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Biomedical subjects

J Schuling

Publications and source records attributed to J Schuling.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Adherence to the guidelines of a regional formulary.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacotherapeutical guidelines, called formularies, have been developed to facilitate effective, efficient and cost-conscious prescribing. Monitoring adherence to such guidelines may be a reasonable way of assessing prescribing practices. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess how strictly the GPs participating in our department's registration network adhere to the guidelines of the regional formulary, and which indications and drugs the GPs used. METHODS: This is a descriptive study, concerning 1000 consecutive prescriptions from each of the 17 participating GPs. The third edition of the Groningen formulary (GFIII), published in 1995, was used. If the drug prescribed was advised in the formulary, we considered it to be global adherence. If the indication was mentioned in the formulary, and the drug prescribed was advised for that indication in the formulary, it was considered to be specific adherence. Both the medications prescribed and the health problems registered by the GPs, but not mentioned in the GFIII, were analysed. RESULTS: The 17 000 prescriptions chosen for analysis formed approximately 25% of all prescriptions written by the GPs in 1 year. The indications for only 24 prescriptions (0. 14%) were missing. Among the 17 GPs, the number of different drugs prescribed varied between 167 and 219 per 1000 prescriptions. The global adherence varied from 76 to 89% among the GPs, and the specific adherence varied from 55 to 71%. Of the 17 000 prescriptions, 11 457 (67%) concerned indications mentioned in the GFIII. Prescriptions for indications not mentioned in the GFIII contained 4353 (78.5%) drugs advised in the formulary. Of the 251 medications mentioned in the GFIII, only 15 (6%) were not prescribed. DISCUSSION: The GPs in our study were neither representative, nor were they chosen at random. Their patient population was comparable in age, sex and insurance status. These findings are an example of what level of adherence is obtainable. The formulary covered approximately two-thirds of the indications registered by GPs, and did not contain many unnecessary medications (6%).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

What are the characteristics of the competent general practitioner trainer?

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention is being given to the training of doctors to become teachers. This does not apply only to the schooling of teachers in undergraduate medical education: at the postgraduate level, general practitioner trainers (GP-trainers) receive special schooling to prepare them for their role. Yet the skills, knowledge and traits that should be expected in the competent GP-trainer have not been elucidated precisely. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research project is to determine the traits, knowledge and skills required for a competent GP-trainer. METHOD: We used a qualitative method to answer the question. Ten focus-group meetings were held involving three Departments of Vocational Training in The Netherlands. Each group consisted of GP-trainers, GP-trainees or staff members. The transcriptions of these meetings were analysed, resulting in a description of what makes a competent GP-trainer. RESULTS: Five hundred items were obtained from the focus-group meetings, each of which was formulated in the form "A good GP-trainer is/can/knows. ", etc. These items were divided into the following categories: teaching knowledge, teaching skills, teaching attitude and personality traits of the GP-trainer. A competent GP-trainer must understand basic teaching methods and be able to apply this knowledge. The skill to give good feedback was seen as an important asset for a competent GP-trainer, as were observation skills, the skill to analyse and the skill to foster reflection in the trainee. The teaching attitude of a competent GP-trainer is characterized by giving latitude to and having respect for and interest in the trainee, and being available for consultation, while the teaching approach should be individualized. Enthusiasm, flexibility, patience and self-insight were some of the personality traits identified. CONCLUSION: Many characteristics were identified as a result of this research. The next logical step will involve a Delphi consensus procedure to obtain a profile of the competent GP-trainer. This profile will then be suitable in setting the standards for curricula for future GP-trainers.

Attitude↗
PubMed1999

Patient education to users of oral hypoglycemic agents: the perspective of Dutch community pharmacists.

