Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2000
Wide variation in the number of different drugs prescribed by general practitioners. A prescription database study.
To investigate the number of different drugs prescribed per dispensing unit and to analyse the influence of practice characteristics on this number. ⋯ As the quality of drug prescribing is associated with the use of a limited number of drugs, it is suggested that GPs should agree on a formulary containing the most essential drugs in primary health care.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2000
Reforming primary care in England--again. Plans for improving the quality of care.
An extensive programme of health service reform has begun in England. Improvement in the quality of care is a key objective of the reforms, and several initiatives are being introduced in response. These include systems to provide national guidance about appropriate treatment and services, a local system to support quality improvement and arrangements to monitor performance, including a new performance framework, an inspection agency and an annual survey of patients. ⋯ These include arrangements for setting objectives for quality improvement, the use of various quality improvement methods tailored to local needs and a new system to provide accountability to both the health service and the public. The introduction of clinical governance and all the other reforms presents primary care practitioners with a major challenge. However, if sufficient time is allowed and adequate resources are made available, the reforms do have the potential to improve health care in England.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2000
Sick-listing habits among general practitioners in a Swedish county.
To describe sick-listing habits in general practice, how common it is and for how long and for what diagnoses it is granted. ⋯ Patients appear to have a strong influence on sick-listing practice, and there are important sex differences among GPs in this practice.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2000
Smokers over age 35 continue to receive oral contraceptives. Survey of patients in a family practice residency practice.
To assess the frequency with which women over age 35 report both current oral contraceptive use and current cigarette smoking. ⋯ Despite reported cardiovascular risk, women who smoke continue to receive prescriptions for oral contraceptives. Physicians should redouble efforts to record smoking status and offer smoking cessation treatment to women over age 35 who smoke and wish to take oral contraceptives.