Family practice
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to improve the care given in general practice to Type II diabetic patients: patient outcomes and professional ability to change behaviour.
Our objective was to evaluate the effect of training in a patient-centred intervention for GPs and practice nurses on outcomes for patients with Type II diabetes. ⋯ The efficacy of this behavioural intervention remains unproved, despite its acceptability to professional staff. Detailed and prolonged development and testing of behavioural interventions is an essential first step before embarking on randomized controlled trials which involve complex behavioural changes in professionals or patients.
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This study aimed to examine the factors affecting prescription of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in ambulatory care settings in Japan. ⋯ A majority of patients receiving medical care for acute bronchitis are given an unnecessary antibiotic prescription. The result of this study may be useful for the finding of appropriate forms of intervention for changing physicians' prescription behaviour.
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We aimed to explore the relative impact of medical and other situational motives on GP's decisions to refer patients to specialist care in a general hospital, and to assess whether having access to a GP hospital influences the decisions. ⋯ Medical motives dominate the decision to refer patients to general hospitals, but access to a GP hospital, in cases where nursing needs and long distances to the general hospital are supplementary considerations, reduces the proportion of patients being referred to general hospitals.