scholarly journals Evaluation of Obesity Management Recorded in Electronic Clinical History: A Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2345
Author(s):  
Nuria Trujillo-Garrido ◽  
María Ángeles Bernal-Jiménez ◽  
María J. Santi-Cano

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Because of their close proximity to the population, primary care physicians and nurses are in a unique position to motivate and advise patients with obesity on a healthy diet and increased physical activity. Drawing from information recorded in electronic clinical records, we evaluated how the general recommendations included in obesity guidelines are being implemented in routine clinical practice. Methods: This study drew from the following data from a cohort of 209 patients with obesity that attended primary care consultations: electronic clinical records, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities and whether their health professional documented compliance with the recommendations of the evidence-based obesity guidelines in their electronic history. Results: Only 25.4% of the clinical records met all the criteria established in the therapeutic guidelines regarding diet prescription, 1.4% for physical activity and 1.5% for behavioral change activities. The patients whose records mentioned diet prescription and physical activity and who received follow-up consultations for both factors had lower average BMI and WC, although this relationship was not significant after adjusting for baseline. Conclusions: We found that only a small number of records in the electronic clinical histories followed the evidence-based obesity guidelines. Recording dietetic prescription and physical exercise in the patient’s clinical record is associated with better control of obesity.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Trujillo Garrido ◽  
Mariangeles Bernal ◽  
Maria José Santi Cano

Abstract BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity is on the increase worldwide and yet scientific evidence shows that primary care professionals are not adequately addressing overweight and obesity. In this study, we evaluate how obesity guidelines are being implemented in routine clinical practice. METHODS The study obtained the following data on a cohort of 209 obese patients attending primary care consultations: electronic medical records, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities and whether or not their health professional adhered to obesity evidence-based guidelines. RESULTS 57.9% of the participants were women and their average age was 65.8 ± 12.7 years. Only 25.4% of the medical records met all the criteria established in the therapeutic guidelines regarding diet prescription. This percentage was significantly higher in males than females (36.4% vs 17.4, p = 0.002). 1.4% met the criteria for physical activity and 1.5% for behavioural change activities. In the multivariate analysis, the variable associated with the most favourable BMI and WC figures, after adjusting for age, was a follow up by health professionals on physical activity (β=0.347, p=0.027, CI=0.429-6.868; β=0.367, p=0.024, CI=1.256-17.556) during routine check-ups with women. CONCLUSIONS We detected low adherence to the evidence-based guidelines among professionals. Recording dietetic prescription and physical exercise in the patient's medical record is associated with a better control of obesity. This data suggest that primary health care should be improved for obese patient.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044372
Author(s):  
Mat Nawi Zanaridah ◽  
Mohd Noor Norhayati ◽  
Zakaria Rosnani

ObjectivesTo determine the level of knowledge and practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and the attitudes towards it and to identify the factors associated with its practice among primary care practitioners in Selangor, Malaysia.SettingThis cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected health clinics in Selangor. Data were collected from primary care physicians using self-administered questionnaires on knowledge, practice and attitudes regarding EBM.ParticipantsThe study included 225 respondents working in either government or private clinics. It excluded house officers and those working in public and private universities or who were retired from practice.ResultsA total of 32.9% had a high level of EBM knowledge, 12% had a positive attitude towards EBM and 0.4% had a good level of its practice. The factors significantly associated with EBM practice were ethnicity, attitude, length of work experience as a primary care practitioner and quick access to online reference applications on mobile phones.ConclusionsAlthough many physicians have suboptimal knowledge of EBM and low levels of practising it, majority of them have a neutral attitude towards EBM practice. Extensive experience as a primary care practitioner, quick access to online references on a mobile phone and good attitude towards EBM were associated with its practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272090418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garret A. Horton ◽  
Matthew T. W. Simpson ◽  
Michael M. Beyea ◽  
Jason A. Beyea

Objective: To provide family physicians with a practical, evidence-based approach to managing patients with cerumen impaction. Methods: MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and the Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database were searched for English-language cerumen impaction guidelines and reviews. All such articles published between 1992 and 2018 were reviewed, with most providing level II and III evidence. Results: Cerumen impaction is a common presentation seen in primary care and cerumen removal is one of the most common otolaryngologic procedures performed in general practice. Cerumen impaction is often harmless but can be accompanied by more serious symptoms. Cerumenolytics and irrigation of the ear canal are reasonable first-line therapies and can be used in conjunction or isolation. If irrigation and cerumenolytics are contraindicated, manual removal is appropriate, but the tools necessary are not commonplace in primary care clinics and specialized training may be required to prevent adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Family physicians play a key role in the assessment and management of cerumen impaction and are well equipped to do so. Knowledge of the available techniques for cerumen removal as well as their contraindications ensures that cerumen is removed safely and effectively. When cerumen removal cannot be removed safely in a primary care setting, referral to Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is appropriate.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 672-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Antognoli ◽  
Eileen L. Seeholzer ◽  
Heidi Gullett ◽  
Brigid Jackson ◽  
Samantha Smith ◽  
...  

National guidelines have been established to support the role of primary care physicians in addressing obesity. Preparing primary care residents to recognize and treat overweight/obesity has been identified as an essential component of postgraduate medical training that is currently lacking. This study aims to identify how primary care residency programs are preparing physicians to counsel about obesity, nutrition, and physical activity (ONPA) and to examine program members’ perspectives regarding the place of ONPA counseling in the curriculum, and its relevance in primary care training. Using mixed methods, we collected and analyzed data on 25 family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology residency programs across Ohio. Programs averaged 2.8 hours of ONPA-related didactics per year. Ten programs (42%) taught techniques for health behavior counseling. Having any ONPA-related didactics was associated with greater counseling knowledge (p = .01) among residents but poorer attitudes (p < .001) and poorer perceived professional norms (p = .004) toward ONPA counseling. Findings from interview data highlighted similar perceived barriers to ONPA counseling across all three specialties but variation in perception of responsibility to provide ONPA counseling. While widespread expectations that primary care physicians counsel their overweight and obese patients prevail, few residency programs provide training to support such counseling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Klemp ◽  
Becky N. Lowry ◽  
Judy A Johnston ◽  
Kyla Alsman ◽  
Danielle Peereboom ◽  
...  

85 Background: While evidence-based guidelines for survivorship care exist, implementation in oncology and primary care practices has fallen short. There is little evidence of the barriers preventing successful implementation in rural primary care and oncology practices. We sought to assess knowledge gaps and barriers to successful implementation of evidence-based survivorship care guidelines in rural Kansas practices. Methods: Midwest Cancer Alliance, outreach arm of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Kansas Patients and Providers Engaged in Prevention Research, completed interviews in rural primary care and oncology practices. Results: Primary Care (n=7) and Oncology Practices (n=4): Interviews with primary care physicians, medical oncologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, tumor registrar, outreach coordinator, and office management & staff. Conclusions: Rural primary care and oncology practices experienced barriers to delivering survivorship care including: educational gaps, communication of history, treatment, and recommendations, EHR integration, and lack of resources. Next steps focus on a unified approach to state-wide survivorship education of patients, primary care and oncology practices. [Table: see text]


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