Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SCOTLAND”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

A qualitative study of the contribution of pharmacists to heart failure management in Scotland.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: (1) To identify the medication management needs of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and their caregivers; (2) To examine the perceived support for medication management available to these people from health professionals; (3) To identify the actual and potential perceived contribution of pharmacists to medication management. SETTING: A mixed urban/ rural region in the west of Scotland. DESIGN: Semi-structured qualitative research interviews. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 50 people with CHF (NYHA Class II and III) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (33 males; mean age 67 years, 17 females; mean age 68 years) and 30 nominated caregivers recruited from the outpatient departments of two hospitals in the West of Scotland. Sampling was purposive to include patients from a range of CHF severity, ages and sexes. MAIN RESULTS: Managing medications was a responsibility shared by both the patients with CHF and caregivers. Treatment regimens were reported to be difficult to comply with. Health professionals were seen to provide little support for medication management. Pharmacists were viewed as being a good and accessible source of practical assistance who were also knowledgeable about the individual's heart health history. Participants reported valuing advice from pharmacists about the side effects of medications and for their assistance in reducing the complex logistics of medication management and in having medications delivered. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CHF and caregivers voiced a willingness to try to manage their medication regimen accurately but had a limited capacity to do so. Pharmacists were viewed as providing valuable support to patients with CHF and their caregivers, in terms of medication management. The extended role of pharmacists in medication management of CHF should be encouraged.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Fractures of the zygomatic complex in the south-east region of Scotland.

With the ever increasing of facial trauma, a study has been carried out on some aspects of zygomatic complex fractures in a part of Scotland. The results were different in some aspects from those reported in the literature, but they endorse the findings of a similar study which was carried out in the Eastern regions of Scotland (Hitchen & Shuker, 1973).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Crohn's disease in the northeastern and northern Isles of Scotland: an epidemiological review.

An epidemiological study of Crohn's disease has been conducted in northeastern Scotland since 1955 and in the Orkney and Shetland Islands since 1966 through the end of 1988. There were 856 verified cases on the mainland and 58 in the northern isles. There has been no change in the sex ratio on the mainland in recent years, with 63% of patients female. Younger men and women living in the city of Aberdeen are more liable to develop Crohn's disease than rural inhabitants; the reverse is true for men over 60 years of age. The annual incidence of new cases has increased; within the city of Aberdeen it was 11.6 per 100,000 during 1985-1987. The point prevalence on December 31, 1988, for northeastern Scotland was 147 per 100,000. Family histories of the disease were noted in 8.3% of cases. The disease now affects more distal parts of the intestinal tract. There is no clear correlation between these changes and variations in the environment or lifestyle of the population. In the Orkney Islands the overall incidence was 6.1 per 100,000, and there was a male preponderance. In the Shetland Islands the incidence was 5.7 per 100,000 during 1966-1988. A family history of Crohn's disease was more common in the northern islands than on the mainland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Profiling "flexible" nursing staff: bank nurses in Scotland.

Nurse banks are locally organised "in house" sources of temporary nursing staff. This paper reports on a survey of nurses working on three nurse banks in the National Health Service in Scotland. A total of 203 nurses responded to the survey, which revealed marked differences in the profile of the nurses working on each of the banks, in terms of age, biographical details, career plans and work commitments. Main issues for management revealed by the survey were the need for good communication with temporary staff and high levels of reported dissatisfaction with access to training opportunities. The paper concludes that there is no "standard" model of a nurse bank in the NHS in Scotland and no standard profile of bank nurses.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Seasonal variation of Legionnaires' disease in Scotland.

