The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Review Meta Analysis
Self-help books for depression: how can practitioners and patients make the right choice?
Depression is a common and important public health problem most often treated by GPs. A self-help approach is popular with patients, yet little is known about its effectiveness. ⋯ There are a number of self-help books for the treatment of depression readily available. For the majority, there is little direct evidence for their effectiveness. There is weak evidence that suggests that bibliotherapy, based on a cognitive behavioural therapy approach is useful for some people when they are given some additional guidance. More work is required in primary care to investigate the cost-effectiveness of self-help and the most suitable format and presentation of materials.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Randomised controlled trial of a hypothyroid educational booklet to improve thyroxine adherence.
Non-adherence with medication prescribed for chronic disease is ubiquitous and undermines the benefits of effective therapy. ⋯ Brief intervention with an educational booklet has no influence on thyroxine adherence or health in patients with primary hypothyroidism. These findings do not support the routine distribution of health educational materials to improve medication adherence.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Coronary heart disease prevention and age inequalities: the first year of the National Service Framework for CHD.
The National Service Framework for Heart Disease sets national standards and defines service models for coronary heart disease (CHD). Little is known about the impact of this intervention on age inequalities. ⋯ There have been substantial improvements in both the recording of coronary risk factors and disease control measures following the implementation of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. However, there needs to be an effort to strengthen the focus on the care of older patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The effect of educational intervention on intercultural communication: results of a randomised controlled trial.
Due to worldwide migration to Western countries, physicians are increasingly encountering patients with different ethnic backgrounds. Communication problems can arise as a result of differences in cultural backgrounds and poor language proficiency. ⋯ A double intervention on intercultural communication given to both physician and patient decreases the gap in quality of care between 'Western' and 'non-Western' patients.