Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G R Freedman.
We describe a comprehensive screening project in a general practice in which patients over the age of 65 were assessed both socially and medically. We conclude from our results that there was little treatable but previously undiagnosed illness within the community studied.
Dissatisfaction at the lack of support and encouragement in the immediate post-partum period of mothers in hospital wishing to breast feed is expressed in their own words. Analysis indicates that mothers in the upper social classes are more likely to breast feed and that those who manage to sustain breast feeding for one week are likely to continue this method of feeding for at least six weeks and possibly for much longer. There is also evidence indicating that women who are encouraged during pregnancy to breast feed have a high success rate. Those responsible for supervising infant feeding need to be better educated in all its aspects.
Approximately nine per cent of all episodes and of all consultations in this practice during a two-year period were for musculo-skeletal disorders. Absence of ready access to hospital physiotherapy departments stimulated us to explore the possibilities of organising a private physiotherapy service.A scheme has now been in operation for over two years in which a physiotherapist treats patients on the practice premises. In this way it has been possible to provide prompt effective treatment at about one third of normal private physiotherapy charges. The scheme has succeeded from the points of view of therapeutic efficacy, of convenience to patients, to doctors and to physiotherapist, and of economy. The range of conditions treated and the results of treatment are described.