitioner can determine via telephone that the patient, or the caller's child, is not experiencing certain signs and symptoms often associated with diarrheal illness that may indicate a more severe condition (e.g., high fever, vomiting, persistent diarrhea, or diarrhea accompanied by blood or severe abdominal or rectal pain), self-treatment may be allowed without an office visit. In addition, if the physician determines that the patient is not suffering from diarrheal dehydration, indicated by dry mouth, excessive thirst (or for children, inadequate fluid intake), wrinkled skin, little or no urination, dizziness, or lightheadedness, the physician may also allow the patient to be treated without an office visit. If, however, the patient is experiencing any of these symptoms, an office visit is required to facilitate further evaluation by the physician.

Acute Disease

Venomous snakebites in the United States.

Venomous snakebite treatment is controversial. Venomous snakebites are known to occur in all but a few states. Approximately 10 to 15 individuals die from snakebites each year, with bites from diamondback rattlesnakes accounting for 95 percent of fatalities. The identification of the two endogenous classes of venomous snakes are discussed in detail to aid in determining the proper treatment for each class. Approximately 25 percent of all pit viper bites are "dry" and result in no envenomation. The best first aid is a set of car keys to get the victim to a facility where antivenin is obtainable. Incision and suction should be limited to very special situations; cryotherapy and use of tourniquets applied by laymen should be avoided. Proper medical management at a health care facility requires establishing whether envenomation has occurred and to what extent, followed by appropriate dosing of antivenin. The use of corticosteroids and antibiotics is controversial. Tetanus immunization should be updated, if necessary. Although research in developing a more purified antivenin is under way, the best treatment for snakebite is prevention.

Animals

Graduate follow-up in the US Air Force family practice residency programs.

Between June 30, 1973, and June 30, 1982, 216 family physicians completed residency training in family practice residencies sponsored by the US Air Force. The primary purpose of this study was to measure the adequacy of the graduates' residency training program. One hundred seventy-nine (83 percent) of the graduates responded to an extensive eight-page survey. The study assessed all Air Force program graduates as a whole as well as each program separately. Seventy-four percent of the respondents are still in the Air Force. All but one are board certified, and 19 have been recertified. Of the 179 respondents, 37.0 percent are involved in teaching medical students of family practice residents, only 5.0 percent are dissatisfied with their present hospital privileges, 43.5 percent felt that their residency training was superior to that provided by civilian family practice residency, 53.7 percent felt the training was equal, and 2.8 percent felt the training was inferior. Practice satisfaction and continuing medical education needs were also addressed in the study.

Family Practice

Vasectomy.

Bilateral vasectomy is a common method of achieving elective sterilization in men. Knowledge of male genital anatomy is important in the performance of this procedure as well as in screening patients with anatomical contraindications. Careful counseling techniques will help avoid medicolegal problems. There are several operative techniques used to perform a vasectomy. Postoperative evaluation and semen analysis should be accomplished to recognize and allay complications. Major complications are rare; minor complications are relatively frequent, with early diagnosis and treatment important in hastening recovery. Psychological consequences are rare. Thus, vasectomy is a relatively safe, inexpensive, and dependable contraceptive procedure.

Anesthesia, Local

Utilization of pneumococcal vaccine in a family practice residency.

Pneumococcal diseases continue to account for a significant amount of morbidity and mortality in family practice. Daily charts audits revealed significant underutilization of pneumococcal vaccine in a family practice residency. Identified primary factors for pneumococcal vaccine underutilization were inadequate physician knowledge regarding the vaccine and failure to consider vaccine need during physician-patient encounters. A physician education update regarding vaccine indications and use was completed. A questionnaire was developed and given to each patient, allowing the physician to quickly evaluate each patient's need for pneumococcal vaccine. Evaluation of the first 1,000 questionnaires revealed the approximately 20 percent of the patients had indications for pneumococcal vaccine. Evaluation of immunization records revealed significant increased utilization of the pneumococcal vaccine following initiation of the questionnaire. Patient questionnaires such as this can prove to be a useful tool in the evaluation and provision of preventive medicine services in the family practice setting.

Bacterial Vaccines