Family practice
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Feasibility and acceptability of TRANSFoRm to improve clinical trial recruitment in primary care.
Recruitment of study participants is a challenging process for health professionals and patients. The Translational Medicine and Patient Safety in Europe (TRANSFoRm) clinical trial tools enable automated identification, recruitment and follow-up in clinical trials, potentially saving time, effort and costs for all parties involved. ⋯ This study provides new evidence on the acceptability and feasibility of TRANSFoRm to enable automated identification, recruitment and follow-up of study participants in primary care trials. It also helps to better understand and address users' requirements in eHealth-supported clinical research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Explaining engagement in self-monitoring among participants of the DESMOND Self-monitoring Trial: a qualitative interview study.
The Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) Self-monitoring Trial reported that people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes attending community-based structured education and randomized to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) or urine monitoring had comparable improvements in biomedical outcomes, but differences in satisfaction with, and continued use of monitoring method, well-being and perceived threat from diabetes. ⋯ The findings highlight the importance for professionals of considering patients' preferences when using self-monitoring technologies, including how these change over time, when supporting the self-care behaviours of people with type 2 diabetes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Is C-reactive protein testing useful to predict outcome in patients with acute bronchitis?
A recent clinical trial could not find differences between anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and placebo in shortening the duration of symptoms in acute bronchitis. ⋯ Among patients with uncomplicated acute bronchitis and discoloured sputum, the CRP concentrations at presentation are not helpful for predicting symptom resolution.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Is screening for AF worthwhile? Stroke risk in a screened population from the SAFE study.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important independent risk factor for stroke and oral anticoagulation therapy provides a highly effective treatment to reduce this risk. Active screening strategies improve detection of AF in comparison with routine care; however, whether screen-detected patients have stroke risk profiles favouring anticoagulation is unclear. Using data derived from the screening for AF in the elderly (SAFE) study, the aim of this article was to determine if patients with AF detected via active screening have stroke risk profiles that warrant prophylactic anticoagulation. ⋯ Stroke risk profiles of patients detected via opportunistic and systematic screenings were similar. Data derived from the SAFE study suggest that active screening for AF in patients aged ≥65 years in primary care is a useful screening programme with 78-83% of patients identified eligible for anticoagulation treatment according to the CHADS2 criteria.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Patients' experiences of participating in a large-scale trial of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: a mixed methods study.
Adequate recruitment and retention rates are vital to achieving a successful randomized controlled trial. Historically this has been particularly challenging in mental health research. Few researchers have explored patients' reasons for taking part and remaining in a depression trial. ⋯ Patients felt they benefited from being in the trial because it enabled them to reflect on their feelings. For some, taking part increased their feelings of self-worth. These findings may be applicable to trials where feelings of inclusion and being valued are likely to promote continued participation.