Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien
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Comparative Study
Identification of cognitive impairment and mental illness in elderly homeless men: Before and after access to primary health care.
To describe the occurrence of mental health problems and cognitive impairment in a group of elderly homeless men and to demonstrate how clinical examination and screening tests used in a shelter setting might be helpful in identifying mental illness and cognitive impairment. ⋯ This study suggests that providing access to primary care physicians and other services in a community-based shelter program can assist in identification of mental illness and cognitive impairment in elderly homeless men. Use of brief screening tools for depression and cognitive impairment (like the GDS-15 and the MMSE) could be helpful in this highrisk group.
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Review Meta Analysis
Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children.
Every winter I see numerous children in my office with cold symptoms. Is it safe and effective to use over-the-counter cough and cold medications to alleviate their symptoms? ⋯ Over-the-counter cough and cold medications are not effective in treating children with the common cold and might cause serious side effects, including death. New recommendations restricting use in Canada to those older than 6 years of age are effective immediately, with relabeling of products starting in the fall of 2009.
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To improve integration of cancer care, Cancer Care Ontario-a provincial agency responsible for planning, advising on, implementing, and monitoring initiatives to improve cancer outcomes-proposed a primary care and cancer engagement strategy in its Ontario Cancer Plan 2008-2011. ⋯ It is early days, but the RPCLs are already busy participating in key organizational governance structures as decision makers; acting as key contacts for primary care providers who need information about the cancer system; and helping to organize educational events. Together they are developing a strategic plan with long- and short-term goals and are advocating for the resources required to improve integration and engagement of the primary care and cancer system.
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Comparative Study
Can after-hours family medicine clinics represent an alternative to emergency departments? Survey of ambulatory patients seeking after-hours care.
To explore patients' motivations for seeking care in the emergency department (ED) after hours and their willingness to consult their family physicians instead, if their family physicians had been available. ⋯ After-hour family medicine clinics provide a desirable primary care service that most patients would choose over the ED if more were available.