Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyInfluence of watchful waiting on satisfaction and anxiety among patients seeking care for unexplained complaints.
We undertook a study to determine whether test-ordering strategy and other consultation-related factors influence satisfaction with and anxiety after a consultation among patients seeking care for unexplained complaints. ⋯ Test-ordering strategy does not influence patients' satisfaction with and anxiety after a consultation. Instead, specific aspects of physician-patient communication are important. Apparently, primary care physicians underestimate how much they can contribute to the well-being of their patients by discussing their worries.
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Annals of family medicine · Jul 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialIntegration of depression and hypertension treatment: a pilot, randomized controlled trial.
We wanted to examine whether integrating depression treatment into care for hypertension improved adherence to antidepressant and antihypertensive medications, depression outcomes, and blood pressure control among older primary care patients. ⋯ A pilot, randomized controlled trial integrating depression and hypertension treatment was successful in improving patient outcomes. Integrated interventions may be more feasible and effective in real-world practices, where there are competing demands for limited resources.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialAbsolute cardiovascular disease risk and shared decision making in primary care: a randomized controlled trial.
We wanted to determine the effect of promoting the effective communication of absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and shared decision making through disseminating a simple decision aid for use in family practice consultations. ⋯ A simple transactional decision aid based on calculating absolute individual CVD risk and promoting shared decision making in CVD prevention can be disseminated through CME groups and may lead to higher patient satisfaction and involvement and less decisional regret, without negatively affecting global CVD risk.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPhysician responses to a community-level trial promoting judicious antibiotic use.
In an environment of multiple campaigns promoting judicious antibiotic use in children, identification of effective strategies is important. We assessed physician responses to a community-level intervention with respect to antibiotic prescribing, related practices, and perceived effectiveness. ⋯ In multiple communities an intervention in physician offices to promote judicious antibiotic prescribing reached its intended audience, but physicians' self-reported attitudes and practices were similar in intervention and control communities. Campaigns that repeat brief, consistent reminders to multiple stakeholder groups may be most effective at assuring judicious antibiotic use.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyData collection outcomes comparing paper forms with PDA forms in an office-based patient survey.
We compared the completeness of data collection using paper forms and using electronic forms loaded on handheld computers in an office-based patient interview survey conducted within the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network. ⋯ Although handheld computers produced more complete data than the paper method for the returned forms, they were not superior because of the large amount of missing data due to technical difficulties with the hand-held computers or loss or theft. Other hardware solutions, such as tablet computers or cell phones linked via a wireless network directly to a Web site, may be better electronic solutions for the future.