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Biomedical subjects

R Charlton

Publications and source records attributed to R Charlton.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Quality of information on emergency contraception on the Internet.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of patient information about emergency contraception on the Internet. DESIGN: We performed an on-line search of the Internet and found relevant World Wide Web sites by combining the key phrases 'emergency contraception' and 'patient information' in two Web subject guides and two search engines. We defined quality as the extent to which the characteristics of a Web site satisfied its stated and implied objectives. Our assessment focused on credibility and content of each Web site. Credibility was assessed by source, currency and editorial review process and content of Web site was assessed by hierarchy and accuracy of evidence. RESULTS: Our search revealed 32 relevant Web sites, none of which complied with all of the criteria for quality of credibility and content. Twenty-eight Web sites displayed the source clearly, 17 Web sites showed currency, and none of the Web sites had an editorial review process. Only six of the 32 sites mentioned hierarchy of evidence. None of the Web sites depicted all the criteria for accuracy of contents. CONCLUSION: None of the Web sites provided complete information to patients about emergency contraception according to the quality criteria used in this study. As previous studies have shown, people need to be wary about the quality of information on the Internet.

Contraceptives, Postcoital↗
PubMed2000

The effect of the general practice registrar year on perceived skills in palliative care in the West Midlands.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the effect of 12 months spent as a GP registrar on perceived skills in palliative care. DESIGN: A previously validated questionnaire for use with medical undergraduates is modified and used to survey perceived skills in five aspects of providing palliative care in five different scenarios at two points during the 12-month period of general practice vocational training where no specific teaching intervention is conducted. SETTING: The West Midlands. PARTICIPANTS: 210 GP registrars. RESULTS: Perceived skill ratings were seen to significantly increase during the 12-month period, but anxiety in caring for the dying did not significantly decrease. Ratings of skills were lowest when caring for a child dying with leukaemia or a young adult dying with AIDS. In addition, other important variables which had a statistically significant influence were gender and age, but interestingly not the number of previous senior house officer (SHO) posts undertaken or whether the respondent had had formal teaching on the subject in the past. CONCLUSION: It might therefore be postulated that training as a GP registrar has an important impact on the development of perceived skills in palliative care.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Perceived skills in palliative medicine of newly qualified doctors in the U.K.

AIM: To ascertain the perceived skills of students at U.K. medical schools in palliative medicine. DESIGN: A validated questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: Newly qualified U.K. pre-registration house officers (PRHOs). MEASURES: A Likert scale from 0 to 5 for respondents to rate their perceived skills in four clinical scenarios, and their anxiety in caring for the dying. RESULTS: Mean confidence rating in breaking bad news was 2.9, in ability to empathize was 3.2, in discussing prognosis was 3.3, and in providing symptom control was 2.8. Mean anxiety rating in caring for a dying patient was 2.9. Of the comments, 24% wished for more "hands on" experience and 23% suggested further curriculum recommendations. CONCLUSION: Teaching of palliative medicine is still inadequate for the needs of recently qualified doctors. Although PRHOs have identified a need for further instruction there is also acknowledgment that it is a difficult subject to teach. Recommendations are made for coordination of current interdepartmental teaching programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The diagnosis and initial treatment of asthma in young children in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

AIMS: To conduct a pilot study to test methodology in ascertaining if there are differences between New Zealand and the UK in the symptom and circumstance set that influences a general practitioner in the initial diagnosis of asthma, and to ascertain the treatment prescribed at the time that the diagnosis is made. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to 110 general practitioners in each country. General practitioners from the Otago region in New Zealand and from the Nottingham region in Britain were contacted. A follow-up reminder was sent to all non-responders three weeks after the initial mail out. Questions were asked about the symptoms and signs that were considered important, as well as other influences (e.g., passive smoking) when making a diagnosis of asthma in a child under the age of five years. The doctors were also asked what treatment they prescribed at the time of the actual diagnosis of asthma. RESULTS: British doctors considered night cough (p = 0.05) and cough associated with emotion (p = 0.004) more diagnostic of asthma. New Zealand doctors rated cough associated with temperature change (p = 0.05) as being important and they had a lower threshold in diagnosing asthma with respect to history of similar attacks (p = 0.008) compared to their British counterparts. More New Zealand doctors reported using prophylactic/anti-inflammatory agents as first line therapy (59% vs 28%; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there are only minor differences in general practitioners' diagnostic criteria for asthma in the two countries with reference to this small sample. We believe, however, that differing diagnostic criteria could account for different reported incidences of childhood asthma in some countries. There is need for internationally accepted diagnostic criteria.

Asthma↗
PubMed1998

Meningococcal disease. Is early diagnosis possible?

Meningococcal disease is a public health problem because of its high mortality and is one disease that many GPs have not seen. Case reports illustrate that presentation is rarely classic 'meningitis' and further research is required to enable earlier detection.

Child↗