scholarly journals Ambulatory Training Program to Expand Procedural Skills in Primary Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 238212051985929
Author(s):  
Robert J. Fortuna ◽  
Bethany Marston ◽  
Susan Messing ◽  
Gunnar Wagoner ◽  
Tiffany L. Pulcino ◽  
...  

Introduction: Outpatient procedures are an important component of primary care, yet few programs incorporate procedural training into their curriculum. We examined a 4-year procedural curriculum to improve understanding of ambulatory procedures and increase the number of procedures performed. Methods: A total of 56 resident and 8 faculty physicians participated in a procedural curriculum directed at joint injections (knee, shoulder, elbow, trochanteric bursa, carpal tunnel, wrist, and ankle), subdermal contraceptive insertion/removal, skin biopsies, and ultrasound use in primary care. We administered annual surveys and used generalized estimating equations to model changes. Results: Across the 4 years, there was an average 96% response rate. Mean comfort level with the indications for procedures increased for both resident (62.5 to 78.8; P < .0001) and faculty physicians (61.5 to 94.8; P < .0001). Similarly, mean comfort with performing procedures increased for both resident (32.1 to 62.3; P < .0001) and faculty physicians (42.2 to 85.4; P < .0001). Residents’ comfort level performing procedures increased for all individual procedures measured. The mean number of procedures performed per year increased for resident (1.9 to 8.2; P < .0001) and faculty physicians (14.7 to 25.2; P = .087). Conclusions: A longitudinal ambulatory-based procedural curriculum can increase resident and faculty physician understanding and comfort performing primary-care-based procedures. This, in turn, increased the total number of procedures performed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117954411878290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adae O Amoako ◽  
George GA Pujalte ◽  
Neha Kaushik ◽  
Timothy Riley

Teaching primary care providers how to perform musculoskeletal procedures has become increasingly important as more and more patients with orthopedic conditions present in primary care clinics. This study aims to evaluate whether targeted simulation model training in residency can increase residents’ comfort level in performing intra-articular knee injections and decrease the pain of the procedure, as reported by patients injected. Residents were randomized into intervention and control groups. The comfort level of the residents as well as the pain levels from the procedures, as reported by patients, was recorded. The mean comfort level for the intervention group was 1.2, compared with that in the control group, which was 2.13; P value was .047. The mean pain level in the intervention group was 1.8, whereas in the control group was 3.63; P value was .156. Simulation training may boost residents’ comfort level, but not necessarily decrease patient discomfort during intra-articular knee injections.


1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-93
Author(s):  
Khoo Ee Ming ◽  
Christina Tan Phoay Lay

In this survey all practices under the headings of “Clinics”, “Medical Practitioners” and “Medical Practitioners - Registered” in the Yellow Pages telephone directories for the thirteen states of Malaysia were selected. Those excluded were clinics or medical practitioners who advertised themselves as specialists in other disciplines. A total of 2291 practices were surveyed and a response rate of 51.2% was obtained. 383(33%) of the general practitioners were trained locally for the first degree. 258(22%) had at least one postgraduate qualification. 69(6%) possessed a postgraduate qualification in primary care medicine. About 80% of general practitioners participated in continuing medical education and 4% did research in the last 3 years. 42% were involved in community activities. 75% ran solo practices. Over 90% of the practices opened six or seven days a week. The mean workload per doctor per day was 44.66. Most practices provided a comprehensive range of services including curative, preventive, dispensing services, counselling, laboratory tests, and home visits. 43% of practices had a computer.


Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110085
Author(s):  
Landis R. Walsh ◽  
Laura C. Nuzzi ◽  
Amir H. Taghinia ◽  
Brian I. Labow

