Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
-
In rheumatic disorders, one of the treatment objectives is to improve the patient's quality of life (QoL). Similar to other chronic conditions, drug compliance is poor, but necessary for successful treatment. The relationship between drug compliance and QoL has never been tested. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between drug compliance and QoL in patients with different rheumatic disorders. ⋯ Doctors caring for rheumatic patients should focus their efforts on strengthening drug compliance in patients with higher QoL where it seems that lower compliance is more likely.
-
Smartphone and mobile application technology have in recent years furthered the development of novel learning and assessment resources. 'MBChB Mobile' is a pioneering mobile learning (M-Learning) programme at University of Leeds, United Kingdom and provides all senior medical students with iPhone handsets complete with academic applications, assessment software and a virtual reflective environment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MBChB Mobile on student learning. ⋯ As one of the largest evaluative and only quantitative study of smartphone-assisted M-Learning in undergraduate medical education, MBChB Mobile suggests that smartphone and application technology enhances students' learning experience. Barriers to implementation may be addressed through the provision of tailored learning resources, along with user-defined support systems, and appropriate means of ensuring acceptability to patients.
-
Biologics are substantially more expensive than their conventional counterparts but it is unclear whether extra costs deliver better health outcomes. We compare clinical and economic outcomes between teriparatide (monthly costs $1120) and bisphosphonates (monthly costs $14) among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ⋯ The biological agent, teriparatide, is more expensive yet less effective than conventional treatment, bisphosphonates.
-
Molecular targeted drugs (MTD), gefitinib and erlotinib, have been proven to provide clinical benefits to advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Therefore, access to such medical innovations in time is critical for patients with the right indications. The aim of this study was to explore determinants of the adoption of MTD among NSCLC patients under Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system. ⋯ Our findings suggest that both patient- and hospital-level characteristics significantly affected the adoption of MTD among NSCLC patients.
-
Identifying medication discrepancies across transitions of care is a common patient safety problem. Research examining relations between medication discrepancies and adherence, however, is limited. The objective of this investigation is to explore the relations between adherence and patient-provider medication discrepancies, and to test the hypothesis that non-adherence would be associated with medication discrepancies. ⋯ Findings suggest a complex relation between treatment adherence and medication discrepancies in which patient well-being and regimen complexity work in tandem to create discordance between patient and provider medication plans. Simplifying regimens when possible and attending to patient life satisfaction may improve adherence to a regimen constructed jointly between patient and provider.