A summer and autumn peak in incidence is a characteristic epidemiological feature of Legionnaires' disease, a fact which may help in diagnosis. Previous reports from Scotland have reported a winter peak. This study examined the seasonal variation in Legionnaires' disease in Scotland in each year and by category of diagnosis. A characteristic summer/autumn peak was seen for travel-related infection. For non-travel infection, there was an autumnal peak between 1978 and 1982 but an early winter peak between 1983 and 1986. Overall, the pattern could be described as a summer/autumn plateau reaching a peak in early winter. This pattern, seen in men and women, was clearest in the Greater Glasgow area. Nosocomial cases were clustered in the months of October, November and December. In non-travel cases the classical seasonal pattern was not observed and clinicians cannot rely upon this epidemiological feature for diagnosis. However, the relative infrequency of the disease between January and May was a consistent and potentially useful feature. Most reports on seasonal variation are based on aggregated data on travel and non-travel cases. The present observations question the hypotheses developed to explain the seasonal pattern and call for further studies.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1982

Institutional structures: catalysts of or barriers to quality care for the institutionalized aged in Scotland and the U.S.

The care of the elderly in two long-term care institutions, one in Scotland and one in the United States, is described, compared, and analyzed. In Scotland three institutional structures, the National Health Service, the Geriatric Service, and the specialty of geriatrics are identified as catalysts of quality care. In the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid, the absence of geriatrics as a specialty, and the nursing home are identified as barriers to quality care for the institutionalized aged. The findings suggest that three components, an adequate government insurance program, professionals who specialize in the care of the aged, and a structure to provide continuing comprehensive care, are essential for a successful program of care for the institutionalized elderly.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of out of hospital defibrillation by ambulance technicians using automated external defibrillators. The Heartstart Scotland Project.

During the Heartstart Scotland project all 407 ambulances in Scotland were equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). All cases of chest pain or collapse aged over 10 years were monitored and multiple 3-s rhythm strips recorded in a solid state memory module. A shockable rhythm was defined as an organised rhythm of > or = 180 beats/min or a disorganised rhythm of > or = 100 beats/min and amplitude > 0.1 mV. We analysed all the stored rhythm strips in two patient populations to determine the ability of the AED and ambulance crews to detect a shockable rhythm and to initiate appropriate defibrillation. The first population comprised 493 patients, all of whom had received shocks. A total of 4741 rhythm strips were analysed, of which 1461 were true positives, 33 false positives, 3161 true negatives and 86 false negatives. Overall sensitivity of the AED was 94.4% and specificity 99.0%. The second population comprised a random sample of 200 shocked and 200 non-shocked arrests. The combined group contained 4154 rhythm strips of which 562 were true positives, 12 false positives, 3460 true negatives and 120 false negatives. Overall sensitivity of the system (AED+crew) was 82.4% and specificity 99.7%. However, only 66 of the 120 false negatives were attributable to the AED giving a sensitivity of 90.3% for the AED. The sensitivity of the AED is dependent on the prevalence of shockable rhythms, but will be within the range 90.3-94.4% for most emergency medical services. We conclude that early management of potentially lethal arrhythmias by ambulance technicians using AEDs is practical with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Ambulances↗
PubMed1995

Trends in burn admissions in Scotland during 1970-92.

This retrospective study involved analysis of the data of the inpatients discharged with a diagnosis of burns, from various hospitals in Scotland, during the period 1970-92. There were 51,350 such inpatients all over Scotland, with an average annual rate of 2233 cases. Overall burn incidence in actual numbers was 43.7 per cent in < 15 year olds, 41.2 per cent in 15-64 year olds and 15.1 per cent in > or = 65 year olds. Burn rates per 100,000 population were highest in < 15 year olds and lowest in 16-64 year olds. The pattern of burn admissions has changed. Since 1987 the highest numbers of burn inpatients were the 16-64 year olds, followed by children, then the elderly. There has been a gradual but sustained fall in burns admissions in all age categories. The downward trend was statistically significant (t = 8.48, 21 d.f., P < 0.001). Though the population of the elderly (> or = 65 year olds) increased by about 13 per cent, the burn admissions and all deaths due to burns did not reveal an upward trend. The population of the old (81+ year olds) increased by 60 per cent during the same period. The incidence of burns was above average when > 80 year olds were considered separately, approaching the levels found in children. However the rate and incidence of burns in the 65-80 year olds resembled that of the younger age group (16-64 year olds). The total number of deaths due to burns and/or smoke inhalation has declined in all age groups and the decline has been statistically significant (chi-squared = 19.62, 1 d.f., P < 0.001). Maximum number of deaths occurred in > or = 65 year olds (44 per cent), followed closely by 16-64 year olds (43.5 per cent), and 12.5 per cent of deaths in adolescents and children. The decline was due to improved management of burns and a decrease in the number of patients having large body surface area burns.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1991

Changing patterns of male suicide in Scotland.

