scholarly journals A WORKLOAD DENSITY ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT HEALTHCARE FOLLOW-UP PROTOCOL WITH REGARDS TO FAMILY MEDICINE

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-25
Author(s):  
Abdullah Uçar ◽  
Chaki Rasit
Author(s):  
Catherine W. Gathu ◽  
Jacob Shabani ◽  
Nancy Kunyiha ◽  
Riaz Ratansi

Background: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a key component of diabetes care aimed at delaying complications. Unlike usual care, DSME is a more structured educational approach provided by trained, certified diabetes educators (CDE). In Kenya, many diabetic patients are yet to receive this integral component of care. At the family medicine clinic of the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi, the case is no different; most patients lack education by CDE.Aim: This study sought to assess effects of DSME in comparison to usual diabetes care by family physicians.Setting: Family Medicine Clinic, AKUH, Nairobi.Methods: Non-blinded randomised clinical trial among sub-optimally controlled (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8%) type 2 diabetes patients. The intervention was DSME by CDE plus usual care versus usual care from family physicians. Primary outcome was mean difference in HbA1c after six months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure and body mass index.Results: A total of 220 diabetes patients were screened out of which 140 met the eligibility criteria and were randomised. Around 96 patients (69%) completed the study; 55 (79%) in the DSME group and 41 (59%) in the usual care group. The baseline mean age and HbA1c of all patients were 48.8 (standard deviation [SD]: 9.8) years and 9.9% (SD: 1.76%), respectively. After a 6-month follow-up, no significant difference was noted in the primary outcome (HbA1c) between the two groups, with a mean difference of 0.37 (95% confidence interval: -0.45 to 1.19; p = 0.37). DSME also made no remarkable change in any of the secondary outcome measures.Conclusion: From this study, short-term biomedical benefits of a structured educational approach seemed to be limited. This suggested that offering a short, intensified education programme might have limited additional benefit above and beyond the family physicians’ comprehensive approach in managing chronic conditions like diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 886-889
Author(s):  
John Malaty ◽  
Dongyuan Wu ◽  
Susmita Datta

Background and Objectives: Most literature about flexible nasolaryngoscopy comes from specialty clinics, making it unclear if these indications can be effectively managed without referral. This study evaluated effectiveness of diagnosis and management of upper airway complaints, utilizing flexible nasal endoscopic procedures, in a family medicine center. Methods: We performed retrospective chart review for all patients who had nasal endoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, and nasolaryngoscopy performed at the University of Florida Family Medicine Center over 3 years (n=89) with 5 additional years of follow up. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate indications, diagnoses, effectiveness of management by family medicine, and referral rate. Results: The most common primary indications were hoarseness (n=33, 37%), chronic cough (n=20, 22%), nasal obstruction (n=9, 10%), and unilateral ear dysfunction (n=6, 7%). The most common primary diagnoses found were allergic rhinitis/postnasal drip (n=41, 46%), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; n=24, 27%), masses concerning for malignancy (n=4, 4.5%), true vocal cord (TVC) polyp (n=3, 3%), TVC nodules (n=3, 3%), and epistaxis (n=3, 3%). Of the four concerning masses, two were confirmed cancers (2%). In addition, there was one case (1%) of erythroleukoplakia with dysplasia of the TVC. Most patients had documented improvement with family medicine management (n=57, 64%) and another six (7%) had follow up without documentation of status and no need for referral. Thus, a total of 71% (n=64) did not require referral and 20% (n=18) needed specialist referral. Conclusions: Flexible nasal endoscopic procedures are effective in the care of patients in a family medicine residency center and can be safely performed and taught to residents.


Avicenna ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2022 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaman M. AlAhmad ◽  
Duaa Mahmoud Haggeer ◽  
Abrar Yaser Alsayed ◽  
Mahmoud Y. Haik ◽  
Leen Maen AbuAfifeh ◽  
...  