Background Although pediatric hand fractures are common and generally have good outcomes, they remain a considerable source of anxiety for non–hand surgeons, who are less familiar with these injuries. We hypothesized that this anxiety may manifest as inefficiency in referral patterns. Methods The records of pediatric patients with isolated, closed hand fractures without concurrent trauma seen at our institution by a hand surgeon between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 454 patients included; 62.1% were men, and the mean age was 9.6 years at initial encounter. Most patients (89.6%) were treated nonoperatively and incurred few complications (0.5%). Roughly half of all cases (n = 262) initially presented to an outside provider. Of these, 24.0% (n = 64 of 262) were evaluated by 2+ providers before a hand surgeon. Most commonly, these patients were referred from an outside emergency department (ED) to our ED before hand surgeon evaluation (n = 45 of 64). Forty-seven patients required surgery; however, none were performed urgently. Although a greater proportion of 7- to 11-year-old patients saw 2+ providers prior to a hand surgeon ( P = .007), fewer required surgery ( P < .001). Conclusions Pediatric closed hand fractures are mainly treated nonoperatively and nonemergently with generally excellent outcomes. Our data suggest that many patients continue to be referred through the ED or multiple EDs/providers for treatment. These inefficient referral patterns demonstrate the need for better education for ED and primary care providers, as well as better communication between these providers and local pediatric hand surgeons. Advancements in these areas are likely to improve efficiency of care and decrease costs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Baihaqi Azraii ◽  
Anis Safura Ramli ◽  
Zaliha Ismail ◽  
Suraya Abdul-Razak ◽  
Siti Fatimah Badlishah-Sham ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Primary care physicians (PCP) play an important role in detecting Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) early. However, knowledge, awareness and practice (KAP) regarding FH among Malaysian PCP are not well established, and there was no validated tool to assess their FH KAP. Thus, the aim of this study was to adapt an FH KAP questionnaire and determine its validity and reliability among Malaysian PCP. Methods This cross-sectional validation study involved Malaysian PCP with ≥ 1-year work experience in the primary care settings. In Phase 1, the original 19-item FH KAP questionnaire underwent content validation and adaptation by 7 experts. The questionnaire was then converted into an online survey instrument and was face validated by 10 PCP. In Phase 2, the adapted questionnaire was disseminated through e-mail to 1500 PCP. Data were collected on their KAP, demography, qualification and work experience. The construct validity was tested using known-groups validation method. The hypothesis was PCP holding postgraduate qualification (PCP-PG-Qual) would have better FH KAP compared with PCP without postgraduate qualification (PCP-noPG-Qual). Internal consistency reliability was calculated using Kuder Richardson formula-20 (KR-20) and test–retest reliability was tested on 26 PCP using kappa statistics. Results During content validation and adaptation, 10 items remained unchanged, 8 items were modified, 1 item was moved to demography and 7 items were added. The adapted questionnaire consisted of 25 items (11 knowledge, 5 awareness and 9 practice items). A total of 130 out of 1500 PCP (response rate: 8.7%) completed the questionnaire. The mean percentage knowledge score was found to be significantly higher in PCP-PG-Qual compared with PCP-noPG-Qual (53.5, SD ± 13.9 vs. 35.9, SD ± 11.79), t(128) = 6.90, p < 0.001. The median percentage awareness score was found to be significantly higher in PCP-PG-Qual compared with PCP-noPG-Qual (15.4, IqR ± 23.08 vs. 7.7, IqR ± 15.38), p = 0.030. The mean percentage practice score was significantly higher in PCP-PG-Qual compared with PCP-noPG-Qual (69.2, SD ± 17.62 vs. 54.4, SD ± 19.28), t(128) = 3.79, p < 0.001. KR-20 value was 0.79 (moderate reliability) and average Kappa was 0.796 (substantial agreement). Conclusion This study has proven that the 25-item adapted FH KAP questionnaire is valid and reliable. It can be used to measure and establish FH KAP among PCP in Malaysia.


2007 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-545
Author(s):  
Thomas N. Wise ◽  
Michael J. Sheridan

The complaint of fatigue is common in community, primary care, and psychiatric settings. Fatigue is often associated with depression and psychosocial stress. This report investigated the role of alexithymia and depression in fatigue as reported in a sample of 151 psychiatric outpatients (75 men and 76 women) who completed all scales. The mean age of the sample was 45.5 yr. ( SD = 12.5), and mean education was 16.2 yr. ( SD = 2.4). Fatigue was inversely correlated with education (–.16) and positively correlated with depression (.44), anxiety (.30), and alexithymia (.35). However, in a multivariate regression analysis, only depression and alexithymia remained significant ( p ≤ .01).


