Medical care
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Comparative Study
Can history and physical examination be used as markers of quality? An analysis of the initial visit note in musculoskeletal care.
The medical record serves as an important source of information regarding the care process, but few studies have examined whether thoroughness of documentation is associated with outcomes. ⋯ No provider types consistently documented many important historical items and physical examination findings. While thoroughness of documentation was not associated with clinical outcomes, there was a very weak relationship between documentation and patient satisfaction with provider-patient interactions.
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To explore the use of a 2-stage model in explaining the role of physician recommendation in women's use of mammography screening and to provide an integrated framework for understanding the mammography-use process. ⋯ A 2-stage model for estimating mammography use among women with regular physicians may be more informative than a single model. These results imply that programs designed to increase mammography rates should focus on ensuring appropriate physician recommendations in addition to encouraging women to request screening. Future research should consider using an integrated framework for evaluating utilization of mammography and other preventive services.