Introduction: Telemedicine is the delivery of health care services to patients distantly. During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telemedicine has become an essential implement in delivering healthcare services worldwide. Accordingly, in March 2020, the Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Qatar has started telephone consultation follow-up appointments in Family Medicine (FM) clinics instead of conventional consultation. Given the limited data about telephone consultations in Qatar, our aim of this study is to investigate the possible impact of telemedicine on chronic disease patients’ follow-up compliance. Methods: This study compares the compliance of adult patients with chronic diseases following-up within FM clinics in Qatar's PHCC through telephone consultations with a minimum of three telephone consultations ordered between April to November 2020, in comparison to the compliance of the same group of patients to their prior face-to-face follow-up consultations in FM clinics with a minimum of three face-to-face ordered follow up appointments between April to November 2019. A cross-sectional study will be carried out to investigate the effect of telephone consultation in PHCC on patients’ compliance with reference to conventional face-to-face consultation. Patients’ data will be received from Health Information Management in twenty-seven PHCCs in Qatar. Conclusion: Due to the limited studies on the effectiveness of telemedicine on patient compliance in FM follow-ups within Qatar's PHCC, comparing patients’ follow-up compliance with telephone consultations to their prior face-to-face consultations would be helpful in assessing patients’ quality of care delivering within FM clinics. With telecommunication being easily accessible and time-efficient, it is believed, when used correctly, it might improve compliance and adherence to the management prescribed by the physician and follow-up appointments in Qatar's PHCC. In addition, this study will help in providing recommendations that could guide the organization on forming policies to be applied in PHCCs after the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002090546
Author(s):  
Christina E. DeRemer ◽  
Shannon R. Lyons ◽  
Emily J. Harman ◽  
Karina Quinn ◽  
Jason Konopack

Introduction: Few would argue that emergency department utilization volumes do not tax the health system. Currently, there is not a process defined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for transitioning this patient population back to their primary physicians following emergency department visits. Resource limitations in a rural family medicine setting create barriers to dedicate focus on this important transitional care management from urgent care visits to primary care office. Objective: To describe a novel pilot process for transitional care management from the emergency department utilizing pharmacy student extenders to overcome resource limitation at a rural family medicine clinic and establish follow-up primary physician contact. Methods: From a master list provided, student pharmacists proactively telephoned patients and reviewed medication changes while assisting with scheduling follow-up appointments at the patient’s primary physician clinic. Results: The result of these efforts increased the communication with patients and resulted in a 26% (10/38) increase in follow-up appointments scheduled with a total increase of an additional 7 patients adhering to follow-up transitional appointment. Conclusion: This approach utilizing student extenders is a feasible and sustainable process that can increase patient contact when resources are limited, while serving as an educational tool for next generation providers.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S71-S72
Author(s):  
A. Cornelis ◽  
R. Clouston ◽  
P. Atkinson

Introduction: Complications in early pregnancy are common and have many physical and emotional consequences. Locally, there is no early pregnancy loss clinic or standardized guide in the emergency department (ED) for referral and follow-up decisions, and both initial management of patients and follow up can be inconsistent. This study aimed to obtain consensus on the best approach to initial work-up, management, and follow up for patients who present to the ED with early pregnancy complications, with the goal of using this consensus to produce a standardized guide for emergency provider use. Methods: A literature review was completed to produce evidence-based recommendations which were used to initiate a modified Delphi consensus process. A survey was distributed, with three rounds completed. Participants included emergency providers, obstetrician-gynecologists, a radiologist, a sample of family medicine physicians including some involved in primary care obstetrics, and nurse practitioners. An obstetric specialist from outside the local region was also involved. Results: Consensus was reached on several key recommendations, however some areas remained without clear accepted best practice. There was consensus that physical components of early pregnancy complications are addressed well, but that we could improve on patient flow and more consistent follow up. Important investigations to be done for patients were identified. The timing of formal ultrasound, necessity and timing of obstetrician consultation, and safety of discharge was addressed for various patient scenarios including stable and unstable patients, with and without adnexal pain, with intrauterine pregnancy of uncertain viability, and with pregnancy of unknown location. Management of confirmed early pregnancy loss in the ED and family medicine clinics was addressed. Barriers to an early pregnancy loss clinic included lack of funding, space, and staffing as well as lack of resources and uncertain patient volumes. A feasible alternative to an early pregnancy loss clinic was for willing providers to keep appointment times available to facilitate confirmation of follow-up prior to discharge. Other suggested alternatives included an early pregnancy loss clinic, a nurse educator, and having a standardized guideline in the ED. Conclusion: Through a consensus approach, several recommendations were agreed upon for improving care for patients presenting to the ED with early pregnancy complications.