Mortality statistics published annually by the Registrar General Scotland for 1970-1989 are analysed. There has been a recent increase in the suicide rate amongst younger males in Scotland which cannot be explained by changes in the misattribution between suicides (ICD E950-E959) and undetermined deaths (ICD E980-E989). The increase is almost entirely attributable to hanging and the use of motor vehicle exhaust fumes. Analysis of the sex/age/method-specific suicide rates demonstrates that age-specific increases in the male suicide rate are linked to age-specific increases in the use of these two methods. The increased suicide rate involving motor vehicle exhaust fumes can be explained by changes in method availability and acceptability. The increased suicide rate involving hanging may be explained by increased acceptability, possibly flowing from the abolition of judicial hanging in 1965. The increased suicide rate in younger males may reflect a change in the proportion of suicidal attempts resulting in a completed suicide consequent on an age-specific shift to the use of more lethal methods, namely hanging and motor vehicle exhaust fumes. This possibility needs to be evaluated before assessing the influence of other social factors on the suicide rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Substance abuse problems in Scotland.

In the wake of a recent epidemic of substance abuse in Scotland the governmental and medical response has involved a departure from the longstanding policies in Britain. There has been a shift from the medical model to a more community based, minimal intervention model. There have also been a number of changes in legislation relating to substance abuse. It may take a number of years for the effects of these policy changes to be felt. However, the way has been made clear for new initiatives and Scotland is encouraging its inhabitants to take more responsibility for their own lives. A detailed cost benefit analysis of the policy changes is now indicated.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Changes in the incidence and mortality of testicular cancer in Scotland with particular reference to the outcome of older patients treated for non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.

This paper describes the temporal pattern of germ cell testicular cancer in Scotland between 1960 and 1990. The effect of age on the prognosis of patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) has been assessed by studying all patients presenting in the West of Scotland between 1975 and 1989. Between 1960 and 1990, the number of testicular germ cell tumours registered has increased more than 2-fold; mortality rates have declined equally dramatically. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the data obtained on 440 patients with NSGCT showed age was not a prognostic factor influencing survival. 52 were patients over 40 years at presentation; their 5 years survival was 71% compared with 79% in the younger patients (n = 388). This small survival difference is probably explained by the higher proportion of older patients treated before 1980. Treatment for this older group should be approached with the same curative intent as for younger patients and the same expectation of success.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

An evaluation of the first year of family health nursing practice in Scotland.

Scotland has led enactment of the new World Health Organisation (Europe) Family Health Nurse (FHN) concept. This paper presents research which evaluated the initial operation and impact of the role in remote and rural regions of Scotland. Through use of a multiplex research design informed by ideas from realistic evaluation, fourth generation evaluation and case study research, an initial typology of practice was constructed. The new FHN role typically supplemented, rather than supplanted, pre-existing community nursing services. Implications arising from key findings are discussed in relation to Scottish, UK and European nursing and primary care perspectives.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Capacity building for sustainability: towards community development in coastal Scotland.

Capacity building is widely recognised as a central feature of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). Yet, although increased community capacity can potentially empower local communities with the ability to tackle the impacts of socio-economic change, an evaluation of ICZM performance reveals a limited interest in advancing community development initiatives. This weakness is particularly apparent in Scotland. Whilst coastal communities in Scotland have been found to suffer from a range of significant socio-economic problems, Scottish approaches to ICZM have failed to improve local development trajectories. In response, this paper considers the degree to which community based partnerships can assist in the delivery of sustainable development benefits.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2004

Changing trends in a decade of circumcision in Scotland.

