BMJ : British medical journal
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Primary care in the accident and emergency department: I. Prospective identification of patients.
To compare patient characteristics and consultation activities for attenders at accident and emergency departments assessed by nurse triage as presenting with "primary care" or "accident and emergency" type problems. ⋯ Accident and emergency triage can be developed to identify patients with problems that are more likely to be of a primary care type, and these patients are less likely to receive an investigation, minor surgical procedure, or referral. Many patients in this category, however, receive interventions likely to support their decision to attend accident and emergency rather than general practice. This may reflect limitations in the sensitivity of triage practice or a clinical approach of junior medical staff that includes a propensity to intervene.
-
To examine the relation between low serum total cholesterol concentrations and causes of mortality. ⋯ The association between comparatively low serum total cholesterol concentrations and excess mortality seemed to be due to preclinical cancer and other non-cardiovascular diseases. This suggests that public health programmes encouraging lower average concentrations of serum total cholesterol are unlikely to be associated with increased cancer or other non-cardiovascular mortality.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain: results from extended follow up.
To compare the effectiveness over three years of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain. ⋯ At three years the results confirm the findings of an earlier report that when chiropractic or hospital therapists treat patients with low back pain as they would in day to day practice those treated by chiropractic derive more benefit and long term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.