Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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Signs and symptoms can be considered as diagnostic tests, updating prior odds by applying Bayes' theorem. In homeopathy, signs and symptoms guide the doctor when prescribing appropriate medicines but the powers of these indicators are largely based on common experience. ⋯ A diagnostic patient-outcome study within homeopathy collecting a large amount of data is demonstrated. Results partly confirm clinical practice at a 95% confidence level. This kind of research could validate knowledge from practical experience.
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To evaluate the prevalence of long-term urinary catheter (UC) indwelling and potentially inappropriate urinary catheterization among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Taiwan. ⋯ The prevalence of long-term UC indwelling among Taiwanese LTCF residents was high and a high proportion of their UC may be removable. A national audit and introducing a practice guideline for continence care in LTCFs may help to promote quality of care for institutionalized older people in Taiwan.
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This study aimed to develop and validate a short version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS) that would reduce respondent burden and could be used in routine cancer care, without compromising the psychometric properties of the original instrument. ⋯ The SCNS-SF34 is a valid instrument for measuring cancer patients' perceived needs across a range of domains, and could be utilized as part of routine cancer care.
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Comparative Study
Training health care providers in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence: pre- and post-training results.
Health care providers have an extended reach into the population of tobacco users. Increasing the number and variety of health care providers that deliver the evidence-based, brief interventions for tobacco use prescribed by the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline is likely to result in more tobacco users exposed to evidence-based treatments and more successful quit attempts. Effective training is key to increasing provider performance and proficiency in this regard. ⋯ A large potential benefit can be garnered from a brief, targeted, 1-hour training in the brief, evidence-based interventions for treating tobacco use and dependence. Increases in perceived knowledge and positive attitudes towards treatment among the professional groups suggest that trainees will perform interventions at higher frequency post-training. Overall gains were highest for dental providers and nurses.
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Trust in one's doctor has been associated with increased treatment adherence, patient satisfaction and improved health status. This study investigated the level and correlates of patient trust in their cardiac specialist. ⋯ The significance of education is corroborated by findings of lower satisfaction with cardiac care among those of higher socio-economic status, despite having generally greater access to care in Ontario. Moreover, the relationship between hypertension and greater trust may suggest that such perceptions are not based on doctor competence. Future studies should further investigate the correlates of trust, as well as the impact of trust on cardiac health outcomes.