The Journal of family practice
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effect of an illustrated pamphlet decision-aid on the use of prostate cancer screening tests.
Prostate cancer screening with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) continues to increase. Our goal was to test the effect of a prostate cancer screening decision-aid on patients' knowledge, beliefs, and use of prostate cancer screening tests. ⋯ When used in a primary care setting, an illustrated pamphlet decision-aid was effective in increasing knowledge of prostate cancer screening tests but did not change the use of these tests.
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Comparative Study
The physician's role in educating patients. A comparison of mailed versus physician-delivered patient education.
Patients value receiving educational information during office visits, but physicians often lack the time or training to satisfy this need. We examined whether an increased physician role in educating patients is an effective means of improving patient satisfaction. ⋯ The patients who received self-care information from their physicians were significantly more satisfied with their care and their physician-patient communication experience than those in either the direct-mail group or the control group. Our findings lend support to the growing evidence that patients informed by their physicians are more satisfied with their care.
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Our goal was to determine if any treatment of acute herpes zoster alters the incidence or duration of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a common sequela in elderly patients. ⋯ There is limited evidence that current interventions prevent or shorten PHN. Famciclovir and valacyclovir have been shown to reduce the duration of PHN in single published trials. Well-designed and larger trials of amitriptyline and PENS should be conducted.
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Sexuality is an important part of health, quality of life, and general wellbeing. Studies indicate that less than half of patients' sexual concerns are known by their physicians, and physicians are unaware of how common these sexual concerns are in their practices. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and type of sexual concerns among women seeking routine gynecological care. ⋯ Our results suggest that sexual health concerns are prevalent for women seeking routine gynecological care. Sexual health inquiry should be a regular and important part of health care maintenance.