Studies in health technology and informatics
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This study aims to describe primary care professionals' self-reported attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBP), attention to information sources, perceptions of the barriers to EBP and strategies to improve insight in EBP and patient care. An e-mail invitation with link to an Internet-based survey was sent to Belgian medical doctors (MDs), nurses and paramedics. Under paramedics, we've included emergency medical technicians, firemen and medical volunteers (Red Cross). ⋯ The most appropriate method for actual implementation of evidence-based practice at all levels of health care is to provide summaries of evidence, easily understandable protocols and web-based databases accessible from the working environment. Students should not only learn the skills related to EBP, but should be able to integrate knowledge effectively in the clinical setting and routine care. Above all, their supervisors themselves need to evolve from 'experience-based' to evidence-based practice'.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Using SNOMED CT codes for coding information in electronic health records for stroke patients.
For a project on development of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) for stroke patients, medical information was organised in care information models (templates). All (medical) concepts in these templates need a unique code to make electronic information exchange between different EHR systems possible. When no unique code could be found in an existing coding system, a code was made up. ⋯ However, for the scientific scales only 26% of the concepts could get a SNOMED CT code. Although the percentage of SNOMED CT codes found is lower than expected, we still think SNOMED CT could be a useful coding system for the concepts necessary for the continuity of care for stroke patients, and the inclusion in Electronic Health Records. Partly this is due to the fact that SNOMED CT has the option to request unique codes for new concepts, and is currently working on scale representation.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction before posterior correction in severe scoliosis.
To retrospectively analyse clinical features and related factors of brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction before posterior correction in severe scoliosis. ⋯ Brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction in severe scoliosis is related to the weight of traction, body type and patient-pathology status. If the symptoms are promptly detected with rehabilitation training and appropriate drug treatment adopted, complete nerve functional restoration can be achieved.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Variations of the position of the cerebellar tonsil in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with severe curves: a MRI study.
This study is an investigation into the position of the cerebellar tonsils in AIS with severe curves and any relationship it has with age, sex, curve severity and curve pattern. Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hindbrain was performed on both of 205 AIS patients with a Cobb angle greater than 40 degrees and 86 healthy controls. The position of the cerebellar tonsil relative to the line connecting the basion and opisthion (BO line) was measured. ⋯ However, a significant lower incidence of tonsillar ectopia (p=0.049) was found in patients with lumbar curves when compared to those with thoracic or thoracolumbar curves. In conclusion, there was a relatively lower position of the cerebellar tonsil together with a significant higher incidence of tonsil ectopia in AIS patients. There was a trend that tonsillar ectopia was more often in thoracic or thoraco-lumbar curves, suggesting that a lower position of the cerebellar tonsil may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of AIS.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Nurses confronting sexual harassment in the medical environment.
Sexual harassment is an important and widespread public health problem, particularly for nurses who work in the medical environment. Some studies note that nursing is the profession with the highest rates of sexual harassment; however, few studies of sexual harassment of nurses in the medical workplace were found in Taiwan. Methodologically, a cross-sectional survey with a self-administered structured questionnaire was implemented for this study. ⋯ A total of 307 subjects were selected. The results show: (1) there are 175 subjects who experienced sexual harassment in medical practice, which is 57% of 307 sampled nurses; (2) the frequency of verbal sexual harassment (55.7%) is higher than non-verbal sexual harassment (40.1%) and physical sexual harassment (39.1%). The results of this study can provide information for the teaching hospitals and clinical instructors to help understand the prevalence and management strategies for nurses suffering from sexual harassment in the medical workplace.