Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisCinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cinnamon has been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for its glycemic-lowering effects, but studies have been small and show conflicting results. A prior meta-analysis did not show significant results, but several RCTs have been published since then. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating cinnamon's effect on glycemia and lipid levels. ⋯ The consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease in levels of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, and an increase in HDL-C levels; however, no significant effect on hemoglobin A1c was found. The high degree of heterogeneity may limit the ability to apply these results to patient care, because the preferred dose and duration of therapy are unclear.
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2013
Clinical TrialAbbreviated mindfulness intervention for job satisfaction, quality of life, and compassion in primary care clinicians: a pilot study.
Burnout, attrition, and low work satisfaction of primary care physicians are growing concerns and can have a negative influence on health care. Interventions for clinicians that improve work-life balance are few and poorly understood. We undertook this study as a first step in investigating whether an abbreviated mindfulness intervention could increase job satisfaction, quality of life, and compassion among primary care clinicians. ⋯ In this uncontrolled pilot study, participating in an abbreviated mindfulness training course adapted for primary care clinicians was associated with reductions in indicators of job burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress. Modified mindfulness training may be a time-efficient tool to help support clinician health and well-being, which may have implications for patient care.
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2013
eCHAT for lifestyle and mental health screening in primary care.
Early detection and management of unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues in primary care has the potential to prevent or ameliorate many chronic diseases and increase patients' well-being. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the systematic use of a Web-based eCHAT (electronic Case-finding and Help Assessment Tool) screening patients for problematic drinking, smoking, and other drug use, gambling, exposure to abuse, anxiety, depression, anger control, and physical inactivity, and whether they want help with these issues. Patients self-administered eCHAT on an iPad in the waiting room and received summarized results, including relevant scores and interpretations, which could be by a family physician on the website and in the electronic health record (EHR) at the point of care. ⋯ eCHAT is an acceptable and feasible means of systemic screening patients for unhealthy behaviors and negative mood states and is easily integrated into the primary care electronic health record.
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2013
Multicenter Study Observational StudyA multicenter study of physician mindfulness and health care quality.
Mindfulness (ie, purposeful and nonjudgmental attentiveness to one's own experience, thoughts, and feelings) is associated with physician well-being. We sought to assess whether clinician self-rated mindfulness is associated with the quality of patient care. ⋯ Clinicians rating themselves as more mindful engage in more patient-centered communication and have more satisfied patients. Interventions should determine whether improving clinician mindfulness can also improve patient health outcomes.