PURPOSE: There has been a move toward conservative management of foreskin problems. The aim of this study was to examine overall trends for circumcision in Scotland to see if there has been a decrease in the number of operations performed. METHODS: Retrospective analysis looking at the number of circumcisions performed each year over a 10-year period (1990 to 2000), in the 0 to 13-year age group. The principal indication for circumcision in each case was ascertained as were the number of preputioplasties performed over the corresponding period. RESULTS: A total of 15,605 circumcisions were performed during the 10-year period; 10,888 (69.8%) for phimosis, 2,724 (17.5%) for nonmedical/religious reasons, and 1993 (12.8%) for all other indications. There was a 33.7% decrease in total number of circumcisions performed between the first and second halves of the study period. The fall in operations performed is almost solely attributable (94.5%) to a reduction in number of procedures carried out for phimosis. There was a corresponding increase in preputioplasties performed over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a steady decrease in circumcision rates in Scotland. This is in keeping with greater appreciation of pathologic phimosis as distinguished from a healthy nonretractile foreskin, which does not require circumcision.

Circumcision, Male↗
PubMed2006

The practice of bilateral, simultaneous total knee replacement in Scotland over the last decade. Data from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project.

The issue of the safety of performing simultaneous, bilateral total knee replacement (SBTKR) for patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis remains controversial. Several small series have reported inconclusive findings and the few large series published are contradictory. We present data retrieved from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project on over 19,000 total knee replacements (TKR) performed in Scotland between 1989 and 1999. The trends in the practice of SBTKR are shown together with the associated mortality from the procedure compared with unilateral or staged, bilateral TKR. The data shows that there was no statistically significant difference in the 90-day mortality between unilateral TKR, staged TKR or SBTKR. In addition, the length of stay for SBTKR has reduced, equaling that of unilateral TKR since 1993. Despite an initial increase in the percentage of consultants performing SBTKR early in the decade, since 1993, only approximately 25% of knee arthroplasty surgeons in Scotland per year ever performed a SBTKR.

Arthritis↗
PubMed2005

Meeting the information needs of the 'Health for all' challenge--lessons from Scotland.

OBJECTIVE: To create a public health data resource for Scotland that is based on a socio-ecological model of the determinants of health and would, therefore, meets the needs of the emerging public health agenda. DESIGN: Action research, in which the approach moved logically through stages of action (conception, feasibility study, pilot projects, leading to a national set of integrated health and well-being profiles). Each stage built on the results of the previous research. RESULTS: The conceptual stage identified the need for an approach to public health data that kept pace with the increasingly accepted socio-ecological models of the determinants of health. A feasibility study concluded that sufficient data were available to populate the health fields that represented the important determinants of health. At this time strengths and weakness in data were defined. This led to the articulation of a 'vision' for integrated public heath data in Scotland that was the subject of a wide consultation. Pilot studies provided local stakeholders with imaginatively presented data (on population demographics, health and function, behaviour, social environment, economy, physical environment, morbidity and mortality) for their local communities. The response to these was so positive that a demand was created for a comprehensive set of 'community profiles'. These, in addition to parliamentary constituency profiles, have now been created and widely disseminated. CONCLUSIONS: It has been possible, despite many difficulties, to develop approaches to public health information that are informed by the socio-ecological model of health and create outputs that represent a significant advance on previous approaches to public health data. This is a work in progress and many issues remain unresolved. Interaction with others engaged in parallel tasks will facilitate the next steps.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2006

Mitochondrial DNA evidence of an early Holocene population expansion of threespine sticklebacks from Scotland.

In this study, we analyzed the cytochrome b gene in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations from Scotland. We found evidence of a postglacial population expansion in Scotland and large differences in genetic diversity estimates among populations. Higher levels of genetic diversity are negatively correlated with distance from the ocean. In addition, distance from the ocean and predation risk both explain variation in plate count in Scottish populations. Overall, the mtDNA data support the racemic model of evolution in threespine stickleback.

Animals↗