Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2004
Management of patients with hepatitis C in a community population: diagnosis, discussions, and decisions to treat.
Chronic hepatitis C, a treatable condition caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), can be found in almost all primary care and community practices. The rate of hepatitis C treatment is low, however. This study explores the frequency of hepatitis C treatment, documented discussions of treatment consideration, and the reasons treatment may not be offered in a community population. ⋯ In this community population, hepatitis C treatment was discussed with the majority of patients with a diagnosis of hepatitis C; however, the actual treatment rate was low. Many opportunities exist for treating more patients for HCV infection, particularly those found during emergency care and chemical dependency treatment. In addition, generalists' recognition and treatment of potentially reversible contraindications to hepatitis C therapy could greatly increase the number of treatment candidates.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2004
A community-oriented primary care demonstration project: refining interventions for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
We describe a community-oriented primary care project that implemented all 5 steps of the formal model. Data are presented on cardiac risk factors, protective behaviors, health locus of control, and stage of readiness for change in an African American community. We discuss the use of these data to refine our health promotion interventions. ⋯ This study documents low rates of physical activity and healthy dietary patterns and describes recent interventions to address environmental barriers to behavior change. The association between powerful others locus of control and specific cardiac risk factors has prompted a greater emphasis on developing faith-based interventions and renewing physician-counseling efforts. Stage of readiness for change findings have prompted strategies to disseminate existing diet and physical activity recommendations more effectively.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2004
The Future of Family Medicine: a collaborative project of the family medicine community.
Recognizing fundamental flaws in the fragmented US health care systems and the potential of an integrative, generalist approach, the leadership of 7 national family medicine organizations initiated the Future of Family Medicine (FFM) project in 2002. The goal of the project was to develop a strategy to transform and renew the discipline of family medicine to meet the needs of patients in a changing health care environment. ⋯ The leadership of US family medicine organizations is committed to a transformative process. In partnership with others, this process has the potential to integrate health care to improve the health of all Americans.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2004
Practice Guideline GuidelineScreening for family and intimate partner violence: recommendation statement.
This statement summarizes the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for family and intimate partner violence based on the USPSTF's examination of evidence specific to family and intimate partner violence. ⋯ S. Preventive Services Task Force." The USPSTF recommendations, the accompanying summary article, and complete Systematic Evidence Review are available through the USPSTF web site (http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov). The summary article and the USPSTF recommendation statement are available in print through the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse (call 1-800-358-9295 or e-mail ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov).