Journal of general internal medicine
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To describe patterns of physical activity and to determine factors associated with engaging in regular exercise, especially walking, in elderly white women. ⋯ In this healthy cohort, walking for exercise is associated with other positive health behaviors. Given the mounting evidence about the health benefits of walking, and since many of these community dwelling women can and do walk for exercise, but rarely engage in other common prescribed physical activities, clinicians might best focus their efforts on encouraging walking.
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The objectives of the study were to identify the characteristics of a problematic doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of primary care patients who are cared for by medical residents and to determine whether patients' perception of the relationship is a function of their demographic, clinical, or social attributes. ⋯ Patients were more likely to describe the doctor-patient relationship as problematic if they felt that the resident was less accessible or less capable of handling medical complaints, or if they had low self-perceived social support.
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Specific elements of health care process and physician behavior have been shown to influence disenrollment decisions in HMOs, but not in outpatient settings caring for patients with diverse types of insurance coverage. ⋯ Failure of physicians to acknowledge patient concerns, provide explanations of care, and spend sufficient time with patients may contribute to patients' decisions to discontinue care at their usual site of care.
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To identify the preferences and concerns of seriously ill patients about discussing religious and spiritual beliefs with physicians. ⋯ Religion and spirituality are a source of comfort for many patients. Although not necessarily expecting physicians to discuss spirituality, patients want physicians to ask about coping and support mechanisms. This exploratory study suggests that if patients then disclose the importance of spiritual beliefs in their lives, they would like physicians to respect these values.
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Multicenter Study
Quality of life is impaired in men with chronic prostatitis: the Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network.
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment may be a central component of chronic prostatitis for men afflicted with this condition. Our objective was to examine HRQOL, and factors associated with HRQOL, using both general and condition-specific instruments. ⋯ Men with chronic prostatitis experience impairment in the mental and physical domains of general HRQOL, as well as condition-specific HRQOL. To optimize the care of men with this condition, clinicians should consider administering HRQOL instruments to their patients to better understand the impact of the condition on patients' lives.