Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEnhanced communication skills and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for respiratory tract infection: 3.5-year follow-up of a cluster randomized trial.
The purpose of the study was to assess the long-term effect of family physicians' use of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing and/or physician training in enhanced communication skills on office visit rates and antibiotic prescriptions for patients with respiratory tract infections. ⋯ Family physicians' use of CRP point-of-care testing and/or training in enhanced communication skills did not significantly affect office visit rates related to respiratory tract infections. Patients who saw a family physician trained in enhanced communication skills were prescribed significantly fewer antibiotics during episodes of respiratory tract infection in the subsequent 3.5 years.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialOsteopathic manual treatment and ultrasound therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
We studied the efficacy of osteopathic manual treatment (OMT) and ultrasound therapy (UST) for chronic low back pain. ⋯ The OMT regimen met or exceeded the Cochrane Back Review Group criterion for a medium effect size in relieving chronic low back pain. It was safe, parsimonious, and well accepted by patients.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of peer health coaching on glycemic control in low-income patients with diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.
Peer health coaches offer a potential model for extending the capacity of primary care practices to provide self-management support for patients with diabetes. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether clinic-based peer health coaching, compared with usual care, improves glycemic control for low-income patients who have poorly controlled diabetes. ⋯ Peer health coaching significantly improved diabetes control in this group of low-income primary care patients.