Patient education and counseling
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Anxiety levels in women attending a colposcopy clinic: a randomised trial of an educational intervention using video colposcopy.
A video colposcopy allows the real-time images viewed by the doctor performing the examination to be viewed by patients on a television monitor during the consultation. Eighty-one women (requiring either laser treatment or a normal recheck) were randomly assigned to either the video intervention group or the control group. A significant decrease in state anxiety was observed from one visit to the next in all patients (P = 0.000). ⋯ Patients in the experimental groups also reported less pain than patients in the control conditions (P < 0.05). This benefit associated with video colposcopy was not observed on the second (treatment) visit. In conclusion, video colposcopy is a useful and time-efficient method that reduces patient anxiety and pain during examination visits, but not necessarily during visits where laser treatment is required.
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This study explored factors that influence self-care from the perspective of individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Seven focus groups were held with individuals who had physician diagnosed COPD and experienced daily symptoms that limited activities. Forty-two subjects participated in the study. ⋯ Although participants experienced major physical limitations, the issues highlighted were those of individuals striving to survive with COPD and to hold on to some quality of life through adjusting physically and emotionally. Individuals with COPD have developed strategies to adapt to the disease, compensate for limitations, and integrate self-care activities for managing COPD into their daily routine. Health professionals should use approaches that support the whole needs of the individual to achieve the best quality of life for individuals with COPD and their families.
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In this study, we examined Balint group participants' sense of control and satisfaction in their work situation and their attitudes towards caring for patients with psychosomatic problems. Forty-one GPs filled in a questionnaire with a 10-point visual analogue scale. ⋯ The Balint physicians reported better control of their work situation (e.g. taking coffee breaks and participating in decision making), thought less often that the patient should not have come for consultation or that psychosomatic patients were a time-consuming burden, and were less inclined to refer patients or take unneeded tests to terminate the consultation with the patient. These results might indicate higher work-related satisfaction and better doctor-patient relationship.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Evaluation of a community rehabilitation service for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a community rehabilitation service for people with rheumatoid arthritis, provided by the Community Rehabilitation Network (CRN) in Hong Kong. The three-phase community rehabilitation service consists of a number of standardized program elements, including orientation meeting, self-help course, stress management program, water exercises class, as well as informal social and recreational activities. Using a pre-, post-test non-equivalent groups design, the outcomes of 29 clients of the treatment group were compared with 16 clients of the comparison group at baseline and at the end of 9 months, using an 86-item self-completed questionnaire. The treatment group achieved significant more increases in self-efficacy of managing the illness, more increases in self-management behaviors, but no significant increases in the overall health status or health care utilization patterns, when compared with the comparison group.