Journal of general internal medicine
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Comparative Study
Can improved prescription medication labeling influence adherence to chronic medications? An evaluation of the Target pharmacy label.
Prescription medication labels contain valuable health information, and better labels may enhance patient adherence to chronic medications. A new prescription medication labeling system was implemented by Target pharmacies in May 2005 and aimed to improve readability and understanding. ⋯ We found no changes in adherence of chronic medication in new users, and small and likely clinically unimportant changes in prevalent users after implementation of the new label. While adherence may not be improved with better labeling, evaluation of the effect of labeling on safety and adverse effects is needed.
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Comparative Study
Early identification of co-occurring pain, depression and anxiety.
Depression and anxiety frequently co-occur with pain and may affect treatment outcomes. Early identification of these co-occurring psychiatric conditions during routine pain screening may be critical for optimal treatment. ⋯ VA patients with moderate-severe pain are at high risk for psychological distress, which often goes unrecognized. Providers need to be more vigilant to mental health problems in patients experiencing high pain levels. Targeted screening for co-occurring conditions is warranted.
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Review Meta Analysis
Obesity and mammography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obese women experience higher postmenopausal breast cancer risk, morbidity, and mortality and may be less likely to undergo mammography. ⋯ Morbidly obese women are significantly less likely to report recent mammography. This relationship appears stronger in white women. Lower screening rates may partly explain the higher breast cancer mortality in morbidly obese women.
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Comparative Study
African Americans' perceptions of physician attempts to address obesity in the primary care setting.
Obesity disproportionately affects African Americans and leads to several major co-morbidities. While guidelines recommend physicians identify obese patients and counsel them on weight management, little is known about how these efforts are received by patients. ⋯ Physicians must be cognizant of the potential unintended consequences of the techniques they use to educate and counsel African-American men and women on obesity, particularly those that may be perceived as negative and act to further alienate obese patients from seeking the care they need.