[Family practice management].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
SEARCH · Search PubMed
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.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
OBJECTIVE: To survey South Australian general practitioners to investigate their knowledge and reported management of patients with hypertension. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Of 156 randomly selected SA general practitioners 132 responded to a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: This survey showed substantial differences between general practitioners in their knowledge about hypertension and in their reported practices for diagnostic levels, investigations to be undertaken once diagnosis had been made, levels at which pharmaceutical treatment should be initiated, at which level treatment was regarded as having attained satisfactory control, and length of time for routine review. There was also a demand for materials to be provided to assist in the management of this important condition. CONCLUSIONS: There is a perceived need for better and more appropriate educational materials and a need for a different approach to try and reduce the reported variability in management of patients with hypertension by general practitioners.
BACKGROUND: Because sexually transmitted chlamydial infections are common among young women, it is critical that providers screen and manage these infections appropriately. OBJECTIVE: To assess the Chlamydia care practices of California primary care physicians and nurse practitioners. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-report mail survey. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of primary care physicians and a convenience sample of primary care nurse practitioners in California. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Survey content included 5 topic areas: sexual history taking, management of cervicitis, management of a nonpregnant Chlamydia-infected patient, availability of onsite STD services, and Chlamydia screening practices and attitudes. Main outcome measure was the reported frequency of Chlamydia screening of sexually active women age 25 and younger. Respondents included 708 physicians (49% response rate) and 895 nurse practitioners (63% response rate). Nearly half of physicians (47%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 42% to 51%) and a majority of nurse practitioners (79%, 95% CI, 77% to 82%) reported routine Chlamydia screening of women under age 20; similar proportions reported routinely screening women aged 20 to 25 years. Independent predictors of screening among physicians were adolescent medicine specialty, female gender, practicing in a nonprivate setting, and having a higher volume of female patients. Additional findings included the overscreening of women over age 25 by nurse practitioners and the shared concern among providers that Chlamydia screening may not be reimbursed. CONCLUSIONS: The Chlamydia care practices of many California primary care providers are inconsistent with current guidelines. Targeted provider education and improved reimbursements are potential strategies for improvement.
The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) in the paediatric population of a group practice was recorded. A questionnaire involving two case studies was sent to general practitioners and paediatric consultants in the region to assess the management of children suspected of having UTI and the attitudes to referral of these cases to the paediatrician. Disturbing inconsistencies in the management plans were found among both general practitioners and consultants. The reasons for these inconsistencies and the implications arising from them are discussed.
The health, well-being and productivity of workers and employers in today's society is becoming increasingly important. The social, emotional and economic costs of injury and illness are such that governments throughout the world are attempting to implement policies and practices to contain these costs. One response in this area is Disability Management (DM). DM focuses on the management of employees with work injuries or illnesses in the workplace rather than offsite in rehabilitation centres. Regional interest in the DM approach has now gained momentum in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific. This article briefly reviews two studies that were conducted in Australia and Canada (results have or are being published elsewhere). Although the two studies were not designed for comparison purposes they provide interesting and useful information about the similarities and differences in the practice of DM in Australia and Canada. Findings are compared in terms of five primary principles of DM and it is argued that it is important to understand the ecological contexts in which DM occurs as well as share trans-national research in this area to help inform policy and practice.
Many women who can climax easily with their partner to direct clitoral stimulation are unable to reach orgasm during intercourse unless they receive supplementary manual clitoral stimulation. Such women frequently consult their physician for advice. This two-part article aims to provide clear practical guidelines to the management of this situation.
OBJECTIVES: To identify current trends in management and leadership styles in Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member infertility centers; and to understand the similarities and disparities that exist in physicians', administrators', and staff perceptions of management and leadership styles in these centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were developed to collect information on the leadership and management styles in place in SART member infertility centers. Survey instruments were distributed to the 374 SART centers. Survey instruments for one physician, the center administrator, and six staff members (two each in nursing, laboratory, and administration) were issued to the SART liaison in each of the SART member centers. Respondents included physicians, practice administrators, nurses, technicians, patient services, billing, and support staff. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Analysis of respondents' answers revealed that surveyed staff members reported a fairly high degree of job satisfaction. Physician and administrator management styles seemed to fall between interactive and directive styles; however, physicians and administrators perceived themselves as being more interactive than other staff members viewed them. Overall, extreme differences were unlikely, given the reported high degree of job satisfaction. Finally, survey outcome data were compared with responding centers' ART outcome rates as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, although employee job satisfaction seemed to be high, there were statistical differences between groups for several questions; the disparities in responses for these questions are indicators for potential management and leadership consideration. In addition, statistical correlations were found between the responses for several questions and the centers' respective CDC-published ART outcome rates.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
As stoma patients are being discharged from hospital earlier, nurses have less time to teach them how to manage their stoma. It is essential, therefore, that they focus on the practical implications of stoma care to reduce stress in the immediate post-discharge period.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a complex disease. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in new knowledge regarding its virology, epidemiology, and natural history. In addition, more sensitive molecular diagnostic tests and relatively effective therapies for many individuals with chronic HBV infection have been developed and are available to practicing physicians. On the other hand, the influx of new immigrants from HBV hyperendemic areas such as the Asia-Pacific region, Indochina, and Eastern Europe has increased the demand for management of HBV infection in these populations. Physicians thus need to be able to identify persons at risk for hepatitis B and to evaluate and monitor them appropriately. Counseling on precautions to prevent transmission of HBV is also important for patients, as is education regarding the natural course of HBV infection and patient prognosis. Clinicians need to balance the treatment options carefully for their patients. This article provides up-to-date information on management of HBV infection for practicing physicians.
BACKGROUND: Being accomplished in the short span of 21 years the number of states granting therapeutic optometric privileges has now reached 50. Since health care reform is also expanding, optometrists' prescribing responsibilities will probably increase in proportion to their clinical demands. PURPOSE: In addition to clinical expertise, optometrists should possess practical knowledge about pharmaceutical industry practices and the effects of managed care. This article addresses issues such as drug pricing and distribution, reimbursement, and patient costs, which can affect pharmaceutical dispensing. CONCLUSION: Optometrists should become aware of "nonclinical" prescribing influences that can affect patients. By doing so, they can make informed decisions about the products they prescribe, to ensure optimum patient care and compliance.