Contraception ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silpa Srinivasulu ◽  
Lisa Maldonado ◽  
Linda Prine ◽  
Susan E. Rubin

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110140
Author(s):  
Lynn M Utley ◽  
Grace S Manchala ◽  
Mark J Phillips ◽  
Chirag P Doshi ◽  
Victoria L Szatalowicz ◽  
...  

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many senior patients in the USC-Keck Family Medicine clinics were limited or lacking in telemedicine participation. Three factors contributed: lack of video-enabled devices, technological literacy, and/or absence of Wi-Fi connectivity. We addressed the first 2 of these factors. Via phone contact, 9 patients agreed to receive donated Android or Apple devices and to trial instruction manuals for use. Donated equipment and instructions were prepared and delivered in accordance with pandemic guidelines. Follow-up calls indicated that 4 participants were able to set up their devices and 3 of whom had connected with their providers. The remaining 5 participants had not set up their devices by the end of the follow-up period, had difficulty with device setup, accessing applications necessary for telemedicine, or had limited access to Wi-Fi. This project highlights some telemedicine barriers that senior patients may overcome with the additional support of care providers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelson Jantsch ◽  
Bo Burström ◽  
Gunnar Nilsson ◽  
Antônio de Leon

Abstract There is a need for evidence that residency training in family medicine (RTFM) can benefit the care of patients in primary care in low- and middle-income countries. We tested the hypothesis that two years of RTFM enables doctors to better detect chronic health conditions (CHC) while requesting fewer laboratory exams and providing more follow-up visits. We performed a retrospective longitudinal observational analysis of medical consultations from 2013 to 2018 in primary care in Rio de Janeiro, comparing doctors without RTFM (Generalists) versus family physicians (FPs). Multivariate multilevel binomial regression models estimated the risks of patients being diagnosed for a list of 31 CHCs, having a follow-up visit for these CHCs, and having laboratory tests ordered from a list of 30 exams. 569.289 patients had 2.908.864 medical consultations performed by 734 generalists and 231 FPs. Patients seen by FPs were at a higher risk of being detected for most of the CHCs, at a lower risk of having any of the 30 LTs requested, and at higher risk of having a follow-up visit in primary care. RTFM can make physicians more skilled to work in primary care. Policymakers must prioritize investments in RTFM to make primary care truly comprehensive.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110596
Author(s):  
Amanda Weidner ◽  
Marcia McGuire ◽  
Kim Stutzman ◽  
Justin Glass ◽  
Nancy Gray Stevens

Background and Objectives The shortage of residency faculty in the pipeline is a growing concern to meet future workforce needs, though there is little research on attracting residents to be future faculty or what factors would influence their interest in this role. The objectives of this study were: (1) To assess the interest of third year residents (R3s) in faculty positions, and the various factors that might positively or negatively affect this decision; (2) to compare whether this changes across the R3 year; and (3) to compare between chief residents and other R3s. Methods Longitudinal survey at two points in time for each of three consecutive cohorts of R3s (2016-2018) from a regional network of family medicine residency programs. Results Among the final sample of R3s (176/545, 32% response), nearly half were interested in a residency faculty role. Strong positive influences on interest include the teaching role, advising/mentoring role, range of practice scope, and ability to perform procedures; salary and administrative responsibilities detract from interest. Among the matched sample of 96 R3s who also responded at Time 2 (55% response), non-chief residents had an increase in knowledge of and interest in the faculty role across the R3 year. Conclusions Nearly half of senior family medicine residents report positive interest in residency faculty positions and in most components of the role. Mentorship may encourage more residents to consider these positions upon graduation or shortly thereafter. More research on other specialties and with career follow up is recommended.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document