The purpose of this study was to indicate which patient education activities directed at users of oral hypoglycemic agents are desirable in Dutch community pharmacies and to explore which preconditions should be considered when implementing the desired activities. A qualitative study was conducted with a panel composed of seven pharmacists and seven technicians with considerable experience in giving advice to people with diabetes mellitus type 2. A consensus method was used, which consisted of a written questionnaire and a feedback discussion, to determine which activities were considered desirable and to identify which other health care providers should be involved. The way these activities should be implemented was explored by a focus-group discussion. The following goals of patient education activities were studied: 1) adherence to the dosage regimen, 2) adherence to lifestyle advices, 3) gaining awareness of effects and 4) self-monitoring. According to the members of the panel, patient education activities should be directed primarily at stimulating adherence to the dosage regimen, increasing awareness of side effects and improving the correct technical use of blood glucose meters. Activities directed at lifestyle advice seemed to be less desirable to the pharmacy staff. Preconditions that should be considered when implementing these activities were structural cooperation with GPs and diabetic nurses and specialization of tasks of pharmacy technicians. Our results indicate that deepening of existing tasks, such as stimulating adherence to the dosage regimen is desirable in developing patient education activities at users of oral hypoglycemic agents.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Risks and causes of death in a community-based stroke population: 1 month and 3 years after stroke.

We performed a community-based study on a cohort of 221 stroke patients followed for 3 years. In this paper, we tried to answer the following questions: Is the risk of dying increased throughout the first 3 years after stroke? What are the causes of death after the 1st month? What factors at stroke onset are independent predictors of early and late mortality? The relative risk of death was estimated using age- and sex-specific mortality rates for the Netherlands. Causes of death were registered by the attending physicians, mostly general practitioners. During the 1st month 26% of the patients died. At 1, 2 and 3 years, the cumulative mortality rates were 37, 46 and 54%, respectively. Stroke patients had an increased risk of dying, approximately twice that of the general population, during the 3 years of follow-up. In women, this increased risk was more pronounced than in men. After 1 month, cardiovascular pathology, stroke and diseases resulting from stroke were the causes of death in 70% of the patients, i.e. substantially higher than in the general population, matched for age and sex. Factors predicting mortality after stroke varied over time. Severity of the stroke, preexisting atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure were associated with early mortality (within 30 days). For 1-month survivors, incontinence and preexisting atrial fibrillation were associated with mortality in the 1st year after stroke. After 1 year, only age was associated with mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparative study of a foam mattress and a water mattress.

In order to determine the effectiveness of high-quality foam replacement mattresses in the treatment of pressure ulcers, one such mattress (TheraRest) was compared with a water mattress (Secutex). One hundred and twenty nursing home patients with pressure ulcers were randomised into two groups and nursed on one of the mattresses for four weeks. After four weeks, 45% of the patients using the foam mattress were completely healed, compared with 48.3% of those using the water mattress. This difference is not significant. Since high-quality foam mattresses are cheaper in the long term than water mattresses, and are easier for nursing staff to manage, it is suggested that these mattresses are preferable.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

[How to continue after an error in family practice?].

Not just malfunctioning doctors make mistakes and errors, all doctors do. Patients suffer through errors, while the doctor is burdened by feelings of guilt and self-reproach. Furthermore the taboo on errors in medicine impedes doctors from learning from mistakes. Adequate management of these situations is of great importance. In order to minimise emotional damage to the patient and his relatives and to improve the quality of medical practice, acknowledgement of having made a mistake comes first; the general practitioner should be aware of personal defence mechanisms such as projection, denial or rationalisation. He should share his experience with some colleagues; in an atmosphere of trust the emotions of regret, shame and anger can be aired. Next the peer group assists in analysing the incident step by step. This analysis makes it possible to learn from the error and perhaps to take measures to prevent recurrence. Thereafter management with respect to the patient or his relatives should be established with aid of the group. Guidelines are: make an appointment with the patient without delay; take ample time and avoid disturbance; listen to the patient and respect his feelings; express regret with regard to the consequences for the patient; contact the patient again after an interval to check if new questions have arisen. This approach is helpful in restoring the patient-doctor relation after a mistake.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1997

[Polypharmacy in the elderly with chronic diseases: conflicting interests].

Polypharmacy patients are elderly people with multiple chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many specialists are involved, each of them trying to optimise the function of a particular organ system. The general practitioner has the overall picture and assesses the consequences for the quality of life of the patient. Specialists and pharmacists should consult with the general practitioner, who ought to be in charge of treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The workload of trainees in general practice.

