Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialMeditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection: a randomized controlled trial.
This study was designed to evaluate potential preventive effects of meditation or exercise on incidence, duration, and severity of acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness. ⋯ Training in meditation or exercise may be effective in reducing ARI illness burden.
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Annals of family medicine · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized trial to reduce the prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior in older primary care patients.
We wanted to determine whether an educational intervention targeting general practitioners reduces the 2-year prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior among their older patients. ⋯ Practice audit and targeted education of general practitioners reduced the 2-year prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior by 10% compared with control physicians. The intervention had no effect on recovery from depression or self-harm behavior, but it prevented the onset of new cases of self-harm behavior during follow-up. Replication of these results is required before we can confidently recommend the roll-out of such a program into normal clinical practice.
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Annals of family medicine · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialInteractive preventive health record to enhance delivery of recommended care: a randomized trial.
Americans receive only one-half of recommended preventive services. Information technologies have been advocated to engage patients. We tested the effectiveness of an interactive preventive health record (IPHR) that links patients to their clinician's record, explains information in lay language, displays tailored recommendations and educational resources, and generates reminders. ⋯ Information systems that feature patient-centered functionality, such as the IPHR, have potential to increase preventive service delivery. Engaging more patients to use systems could have important public health benefits.
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Annals of family medicine · Jul 2012
How family physicians address diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care patients.
Depression is highly prevalent in palliative care patients. In clinical practice, there is concern about both insufficient and excessive diagnosis and treatment of depression. In the Netherlands, family physicians have a central role in delivering palliative care. We explored variation in family physicians' opinions regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and management of depression in palliative care patients. ⋯ Family physicians perceive the diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care patients as challenging. They rely on open communication and a long-standing physician-patient relationship in which the patient's context is of great importance. This approach fits with the patient-centered care that is promoted in primary care.