Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2014
[New spirometric reference equations for healthy Chilean adults].
To correctly interpret spirometric results, reference values should come from the same population. Current spirometric reference equations have been under scrutiny due to deficiencies to fit adequately for Chilean population, specially, for those aged over 65 years old. ⋯ The new spirometric references values derived from this study, fit better than currently used ones. Therefore, they should be used as new references values for Chilean adults.
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Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2014
Guideline[Therapeutic strategies to increase the effectiveness of cough].
Cough is a natural reflex that protects respiratory airways against infections or mucus retention. Cough maintains an adequate cleaning of the airways and is a mainstay of respiratory therapy. It can be triggered voluntarily by the patient or by a specific cough device. ⋯ Different therapeutic measures may help to increase cough efficiency among patients with cough weakness. These interventions may be performed using manual techniques or by mechanical devices. The aim of this review is to analyze the different techniques available for cough assistance, set a hierarchy of use and establish a scientific basis for their application in clinical practice.
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Revista médica de Chile · Jan 2014
[The relevance of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) for medical publishing and research].
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors is a leading independent institution providing guidance for the report of biomedical research and health related topics in medical journals. Established in 1978, it is currently constituted by editors of fourteen general medical journals from different countries, plus one representative for the US National Library of Medicine and one representative for the World Association of Biomedical Journal Editors. Since 1978 the Committee provides a document, originally named "Uniform Requirements…", "to help authors, editors, and others involved in peer review and biomedical publishing create and distribute accurate, clear, unbiased medical journal articles". ⋯ The ICMJE discusses and provides guidance on several relevant aspects including criteria on authorship, peer review, scientific misconduct, conflicts of interest, clinical trials registration, good editorial practices, the relations between editors and journal owners, the protection of individuals subject to medical research, the solvency of electronic publications, among others. The 2013 ICMJE Annual Meeting took place in Santiago, Chile, in November 4 and 5. The photograph shows attendants to the final session.
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Revista médica de Chile · Jan 2014
Review[Critically appraised article: The quality of clinical practice guidelines over the last two decades: a systematic review of guidelines appraisal studies].
Despite the increasing number of manuals on how to develop clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) there remain concerns about their quality. The aim of this study was to review the quality of CPGs across a wide range of healthcare topics published since 1980. ⋯ This review shows that despite some increase in quality of CPGs over time, the quality scores as measured with the AGREE Instrument have remained moderate to low over the last two decades. This finding urges guideline developers to continue improving the quality of their products. International collaboration could help increasing the efficiency of the process.
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Revista médica de Chile · Jan 2014
Multicenter Study Observational Study[Information disclosure and decision making preferences of patients with advanced cancer in a Pain and Palliative Care Unit in Chile].
Information disclosure and decision making process are important steps in advanced cancer patients management; however, there is no research done in this area in Chile. ⋯ A majority of patients preferred to receive complete information about diagnosis and prognosis and to make shared decisions. The satisfaction with information disclosure and decision making process was very high. The data of this study supports the need of an adequate information disclosure and of exploring the individual preferences of our patients, with the goal of promoting an informed decision making process that respects the preferences of our patients.