During their first training period in general practice the authors felt that they did not encounter the balanced workload which is the foundation for learning to be a GP. Previous studies confirmed the existence of differences in overall and specific workload between trainees and trainers. From their own experience and from the relevant literature they addressed several factors which might affect the workload of trainees. A study was undertaken to determine differences in workload between trainees and trainers, and to investigate whether certain characteristics of practice and of trainees affect the workload of trainees. Details of surgery consultations with 34 trainee-trainer partnerships were recorded in the north of the Netherlands over 2 weeks. Questionnaires were filled in by trainers, trainees and practice assistants from these 34 general practices. The total number of contacts recorded was 10,103. It was found that trainees see fewer elderly and female patients, less chronic and oncological conditions, but more minor illnesses. They see only 30% of patients with problem behavior. Factors that influence the trainees' workload, as compared to their trainers' are: list size; selection in the allocation of patients; trainee's experience prior to starting the training stage, and the trainee's sex. Except for problem behaviour, trainees generally see a cross-section of their trainer's practice population. Selection would provide a more balanced workload for trainees.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

A stroke-adapted 30-item version of the Sickness Impact Profile to assess quality of life (SA-SIP30).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In view of the growing therapeutic options in stroke, measurement of quality of life has become increasingly relevant as an outcome parameters. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) is one of the most widely used measures to assess quality of life. To overcome the major disadvantage of the SIP, its length, we constructed a short stroke adapted 30-item SIP version (SA-SIP30). METHODS: Data on the original SIP version were collected for 319 communicative patients at 6 months after stroke. The 12 subscales and the 136 items of the original SIP were reduced to 8 subscales with 30 items in a three step procedure, on the basis of relevancy and homogeneity. Reliability of the SA-SIP30 was evaluated by means of an analysis of homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha coefficient). Different types of validity were assessed: construct, clinical, and external validities. RESULTS: Homogeneity of the SA-SIP30 was demonstrated by a high Cronbach's alpha (0.85). Principal component analyses revealed the same two dimensions as in the original SIP (a physical and a psychosocial dimension). The SA-SIP30 could explain 91% of the variation in scores of the original SIP in the same cohort of patients, and 89% in a different cohort. Furthermore, the SA-SIP30 was related to other functional health measures similar to how the original SIP was. We could demonstrate that the SA-SIP30 was able to distinguish patients with lacunar infarctions from patients with cortical or subcortical lesions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the SA-SIP30 is a feasible and clinimetrically sound measure to assess quality of life after stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Functional status of the elderly measured with the Sickness Impact Profile].

The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) is a generic questionnaire developed to register the consequences of disease for daily life. We examined an open population (N = 232) aged 65 years and older irrespective of their health status by means of the SIP in order to obtain age related reference values. In addition to patient characteristics data on the patient's morbidity and health appraisal were collected. There appeared to be no relation between SIP-scores and sex. Age, however, as well as morbidity and health appraisal were significantly related to SIP-scores. These results emphasize the importance of the availability of age related reference values in outcome studies.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

[Home treatment of patients with cerebrovascular accidents].

