Journal of general internal medicine
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1) To determine whether the frequencies of panic disorder (PD) and depression (DEP) in an emergency department (ED) population were comparable to those in other primary care groups; 2) to evaluate whether patients without the clinical diagnosis of acute cardiac ischemia (ACI) had higher frequencies of these disorders; and 3) to identify characteristic clinical findings in patients with PD or DEP. ⋯ This study suggests that approximately one in three patients presenting to the ED with acute pain has symptoms consistent with a psychiatric disorder. These disorders occur frequently in both those with and those without acute cardiac ischemia, and clinical variables may help identify these frequent ED utilizers.
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To determine whether the protective effects of seat belt use on acute injury are followed by corresponding reductions in outpatient health care utilization. ⋯ Seat belt use does not result in lower utilization of follow-up outpatient services in the year following injury. However, the beneficial effects on acute care utilization more than offset the marginal effects on subsequent medical services utilization.
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To compare nurse practitioner (NP) and physician rates of breast and cervical cancer screening among poor, elderly black women. ⋯ Use of a NP to deliver same-day screening is an effective strategy to target poor, elderly black women for breast and cervical cancer screening. However, even with the substantial increases in rates obtained with the NP intervention, screening in this vulnerable population remains below nationally targeted levels.
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Comparative Study
A questionnaire for patients' evaluations of their physicians' humanistic behaviors.
To determine what behaviors patients perceive as reflecting a physician's humanistic qualities, to develop an instrument for patients to use to assess the humanistic behaviors of their own physicians, and to compare patient assessment of residents' humanistic behaviors with patient satisfaction and the assessment of attending physicians. ⋯ Patients can evaluate the humanistic behaviors of their physicians using the PHBQ. There is good correlation between the PHBQ and patient satisfaction, which supports the validity of the PHBQ. The relative lack of agreement between patients and attending physicians suggests different observations, criteria, or standards. The higher ratings from patients in the clinic compared with those from patients in the hospital suggest that residents' behaviors are different or that patients have different observations, criteria, or standards in the two settings. Therefore, a complete assessment of residents' humanistic behaviors may require sampling in both settings.
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Editorial Comment
Evaluation of humanistic qualities and communication skills.