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saritha Shamsunder ◽  
Akriti Gautam ◽  
Geetika Khanna ◽  
Sunita Malik

Background: Pregnancy provides a good time for opportunistic screening of our women who rarely attend for cervical screening. The prevalence of abnormal PAP smear in pregnant women in developed countries was 5-6%, however, no literature was available from India. Aim: To determine the prevalence of abnormal PAP smears in antenatal women presenting to our antenatal clinic. Methods: Women attending the antenatal clinic with gestation of <28 weeks were recruited after an informed consent and had a PAP smear by Ayre spatula and cytobrush or a broom type of cytobrush. The comfort level during smear taking & any problems noted were recorded using a pain score. The smears were stained using the PAP stain, were categorized as adequate or inadequate & classified as per Bethesda classification. Results: We had 150 women participating, the mean age was 24.2 yrs, the mean period of gestation was 17 weeks; 43.9% were nulliparous. Smear adequacy rate was 71.5% overall. Pain during procedure was reported in 2.9% of women, 18.3% had minor discomfort; 78.6% were comfortable. Minor bleeding during smear taking was noted in 15%; this was more with the cytobrush & broom than the Ayre spatula alone. Abnormal smears were seen in three women; two had AGC & one had LSIL. Conclusions: Opportunistic cervical screening during pregnancy is safe and well tolerated. Abnormal Cervical smears were seen in 2% of our pregnant women.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. McCrindle ◽  
Barbara Starfield ◽  
Catherine DeAngelis

This study was undertaken to describe subspecialty characteristics and practices of the population of pediatricians given the ongoing controversy regarding a projected manpower oversupply of general pediatricians. A questionnaire was mailed to a national random sample of 1620 United States physicians listed in the American Medical Association's Pysician Masterfile as being in office-based pediatric practice. The final response rate was 63%. Seventy percent of respondents designated their practices as "general pediatrics" versus 17% as "general pediatrics with a specific subspecialty interest" and 13% as "subspecialty practice." The general pediatricians with a specific subspecialty interest were intermediate in the proportion that had some training in a pediatric fellowship program (general pediatricians with a specific subspecialty interest, 63% versus general pediatricians, 14%, P &lt; .0001, and pediatricians with a subspecialty practice, 92%, P &lt; .0001) and that were certified in a pediatric subspecialty by the American Board of Pediatrics (general pediatricians with a specific subspecialty interest 16% versus general pediatricians, 2%, P &lt; .0001, and pediatricians with subspecialty practice, 62%, P &lt; .0001). They were also intermediate in the proportion involved in various academic pursuits. Their practices, however, more closely resembled general pediatricians than pediatricians with a subspeciality practice in their location, setting, associates, and commitment to primary care. They were more likely than general pediatricians to utilize or provide specialized tests or procedures. A large percentage of pediatricians incorporate subspecilaty elements into their general pediatric practices. Models of current and projected pediatric manpower supply need to be reassessed in light of this form of practice.