OBJECTIVE: In the Netherlands one-third of stroke patients are managed at home. This study describes the characteristics of these patients and the management by the GP from stroke onset till six months afterwards. METHOD: A community based cohort of 185 stroke patients were examined at fixed intervals during 6 months poststroke; mortality and functional status of patients managed at home (n = 73) were compared with those of patients admitted to hospital (n = 109); 3 patients were directly admitted to a nursing home; characteristics of the GPs' management were registered. RESULTS: Patients managed at home were somewhat older (p < 0.05), lived more often in a residential home for the elderly (p < 0.05) and were more frequently known with comorbidity such as diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer (p < 0.05). Their poststroke disabilities were less grave; mortality rate was much lower than in the hospitalised group (p < 0.05). Recovery showed the same pattern in both groups. In the acute phase the GP made frequent housecalls; after a few days there was a decline in contact frequency. The mean 'treatment duration' was 12 weeks. The amount of care provided by the GP did not correlate with stroke severity. CONCLUSION: In the acute phase, when the patients' clinical condition was still unstable and the patients' families needed support, the GPs made frequent house-calls. During the stroke episode the number of contacts and the length of the treatment duration were defined more by comorbidity and social factors than by the severity of stroke. Regarding the pattern of stroke recovery the mean treatment duration of 12 weeks appears rather short for optimal support and rehabilitation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Clinimetric evaluation of the Barthel Index, a measure of limitations in dailly activities].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the clinimetric properties of the Barthel Index. DESIGN: To measure disabilities in activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility by independent observers. SETTING: Clinical and outpatient departments of Neurology of the University Medical Centre, Amsterdam. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In 35 patients of the clinical and 25 patients of the outpatient department the stroke disabilities were assessed independently by three observers. The Barthel Index was evaluated in terms of score agreements, homogeneity, and construct validity. RESULTS: There was an excellent concordance of total scores (mean kappa = 0.88; range 0.85-0.90) and single item scores (range mean values of kappa = 0.82-1.00). Repeated analyses, after exclusion of patients with maximum total scores, did not result in a significant reduction of these kappa values. The Barthel Index was a highly homogeneous scale (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96). All items contributed to this reliability in a balanced way. Factor analysis showed that the items on the scale described one common underlying trait. This factor explained 81% of the score variance. CONCLUSION: The Barthel Index is a sound instrument to measure disabilities in ADL and mobility. The scale is suitable for use in both patient care and research.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

The Frenchay Activities Index. Assessment of functional status in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Assessment of functional status in stroke patients is of major importance in both clinical practice and outcome studies. The Frenchay Activities Index has been developed specifically for measuring disability and handicap in stroke patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the metric properties of this instrument and to obtain normal values in a group of unselected elderly subjects. METHODS: The Frenchay Activities Index was tested in a group of stroke patients and a group of unselected subjects aged 65 or older. The functional status of the stroke patients was measured 26 weeks after stroke. Their prestroke status was registered retrospectively. Reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed. RESULTS: The mean scores in the prestroke, poststroke, and control group demonstrated differences in functional status. The reliability of unweighted scores (range of Cronbach's alpha-coefficients, 0.78 to 0.87) was sufficient. The construct validity was supported by meaningful correlations between the Frenchay Activities Index and scores on the Barthel Index and Sickness Impact Profile. Principal-components analysis indicated that the Frenchay Activities Index showed two traits: instrumental disability and some aspects of handicap. The reliability of the instrument could be improved by deleting two items and by creating two subscale scores: domestic and outdoors activities. CONCLUSIONS: The Frenchay Activities Index is a useful stroke-specific instrument to assess functional status. Completion of the questionnaire is easy and takes only a few minutes. Currently, the instrument is suitable for use in patient care and cross-sectional, descriptive studies.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

[The acute stage of the cerebrovascular accident; characteristics and management].

PURPOSE: Description of stroke patient characteristics, outcome in the acute phase (the first 3 weeks post-stroke) and management by the general practitioner (GP). DESIGN: Community based prospective study. METHODS: During the research period GPs reported all stroke patients (first event as well as recurring); these patients were followed at fixed intervals post-stroke regardless of treatment. RESULTS: The 98 GPs reported 185 patients. Stroke patients are predominantly old to very old people with a lot of comorbidity and an impaired pre-stroke functional status. The GP treated one third of the patients himself; half of the patients were instantly referred to a hospital. Younger patients are referred for further examination, probably because of possible therapeutic consequences. The very old are referred if their impairment makes home care impossible. Mortality, especially in the hospital group is high; 10% died within 24 hours, while after 1 week this figure was 17% and after 3 weeks 23%. In 21% of the referred patients no CT scan was made; the motive for referral was to provide sufficient care for the patient. In nine referred patients (8%) the diagnosis was changed. CONCLUSION: In choosing a strategy the GP considers several factors, of which impairment and the possibilities of home care are the most important. Diagnostic uncertainty played a minor role.

Activities of Daily Living↗