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Biomedical subjects

J A McSherry

Publications and source records attributed to J A McSherry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Patients with eating disorders. How well are family physicians managing them?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the attitudes and behaviour of family physicians toward patients with eating disorders (EDs) and to assess these physicians' ongoing learning needs. DESIGN: Confidential survey by mail. SETTING: Family practices in London, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred thirty-six general FPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of FPs seeing patients with EDs, screening and management practices, learning needs. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 87.7%; 64% of respondents were male, 36% were female, and 54% had completed a family medicine residency program. Overall, FPs were more comfortable with diagnosis, and less comfortable with management, of EDs. Most respondents shared care with other professionals, usually psychiatrists and nutritionists. Female physicians had identified a larger number of ED patients in their practices and were more likely to screen routinely for EDs. Three quarters of FPs rated their undergraduate training in EDs as poor, and 59% thought their postgraduate training was poor. Outpatient services, diagnostic issues, screening needs, and management planning were identified as important learning needs. Family physicians thought these needs could be best addressed in interactive workshops or peer-led case-discussion groups. CONCLUSION: Family physicians are important in first-line treatment of EDs, but many barriers prevent effective diagnosis and management. Validated screening tools and management strategies could assist FPs in caring for patients with EDs.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cognitive impairment after head injury.

Cognitive impairment is common after head injury, even when the injury has been minor and does not require inpatient assessment or management. The intellectual deficit is maximal in the first week after injury and tends to resolve spontaneously within three or four weeks. It may, however, still be present six months or longer after the injury. Neuropsychologic testing is required to detect subtle cognitive deficits that may nevertheless have far-reaching effects. Cognitive impairment after head injury has specific implications for family physicians, team physicians, educators and athletic coaches.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Was Mary, Queen of Scots, anorexic?

Medical historians have traditionally believed that Mary, Queen of Scots, suffered from gastric ulceration which began when she was aged thirteen years. More recent evidence indicates that she may have suffered from porphyria with her first severe attack occurring when she was aged twenty four years. The medical history of Queen Mary's teenage years is reviewed and thought to be compatible with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. A brief outline of the historical awareness, diagnostic criteria and epidemiological aspects of anorexia nervosa supports this view.

Anorexia Nervosa↗
PubMed1985

Diagnosing infectious mononucleosis.

Infectious mononucleosis can be diagnosed with certainty only when suggestive clinical findings are corroborated by relative and absolute lymphocytosis, lymphocyte atypia of more than 20 percent and a positive serologic test. A serologic test is not absolutely necessary when atypical lymphocytes exceed 40 percent since this is specific to infectious mononucleosis. The diagnosis is difficult when clinical findings are scanty and the blood picture is unhelpful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Herpes genitalis in a student population.

Increased reporting of genital herpes has led to claims in the lay press of an epidemic of herpes genitalis. In a study at Queen's University Student Health Service during a nine-month period, a first diagnosis of genital herpes was made in 5.9/1,000 students attending the clinic. Excluding those patients with recurrent illness by history, the incidence of genital herpes was 4.5/1,000. Recovery of the virus was successful in 91 percent of attempted cultures. Complications were low. Genital herpes is an important sexually transmitted disease in the student population, but claims of an epidemic are exaggerated.

Female↗
PubMed1984

The diagnostic challenge of anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is apparently increasing in incidence and prevalence. Accurate diagnosis may be delayed because of the wide range of presenting complaints and the grossly misleading history. Expenditure of valuable time and resources on fruitless investigations may be avoided if physicians acquire some knowledge of common anorexic behavior patterns. It should be possible to make a confident diagnosis on clinical grounds alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen. Children and young adults are at particular risk, especially if they are living in closed communities. As many as one in five persons with M. pneumoniae infection may develop pneumonia. Infection is endemic within the community, with two peaks of incidence each year. Early diagnosis requires recognition of the disease pattern, although the chest radiograph may be helpful. Tetracycline and erythromycin are effective therapy.

Disease Outbreaks↗