The Journal of family practice
-
Early detection of prostate cancer is thought to be effective, and indirect evidence suggests that men aged 50 to 69 years will benefit most while those aged 70 and older will benefit least from it. The goal of our study was to describe usual care patterns for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing by primary care physicians in the United States. ⋯ Our findings suggest that during the mid-1990s prostate cancer screening decisions by primary care physicians were not sensitive to patients' ages.
-
The goal of our study was to understand the important issues to consider when screening women for intimate partner violence in front of their children. ⋯ More research is needed to understand appropriate questions and methods of screening for intimate partner violence in front of children. The tension is between practical recommendations for routine screening and preserving the safety of the parent and the children. Intimate partner violence screening by physicians is important. Interrupting the cycle of violence may give a child a better chance at maturing into a healthy adult.
-
Our goal was to determine what drugs are most efficacious for controlling the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation. ⋯ The calcium-channel blockers verapamil or diltiazem, or select beta-blockers are efficacious for heart rate control at rest and during exercise for patients with atrial fibrillation without a clinically important decrease in exercise tolerance. Digoxin is useful when rate control during exercise is less a concern.