Biomedical subjects

A Branthwaite

Publications and source records attributed to A Branthwaite.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

Are older adults less compliant with prescribed medication than younger adults?

To compare compliance in older adults with that of younger people, two studies investigated general practice patients taking either a short course of antibiotics or long-term medication. These studies examined the effects of age on compliance separately from other factors such as memory, domestic conditions, health beliefs, numbers of drugs being taken, etc. The results indicate that seven variables were independently and significantly related to better compliance: accurate knowledge of regimen; belief in the importance of taking tablets exactly as prescribed; low resentment of time spent waiting to see the doctor; less fear of illness; ability to read the label on the bottle; understanding what the doctor has said; and living with a relative. Age as such was not a factor affecting compliance. The results are discussed in terms of the potential influence of GPs in improving compliance in their patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1992

Out-patient compliance with antidepressant medication.

A total of 89 depressed out-patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: group A received one dose of antidepressant medication at night; group B received three doses of medication during the day; group C were allowed to choose either A or B above. Compliance with medication was assessed at three, six, nine and 12 weeks by interrogation and pill count; at the same time, depression and side-effects were rated. No overall significant difference was found between doctor-prescribed and patient-chosen regime, or between once-a-day and three-times-a-day dosage. However, compliance was significantly better in those patients who were allowed to choose, when they selected the three-times-a-day regime. There was a significant decline in compliance for all regimes over the 12 weeks. There was no evidence that better compliance produced a better therapeutic result, and possible reasons are given for this finding.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Attitudes to the training of general medical practitioners in Nigeria.

Nigeria has pioneered a vocational training programme for general medical practitioners. The first major evaluation and review of the curriculum took place in July 1988 when over 50 trainees, supervisors and faculty board members attended a conference at Ibadan University. The opportunity was taken to assess by questionnaire the views of the participants on a range of issues related to health care in Nigeria and of the training and supervision of general medical practitioners. Sixty-six per cent of potential respondents provided completed questionnaires. A large proportion of respondents felt the need for some revisions in the curriculum and for a greater emphasis on small group training. The results indicated scepticism about the role of high technology medicine and private medical practice in meeting the health needs of Nigerians. There were some differences between the trainees and their supervisors and faculty board members in the responses obtained. The programme in Nigeria and the attitudes of those taking part demonstrate a vigorous and visionary approach to health care. It is hoped that this experience will be a useful and important example of what can be achieved in a country with potential for development.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1988

Satisfaction and job stress in general practice.

This paper investigates sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction in general practice and identifies pressures and difficulties experienced by general practitioners in their work. The study revealed widespread job satisfaction based on three separate (but independent) aspects of general practice: clinical, psychosocial or managerial. Despite this, significant pressures were experienced and, in common with previous studies over the last 20 years, this research found continuing problems affecting young general practitioners in particular. The main pressures currently experienced were uncertainty and insecurity about work, isolation, poor relationships with other doctors, disillusion with the role of the general practitioner, and an awareness of changing demands. These pressures were related to experience in general practice, amount of study leave and practice organization. Like previous studies, it also appears from this research that continuing education could play an important role in attenuating these difficulties. It is argued that the emphasis should be on developing support, confidence and better contacts between general practitioners, as well as teaching knowledge and skills.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1988

Continuing education for general practitioners.

This research was conducted to investigate patterns of attendance at continuing education meetings and examine which factors encourage or inhibit attendance by comparing the characteristics of general practitioners who attend regularly with those who attend occasionally or not at all. The findings provide course organizers with a detailed insight into the attitudes and perceptions of frequent and infrequent attenders. The research identifies a need for greater personal contact in changing attitudes to continuing education and bringing about greater involvement. It is concluded that the role of general practitioner tutor should be enhanced to provide more direct contact and influence with small groups of doctors.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Evaluations of political violence by English and Northern Irish schoolchildren.

In a study of attitudes to violence in English and Northern Irish schoolchildren, 178 children, 10-11-years-old, completed a questionnaire relating to eight examples of political and non-political violence. The children were distinguished by sex, religion and geographical location. The expected differences between religious groups in Northern Ireland did not emerge: significant differences arose only between English and Irish children and were apparent for only three of the questions. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Child↗

PubMed1986

How useful is weight reduction in the management of hypertension?

A group of previously untreated obese hypertensive patients were started on a weight reduction programme supervised by two dietitians working in a general practice surgery. It was stressed from the beginning of the programme that reducing blood pressure was the purpose of the diet. The results of follow-up after six months are presented together with results for a control group of obese hypertensive patients not receiving dietary advice or drug therapy, but being followed by the general practitioner. The weight, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the dieting hypertensive group were significantly lower than those of the non-dieting group after six months. However, the drop-out rate was significantly higher for the dieting group than for the non-dieting group.The results of a separate comparison between a control group of obese normotensive patients following the same dietary programme and the group of dieting obese hypertensive patients are also presented. Attendance rates and weight loss achieved were significantly better for the hypertensive group than for the normotensive group after 12 months.Weight reduction appears to be an effective first-line therapy for approximately 50% of obese patients with mild to moderate hypertension, and raised blood pressure appears to provide motivation for such patients to attend a dietitian's clinic and to lose weight.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Depression in the young unemployed and those on Youth Opportunities Schemes.

Using interviews and psychometric measures, this study compared the experiences and opinions of unemployment of four small groups of young people who were: unemployed, on a Youth Opportunities Placement Scheme, on a Youth Opportunities Project Scheme, or employed apprentices. It was found by means of the Beck Depression Inventory, that there were significant differences between the groups, with the employed being less depressed than the other three groups. The two groups on Youth Opportunities Schemes were intermediate but not significantly different from the unemployed. No significant differences were found using the Neuroticism scale of the EPI. This measure of depression, and the general attitudes expressed in discussion, support the conclusion that although the Youth Opportunities Scheme tends to reduce depression from being unemployed, it does not provide the psychological benefits of permanent employment, as suggested by previous research. This discrepancy in findings is discussed and the question raised as to whether the positive benefits of training programmes are sustained over time.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Analgesic effects of branding in treatment of headaches.

The effect of branding--that is, the labelling and marketing--of a well-known proprietary analgesic used to treat headaches was studied in a sample of women given a branded or unbranded form with either an inert or an active formulation. The sample was also divided according to whether the subjects were regular users of the brand or users of other brands. The findings showed that branded tablets were overall significantly more effective than unbranded tablets in relieving headaches. Differential effects were observed: the effects of branding were more noticeable one hour after the tablets were taken compared with 30 minutes; in the women given the placebo; and in the users of the brand compared with the users of other brands. It is hypothesised that these effects are due to increased confidence in obtaining relief with a well-known brand, and that branding has an analgesic effect that interacts with the analgesic effects of placebos and active ingredients.

Aspirin↗