Family practice
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To identify the clinical features of colorectal cancer presenting as a surgical emergency. ⋯ The majority of patients destined to have an emergency presentation of colorectal cancer have reported symptoms of their cancer to their doctor well before the emergency. Some emergency presentations should therefore be preventable.
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Protected learning time (PLT) schemes have been set up in primary care across the UK. There is little published evidence of their effectiveness. ⋯ PLT schemes can contribute to beneficial changes in prescribing across a large geographical area.
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Health organisations continually seek good output indicators of family medicine health care provision because they are accountable to society, they need to compare services, and need to evaluate the impact of organisational reforms. ⋯ Using sources of information that are routinely employed in primary health care services management, the model enables the measurement of the output of family medicine by considering the dimensions such as inter-personnel relationships, internal coordination of the team and the scientific-technical quality of the service. Despite its simplicity, this measure of the output incorporates the views not only of the users but of the health care professionals, as well.
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Research is needed about the usage of complementary and alternative medicines within culturally diverse groups because of a growing number of people who use these remedies. ⋯ The combined use of TCM and WHS is common among elderly Chinese immigrants. Culture-related variables are important in determining use of TCM. The predictors identified should help physicians to recognize who among the elderly Chinese immigrants are more likely to use TCM so that a more in-depth understanding toward their health practices and needs can be achieved.
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People of South Asian origin have higher mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes than those of European origin. However, physical activity, of established value in primary and secondary prevention, appears lower among South Asians. ⋯ Better health professional guidance on appropriate physical activity, its health benefits and its safety is needed for this highly at-risk group. Promoting informal moderate-intensity physical activity may help. Strategies should avoid any tendency to overemphasize cultural barriers noting greater similarities than differences between cultural groups.