Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2008
ReviewInterventions on frequent attenders in primary care. A systematic literature review.
To analyse which interventions are effective in influencing morbidity, quality of life, and healthcare utilization of frequently attending patients (FAs) in primary care. ⋯ No study showed convincing evidence that an intervention improves QoL or morbidity of frequent attending primary care patients, although a small effect might be possible in a subgroup of depressed frequent attenders. No evidence was found that it is possible to influence healthcare utilization of FAs.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2008
Problems in sickness certification of patients: a qualitative study on views of 26 physicians in Sweden.
To identify what problems physicians experience in sickness certification of patients. ⋯ The problems identified have negative consequences both for patients and for the well-being of physicians. Many of the problems seem related to inadequate leadership and management of sickness certification issues. Therefore, they cannot be handled merely by training of physicians, which has so far been the main intervention in this area. They also have to be addressed on manager levels within healthcare. Further research is needed on how physicians cope with the problems identified and on managers' strategies and responsibilities in relation to these problems. If the complexity of the problems is not recognized, there is a risk that inadequate actions will be taken to solve them.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of anti-secretory factor (ASF) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A double-blind, randomized study.
To evaluate the role of the endogenous protein anti-secretory factor (ASF) on the symptoms, especially loose stools, in irritable bowel ayndrome (IBS). ⋯ Both study groups improved significantly on the VAS but no additive effect was seen for the active treatment. In the sub-group with loose stools, the SPC diet induced ASF plasma levels in IBS patients and was correlated to significant symptom improvement in the individual patient.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyHigh prevalence of emphysema and its association with BMI: a study of smokers with normal spirometry.
To evaluate to what extent emphysema was evident, as identified by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT), in smokers with normal lung function and to relate age, gender, smoking history, and body mass index (BMI) to the HRCT results. A secondary aim was to study to what extent emphysema was present in smokers with lower normal values of lung function defined as FEV(1)/FVC ratio percentage of predicted value (89-93% of predicted value for males and 90-93% for females) or FEF(50) < or = 60% of predicted compared with smokers without this definition. ⋯ There was a high occurrence of visual emphysema in middle-aged smokers with normal lung function. The densitometric quantitative analysis method is inadequate for detecting mild emphysema. High prevalence of emphysema was associated with low BMI.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2008
Characteristics of non-urgent patients. Cross-sectional study of emergency department and primary care patients.
To describe characteristics of patients seeking medical attention for non-urgent conditions at an emergency department (ED) and patients who use non-scheduled services in primary healthcare. ⋯ Symptoms, previous hospitalization and current perception of symptoms seemed to be the main factors discriminating between patients studied at the different sites. There were no substantial sociodemographic differences between the primary care centre patients and the ED patients.