Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R M Gallagher

Publications and source records attributed to R M Gallagher.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Recognition of alcoholism among patients with psychiatric problems in a family practice clinic.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with alcoholism is reported to be as high as 65 percent. A retrospective chart study was performed to determine whether physicians in a primary care center were adequately evaluating for alcoholism their patients with psychiatric problems. Thirty-five percent of the patients with psychiatric problems seen over a six-month period were not questioned about alcohol use. Younger patients and those with a nonspecific psychiatric diagnosis were questioned even less frequently. In a review of the charts for signs of alcohol abuse, 23 percent of the psychiatric patients had signs of possible alcoholism, and 6 percent were definite alcoholics. Since the presence of alcoholism may significantly alter the approach to therapy, primary care physicians should fully evaluate all patients for this problem, especially if they present with a psychiatric disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The medication seminar and primary care education.

This paper defines the need to provide postgraduate psychiatric education to primary care physicians, as well as the need to provide psychiatrists with teaching experiences in the primary care setting. Two psychiatrists in rural New England developed and administered, over an eight-month period, a Balint-type seminar on psychotropic medications, designed to emphasize experiential and two-way learning. The process of the seminar reflected the special problems encountered in post-graduate education of physicians in a rural area. The impact on the instructors and participants had implications for the design and development of future educational programs in both psychiatry and primary care.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗
PubMed1980

Development of a mental health programme in the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The Central Coast Programme is considered to have begun in December 1969 with the arrival and commitment of Dr Donald Scott-Orr (specialist psychiatrist) in the Central Coast, and with the parallel commitment of the then Medical Superintendent of Morisset Hospital, Dr Howard Gorton to support the development of a regional programme for the Central Coast. It was decided not to re-establish any clinics and so avoid waiting lists. There was an emphasis on groups as a means of interaction and a family orientation in the work. In the early years the role of the nurse was changing. Initially, the extramural role was expected by the hospital to be 'following-up' patients. However, the service was based on commitment to a community rather than hospital. Increasingly the nurses' work was directly referred to them independently of hospital admissions. Staff visited general practitioners (GPs) on the Central Coast in their surgeries and regular letters were sent keeping the GPs informed of changes in the service. Consultations and transactions were recorded on referral forms and files were opened on all persons concerning whom the service was consulted. A client's name was always linked with the name of their general practitioner who was encouraged to make telephone contact freely to seek consultative support in connection with problems in their practice. Priority for crisis intervention and orientation towards family and group was backed up by domiciliary visits and widespread communication and consultation. The attempt was made to use therapeutic community principles for the in-patient programme. The processes of care were seen as being as important as the content of care in assuring an optimum quality care. There is a continuing need to focus on the flexible interchange between intra- and extra-mural staff in providing continuity for clients in care and integration with primary care services and agencies. In January 1978 Dr Max Chapman was appointed director of the psychiatric and mental health services on the Central Coast and he is currently in that position.

Aftercare↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Referral delay in back pain patients on worker's compensation.

Low back pain (LBP), a common illness that may progress to chronic disability, costs many billions for care, lost work, and compensation. Conventional medicine does not effectively restore chronic LBP patients to work; multidisciplinary rehabilitation does, but limited or delayed access risks unnecessary costs, additional morbidity, and permanent disability. The authors examine costs of delayed treatment for 23 disabled LBP patients in a rehabilitation program. Compensation costs average $26,159 per patient, a sum covering treatment for 3 patients. Additional medical and societal costs are estimated. Factors causing delay, such as economic incentives and ignorance about pain, and policies to remediate these problems, are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Methylergonovine maleate as a cluster headache prophylactic: a study and review.

Methylergonovine maleate (Methergine), an ergot derivative with vasoconstrictive properties, has been cited as an effective treatment for vascular headaches. Few studies are available to support its use in headache management. An uncontrolled pilot study of 20 episodic cluster headache patients confirmed its effectiveness and tolerability as an adjunct cluster headache prophylactic. Decreased headache frequency was reported by 19 of 20 patients (95%), and 15 of 20 patients (75%) reported decreased intensity of headaches within 1 week of initiating therapy. A review of methylergonovine's pharmacokinetic, molecular, and tolerability profile clarifies its mechanisms and clinical role in headache management.

Cluster Headache↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of mini-trephination in the management of frontal sinusitis.

The surgical management of chronic frontal sinusitis remains an area of controversy. Since the introduction of endoscopic sinus surgery, many novel approaches to this difficult problem have been developed. Recently at the University of Virginia, mini-trephination of the frontal sinus has been used in combination with endoscopic frontal sinusotomy. This technique has enabled confident and precise identification of the frontal sinus ostium, culture of sinus contents, and irrigation of the frontal sinus. A retrospective review of 22 minitrephinations since November 1997 was performed. The short term results are encouraging with a frontal sinus patency rate of 90%; however, long-term follow-up is required. We conclude that the technique is reliable and reproducible.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The numbers game.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