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Biomedical subjects

G E Ralston

Publications and source records attributed to G E Ralston.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Methadone maintenance in general practice: patients, workload, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess recruitment to and work-load associated with methadone maintenance clinics in general practice; to investigate the characteristics of patients and outcomes associated with treatment. DESIGN: Study of case notes. SETTING: Methadone maintenance clinics run jointly by general practitioners and drug counsellors in two practices in Glasgow. PARTICIPANTS: 46 injecting drug users receiving methadone maintenance during an 18 month period, 31 of whom were recruited to clinic based methadone maintenance treatment and 15 of whom were already receiving methadone maintenance treatment from the general practitioners. Mean (SD) age of patients entering treatment was 29.6 (5.5) years; 29 were male. They had been injecting opiates for a mean 9.9 (5.1) years, and most had a concurrent history of benzodiazepine misuse. Average reported daily intake of heroin was approximately 0.75 g. Participants in treatment had high levels of preexisting morbidity, and most stated that they committed crime daily. RESULTS: 2232 patient weeks of treatment were studied. Mean duration of treatment during the study period was 50.7 (21.1) weeks and retention in treatment at 26 weeks was 83%. No evidence of illicit opiate use was obtained at an average of 78% of patients' consultations where methadone had been prescribed in the previous week; for opiate injection the corresponding figure was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Providing methadone maintenance in general practice is feasible. Although costs are considerable, the reduction in drug use, especially of intravenous opiates, is encouraging. Attending clinics also allows this population, in which morbidity is considerable, to receive other health care.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Temazepam abuse.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1992

Knowledge of AIDS and HIV among various groups.

To date, no cure has been found for HIV/AIDS. Prevention has therefore been the immediate principal aim and a didactic approach has been given a primary role. Studies from the USA indicate that knowledge level may be dictated by membership of particular subcultural groups and the perceived relevance of HIV/AIDS to these groups. This study investigates knowledge among four groups: homosexual; single heterosexual; IV drug users; and a 'married' group. Results indicate some gaps in knowledge and a greater knowledge base among one of the high risk groups, the homosexual group.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