Knowledge of vaccination of allergic children among Italian primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians and pediatric residents.
Vaccine. 2010 Aug 27;
Authors: Esposito S, Azzari C, Bartolozzi G, Fara GM, Giovanetti F, Giudice ML, Galeone C, Atti MC,
A cross-sectional survey of Italian pediatricians and pediatric residents was carried out between 15 September and 18 October 2008 in order to evaluate their knowledge concerning the administration of vaccines to children with suspected or proved allergies. Of the 750 physicians who accepted to participate (620 pediatricians and 130 residents), 630 (84.0%; 407 females; mean age 43.5+/-11.2 years) returned completed questionnaires: 268 primary care pediatricians (42.5%), 244 hospital pediatricians (38.8%), and 118 pediatric residents (18.7%). Knowledge concerning the vaccination of children with suspected or proved allergies was far from optimal, with the poorest knowledge being shown by the pediatric residents and no difference between the primary care and hospital pediatricians. Since pediatricians are the main parents’ advisors regarding vaccinations, these results indicate an urgent need for educational programmes (especially for residents) and evidence-based guidelines concerning vaccinations in children with suspected or proved allergies.
20804803
– Knowledge of vaccination of allergic children among Italian primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians and pediatric…
Impact of chronic kidney disease management in primary care.
QJM. 2010 Aug 30;
Authors: Meran S, Don K, Shah N, Donovan K, Riley S, Phillips AO
BACKGROUND: The introduction of eGFR reporting and publication of national CKD guidelines has led to major challenges in primary and secondary care, leading to an increase in the number of referrals to nephrology clinics. We have shown that introduction of a renal patient care pathway reduces nephrology referrals and enables managed discharges of CKD patients to primary care. The aim of this article is to examine the outcome of patients discharged to primary care to find out if there is an associated risk with increased discharge supported by the patient pathway. METHODS: The study was carried out within a single NHS Trust covering a population of 560 000. All patients discharged from the trust’s renal outpatient clinic between June 2007 and July 2008 were identified. Patient notes and the local laboratory database systems were used to determine the source and timing of tests. RESULTS: A total of 31 new referrals and 57 regular follow-ups were discharged during this period. The median age of discharge was 67.5 years. Most subjects (60%) had CKD stage 3 at the time of discharge. A total of 23% of discharges were categorized as CKD stages 1, 2 or normal and 17% of patients had CKD stage 4. Overall, 93% had stable eGFRs prior to discharge, 77.5% of patients had blood pressure within threshold (140/90 according to UK CKD guidelines) and 97.7% of patients had haemoglobins >10 g/dl. Post-discharge 83% of patients had eGFRs recorded by their general practitioner and 92.6% of these were measured within appropriate time frames as per CKD guidelines. The majority of patients (82%) had either improved or stable eGFR post-discharge and only three patients had a significant decline in their eGFR. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that selected CKD patients can be appropriately discharged from secondary care and adequately monitored in primary care. Furthermore, we have shown that this was a safe practice for patients.
20805119
– Impact of chronic kidney disease management in primary care.
Adherence of primary care physicians in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia to the National Protocol for the Management of Asthma.
East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Feb;16(2):171-5
Authors: Abudahish A, Bella H
To determine adherence of primary health care (PHC) physicians to the National Protocol for the Management of Asthma and barriers affecting adherence, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Sixty-one PHC physicians completed self-administered questionnaires on the protocol recommendations. We also checked 212 medical records for adherence. Despite high awareness among the physicians, adherence to the protocol was low: perceived barriers included lack of essential medications, insufficient time and lack of training on the protocol. We recommend establishing a new strategy for effective training of PHC physicians on the protocol.
20799570
– Adherence of primary care physicians in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia to the National Protocol for the Management of Asthma.
