Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2005
ReviewScreening for primary open-angle glaucoma in the primary care setting: an update for the US preventive services task force.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness and vision-related disability. This review examines the effectiveness of screening for and treatment of early POAG in asymptomatic persons. ⋯ Treatment to lower intraocular pressure may delay progression of visual field deficits in some asymptomatic individuals with early POAG. Further studies of population screening are needed to show that early recognition and treatment of glaucoma in asymptomatic patients are effective in improving vision-specific functional outcomes and health-related quality of life.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2005
ReviewInterpersonal continuity of care and care outcomes: a critical review.
We wanted to undertake a critical review of the medical literature regarding the relationships between interpersonal continuity of care and the outcomes and cost of health care. ⋯ Although the available literature reflects persistent methodologic problems, it is likely that a significant association exists between interpersonal continuity and improved preventive care and reduced hospitalization. Future research in this area should address more specific and measurable outcomes and more direct costs and should seek to define and measure interpersonal continuity more explicitly.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2005
Patients' beliefs about racism, preferences for physician race, and satisfaction with care.
Few studies have attempted to link patients' beliefs about racism in the health care system with how they use and experience health care. ⋯ Many African Americans and Latinos perceive racism in the health care system, and those who do are more likely to prefer a physician of their own race or ethnicity. African Americans who have preferences are more often satisfied with their care when their own physicians match their preferences.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2005
ReviewLiability implications of physician-directed care coordination.
Various public and private initiatives encourage physicians to coordinate care for patients who have multiple chronic conditions, but physicians may resist doing so for fear of liability. This article assesses the extent of liability risk. ⋯ Physicians' perceptions about the liability risks of coordinating care for patients with multiple chronic conditions do not match evidence about the factors actually driving liability. It appears from many informed sources that there is no strong basis for physicians who perform these functions to have serious concerns about liability; instead, care coordination done well may lower liability risks.