Biomedical subjects
G N Hamadeh
Publications and source records attributed to G N Hamadeh.
Most common diseases treated in primary health care facilities in Lebanon.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health has requested public health experts to assess the most common health problems seen in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. This paper presents the results of this assessment conducted in a convenience sample of PHC centers. The assessment aimed at identifying areas of strength and gaps in the current system. Data were drawn from 23 PHC centers in various regions of Lebanon, in addition to an 8-year review of the experience of the Department of Family Medicine at the American University Hospital. In general, 46% of all visits to PHC centers did not include any kind of diagnosis. Most centers provided data on large categories of diseases without breakdown into specific entities. The most commonly identified health problems were hypertension, diabetes and asthma, in addition to eye and ear diseases, cardiologic conditions, and dermatologic problems. Other health problems included ill-defined signs and symptoms associated most likely with mental distress. Dental caries, skin and hair parasites, and respiratory tract infections topped the health problems among children. A qualitative synopsis of all data is presented. The paper highlights the limitations of the current health information system in Lebanon, and suggests corrective measures. It also presents a number of recommendations regarding the optimal use of PHC centers for health education and promotion and for disease prevention.
Laboratory outbreak of Q fever.
An outbreak of Q fever in a university department where sheep placentas were being used for research is described. Of six persons exposed to the sheep, four had positive titers with only one person developing an acute febrile illness and liver disease. This report illustrates the value of the family physician obtaining an occupational history and conducting an outbreak investigation.
Survey of family medicine residents evaluation methods.
BACKGROUND: Family medicine residents are evaluated to ensure mastery of required practice skills by a variety of methods. The objective of this paper is to report the results of a sample of the 394 accredited family practice residencies to determine the evaluation methods used and their corresponding value to the program. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to program directors and chief residents of all accredited family practice residency programs. RESULTS: Responses were received from the director or chief resident of 354 (90%) programs. For 195 programs, both the chief resident and program director responded. The five most common evaluation methods were the American Board of Family Practice In-Training Examination, formative review sessions, resident chart review, list of procedures performed, and family medicine conference attendance. Of 195 programs for which directors and chief residents both responded, directors and chief residents differed significantly in the reported number of evaluation methods but not in perceived value of those evaluation methods. Neither geographic region, community or university affiliation, class size, nor age of program was associated with differences in numbers of evaluation methods or perceived value of those methods. CONCLUSION: Many highly rated resident evaluation methods are being utilized by less than one-third of the programs. The most prevalent forms of evaluation appear to be auditing medical practices and behaviors.