Articles: professional-practice.
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Financial relationships between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry are common, but factors that may determine whether such relationships result in physician practice changes are unknown. ⋯ Financial payments from pharmaceutical companies are common among oncologists. It is known from prior work that oncologists tend to prescribe more of the drugs made by companies that have given them money. By combining records of industry gifts with prescribing records, this study identifies the consistency of payments over time, the dollar value of payments, and payments for compensation as factors that may strengthen the association between receiving payments and increased prescribing of that company's drug.
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Review
Approach to providing care for aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To provide an approach to caring for aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the context of the onset of new or worsening chronic illnesses and the need for planning for the end of life. ⋯ Primary care physicians can provide and coordinate appropriate care for patients with IDD as they face the health challenges associated with aging and dying. Being aware of patients' baseline cognitive abilities and decision-making skills, as well as changes in cognitive abilities associated with aging and complexity of illness, will help determine patients' capacity to consent, identify appropriate treatment choices, and guide coordination of care. Further research and consensus statements are needed to guide best practices based on the Canadian experience and to allow continuing development of caring, professional, and competent providers to support aging adults with all levels of IDD.
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To investigate the experiences of the participants in a study introducing a Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician (PACT) role, and specifically their perceptions of any advantages and disadvantages. ⋯ Despite the disruption caused by the training process, the respondents believed this new role to be beneficial to both staff and patients, and that the new model would allow for increased error identification and enhanced safety.