Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2007
The lesser evil? Initiating a benzodiazepine prescription in general practice: a qualitative study on GPs' perspectives.
Chronic benzodiazepine (BZD) use is widespread and linked with adverse effects. There is consensus concerning the importance of initiating BZD as a crucial moment. Nevertheless specific research in this field is lacking. This paper addresses the views of GPs on why they start prescribing BZDs to first-time users. ⋯ The main concern of GPs is to help the patient. GPs should be aware of the addictive nature of BZD even in low doses and a non-pharmacological approach should be seen as the best first approach. If GPs decide to prescribe a BZD they should make plain to the patient that the medication is only a "temporary" solution with clear agreements with regard to medication withdrawal.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2007
The dilemma of patient responsibility for lifestyle change: perceptions among primary care physicians and nurses.
To explore physicians' and nurses' views on patient and professional roles in the management of lifestyle-related diseases and their risk factors. ⋯ The primary care professionals experienced a dilemma in patients' role in the treatment of lifestyle-related diseases: the patient was recognized as central in disease management but also, if reluctant to change, a major potential barrier to treatment.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffects of treatment with a commercially available St John's Wort product (Movina) on cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with simvastatin.
To assess the effect of treatment with a St John's Wort product (Movina) on cholesterol levels (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol) in patients with hypercholesterolemia on treatment with a stable dose of simvastatin. ⋯ Products containing St John's Wort should not be given to patients with hypercholesterolemia who are on treatment with simvastatin.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRecognition of fasting or overall hyperglycaemia when starting insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes in general practice.
The efficacy of various regimens of initial insulin treatment in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes was compared with regard to diurnal glucose variation. ⋯ Not all poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients should automatically be treated with an oral agent and bedtime insulin. Two daily insulin injections is a valid choice, particularly if the patient has overall hyperglycaemia.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2007
Comparative StudyThe profiles of adults who consult alternative health practitioners and/or general practitioners.
To compare the profiles of people visiting only a general practitioner (GP), those visiting only a practitioner of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and those visiting both (GP&CAM). ⋯ There were few CAM-only users and they differ from GP-only users by being male, aged 30-69, and without cardiovascular disease. Users of both GP&CAM were less healthy with more complaints and poorer self-reported health than GP- and CAM-only users.