Journal of general internal medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Smoking cessation among inner-city African Americans using the nicotine transdermal patch.
To determine the efficacy of the transdermal nicotine patch for smoking cessation in inner-city African Americans. ⋯ The nicotine patch significantly improves short-term quit rates in inner-city African Americans who are interested in trying to quit smoking. Efforts should be made to reach underserved populations through smoking cessation programs, and to assist in maintaining abstinence.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Patient and physician roles in end-of-life decision making. End-of-Life Study Group.
This study is a cross-sectional descriptive survey of randomly selected primary care patients and physicians regarding patient, physician, and family roles in end-of-life decision making. The subjects included 329 adult outpatients and 272 practicing physicians. ⋯ Patients were more likely than physicians to believe the physician should provide a recommendation in addition to facts to help the patient make end-of-life decisions. We conclude that patients prefer a more active role for physicians in both decision making and discussion of end-of-life care than do physicians themselves.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Clinic HIV-focused features and prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
To examine the association of clinic HIV-focused features and advanced HIV care experience with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis and development of PCP as the initial AIDS diagnosis. ⋯ PCP prevention in our study cohort appears to be more successful in clinics offering an array of HIV-focused features.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The HIV-specific advance directive.
To determine whether persons living with HIV find a disease-specific advance directive more acceptable than a generic directive. ⋯ Persons living with HIV prefer a disease-specific to a generic advance directive. They should be offered a disease-specific advance directive. Our findings should also encourage investigators to develop and evaluate disease-specific advance directives in other clinical settings.
-
To explore potential item bias in the CAGE questions (mnemonic for cut-down, annoyed, guilty, and eye-opener) when used to screen for alcohol use disorders in primary care patients. ⋯ Despite its many advantages, the CAGE questionnaire is an inconsistent indicator of alcohol use disorders when used with male and female primary care patients of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds. Gender and cultural differences in the consequences of drinking and perceptions of problem alcohol use may explain these effects. These biases suggest the CAGE is a poor "rule-out" screening test. Brief and unbiased screens for alcohol use disorders in primary care patients are needed.