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Biomedical subjects

H W Acheson

Publications and source records attributed to H W Acheson.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

The cost of prescribing in general practice.

Costs to the National Health Service and to the patients were determined for a sample of 77 patients who had consulted their doctor about back pain, depression or eczema. One of the main costs of the Health Service was for medication. Prescription forms were traced and costed after dispensing. Costs to patients included monetary aspects, side effects of medication and socio-emotional responses to illness. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to measure the latter on a time-scale series. Consultations with patients who had eczema were most likely to result in medication being prescribed. The mean cost of medication throughout the episode of illness was highest for those who had consulted about depression. Patients reported that 59 (61%) of prescribed items resulted in an improvement of the condition. This was likely to occur most often with treatment for eczema and least likely for patients who had back pain. Non-monetary costs, e.g. disruption of social life, were found to be highest in relation to depression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Clinical knowledge and education for general practice.

This project was concerned with the clinical knowledge reported by general practitioners in relation to the diagnosis and management of seven common clinical conditions: acute otitis media, jaundice, iron-deficiency anaemia, transient cerebral vascular insufficiency, infectious mononucleosis, pulmonary infarction, and carcinoma of the prostate. Postal questionnaires were sent to three groups of doctors: a constant group of experienced general practitioners who were or had been trainers, randomly selected groups of 200 general practitioners, and small groups of consultants who were specialists in each condition. The last two groups were changed for each of the chosen clinical conditions; the constant group remained the same throughout. The study was not concerned with the attitudes and skills of general practitioners or consultants, and no attempt has been made to analyse the process of clinical problem-solving. The differences between the constant group and random group of general practitioners were minor. Consultants received questionnaires identical to those sent to general practitioners and were asked to answer them as they would expect a competent general practitioner to do; their answers suggested a more direct approach to the problem concerned than those given by general practitioners. The information obtained has implications for education for general practice and educational audit programmes. Areas for further research are suggested.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1978

Why standards?

My experiences of growing up in a general practitioner's home and practice led me to want to be a general practitioner myself.The early 1950s were critical years for general practice. Three developments - the foundation and work of the College, the introduction of vocational training, and the development of postgraduate medical centres - have led to its revival.The next main change may well be the interest in, and development of, clinical standards. In my opinion this ought to be done by general practitioners themselves rather than by society via the Ombudsman.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1976

Converting medical records to A4 size in general practice.

A procedure for converting the medical record envelopes now used in general practice to an A4-sized record folder is described. The average time for conversion was 20.2 minutes per record and the cost, excluding filing equipment, averaged 41.6 pence for each record. The average cost to the practice was reduced to 16.4 pence per record by the reimbursement of 70 per cent of the clerk's salary from the local Family Practitioner Committee.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1976

The university department of general practice: its function and role.

The need is stressed for university departments of general practice to examine their role and create a philosophy which will guide their function. The success of a department depends upon clear objectives, teamwork, and integration with the teaching given by other clinical departments in the medical school. The contribution of general practice to undergraduate training is discussed and problems associated with the recruitment of staff are indicated.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1974

Continuing education in general practice in England and Wales.

In 1970, a random sample of 9.5 per cent of general-practitioner principals in England and Wales were asked about continuing education; 53 per cent of them replied. Respondents preferred long intensive courses, thought that dissemination of information about national courses was defective, and the 32 per cent who required a locum before they could attend a course had difficulty in obtaining one. Local educational activity is enhanced by the presence of a postgraduate medical centre.

Age Factors↗