Author(s):  
Tom R. Jansen ◽  
Heinz Endres ◽  
Lina Barnewold ◽  
Petra Kaufmann-Kolle ◽  
Sabine Knapstein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability globally and the most common musculoskeletal pain in Germany. The lifetime prevalence of back pain ranges from 74% to 85%, and the point prevalence ranges from 32% to 49%. One in five individuals with statutory health insurance visits a doctor at least once a year for back pain, and 1 in 20 individuals is on sick leave at least once a year. The question as to what extent can different outpatient care concepts substantially contribute to improving care and avoiding inpatient hospital treatment has repeatedly been the subject of controversial political discussions. This study aimed to present a description of the reality of care in Baden-Württemberg (BW), Germany, based on claims data. Material and Methods Anonymised routine billing data of AOK Baden-Württemberg were analysed in compliance with data protection regulations. The billing data cover the outpatient and inpatient care sectors. All AOK patients in BW who received at least one ICD10 diagnosis from their physician in the first half of 2015 were considered for the analysis. Patients with at least one diagnosis of back pain were evaluated as patients with back pain, whereby the assignment to the diagnosis group of specific or non-specific back pain was made based on the code. Results In the first half of 2015, nearly 988 925 patients with back pain were registered in the 6696 primary care clinics in BW, approximately 302 524 patients in 1172 orthopaedic clinics and 17 043 patients in 89 neurosurgical clinics. Primary care clinics reported back pain diagnosis in 34.6%, orthopaedic clinics in 51.9% and neurosurgical clinics in 78.6% of cases. Primary care clinics diagnosed a specific cause in approximately one-third of patients with back pain, orthopaedic clinics in approximately 40% of their patients and neurosurgery clinics in one in two cases. Overall, approximately 1.2% of 1.3 million patients with back pain (January to December 2015 in BW) were hospitalised. Inpatient therapy consisted of surgical therapy and conservative therapy. Nucleotomy, decompression and spondylodesis were the three most common surgical procedures performed. Pain medication and remedy prescriptions decreased pain after spinal surgery. There are significant regional differences in referral and surgery rates. The mean inpatient referral rate was 535 of 100 000 AOK insurants, and the median was 536 of 100 000 AOK insurants. The mean surgery rate among all admitted patients with back pain was 49.9%, and the median was 49.8%. Conclusion The vast majority of patients with back pain are treated as outpatients. Only approximately 1.2% of all patients with back pain were treated as inpatients in 2015. Of these, approximately half underwent surgery. Spinal surgeries led to a decrease in pain medication and remedy prescription postoperatively. The three most frequent surgical procedures were ‘decompression’, ‘excision of disc tissue’ and ‘spondylodesis’. There were significant regional differences.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 1185-1189
Author(s):  
Janice R. Sargent ◽  
Lucy M. Osborn ◽  
Kenneth B. Roberts ◽  
Thomas G. DeWitt

During the past 30 years, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of ambulatory care training in medical education. The discrepancy between education and practice was pointed out in the General Professional Education Panel report that indicated training was based largely in hospital settings even though the vast majority of doctor-patient encounters do not result in hospitalization.1 Perkoff,2 noting changes in hospital care such as shorter lengths of stay, increased outpatient care, and the need for well-trained primary care physicians, stated that programs need to make a major effort to emphasize clinical teaching in outpatient settings. Recognizing the need for these changes, the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has increased dramatically the requirement in primary care specialties for clinical ambulatory training.3 For pediatrics, these requirements have progressed from the suggestion that clinical training should be obtained in outpatient clinics (1961) to requiring clinical training in primary care clinics weekly for 3 years (1985). The problems in providing good training in ambulatory settings have been well described.2-4 In comparison inpatient teaching, training students and residents in an outpatient clinic is inefficient and costly. One of the methods suggested to address these problems has been to move ambulatory training out of tertiary care centers to community sites.5-9 Many pediatric programs are now using community sites for at least a portion of resident education.10 Alpert et al10 and Greenberg et al,11 although encouraging the use of these sites to reduce the gap between pediatric education and the service delivery system, pointed out that there are no standards for use of community sites.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 623-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Young

Objective. To determine primary-care pediatricians' management of febrile infants and compare them with published practice guidelines. Design. Case scenarios were sent to 194 primary-care pediatricians in Utah, describing three febrile infants, ages 21 days, 60 days, and 20 months, corresponding to the three age groups: 0 to 28 days; 29 to 90 days, and 91 days to 36 months for which the guidelines suggest different strategies. Results. Ninety-four pediatricians responded (response rate, 48%). Compliance with the guidelines was 39% for the 21 day old, 9.6% for the 60 day old, and 75% for the 20 month old. No respondent followed the guidelines for all three infants. Performance of tests to determine if an infant was low risk varied from 3%, for a stool white cell examination in a febrile 2 month old with diarrhea, to 75% for a complete blood count in a 20 month old with a temperature of 40°C. Compliance did not differ between private and academic practitioners. Those in practice less than 5 years (n = 22) were more likely than those with more experience to follow the guidelines for the 21 day old but not the other two infants. Conclusion. Primary-care pediatricians in Utah manage febrile infants with fewer laboratory tests and less hospitalization than recent practice guidelines developed by an expert panel of academic specialists suggest.


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