Biomedical subjects

Karen Burgess

Publications and source records attributed to Karen Burgess.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Which general practices have higher list inflation? An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: There is a 7% discrepancy between English population estimates based on census figures and those based on the registered lists of GPs. GP income under the 2004 new contract will be based on registered patient populations but a national 'de-ghosting' exercise will ensue, aiming to eliminate list inflation. OBJECTIVE: To derive an estimate of the variation in list inflation between individual general practices. METHODS: Letters were sent to all men aged 20-29 years and registered at practices based in three inner city Primary Care Trusts (n = 42 712). Non respondents received one further reminder. Cards were issued to each GP listing non responders. Patients were deducted from the GP list after six months if the GP did not verify the address. RESULTS: 42 712 letters were sent. 33.5% of registered patients were eventually deducted from the GP list (deduction figures only available for 20-24 year old group). Practice level deduction rates ranged from 7-76%. Practices with higher deduction rates achieved lower vaccination rates for 2 year olds (Pearson's r = 20.25; P = 0.005) and cervical smear rates (Pearson's r = 20.18; P = 0.04); they also had cheaper prescribing costs per ASTRO-PU (Pearson's r = 20.20; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: If these findings apply to the whole registered population, the national de-ghosting exercise is likely to result in large changes to the list size of some practices. Without correcting for list inflation, primary care research based on patient list size as the denominator may underestimate various measures of GP activity, particularly in deprived inner city areas. Resource allocation is also likely to be distorted by differences in list inflation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Refractory erosive oral lichen planus associated with hepatitis C: response to topical tacrolimus ointment.

BACKGROUND: Erosive lichen planus is a painful and disabling disease that is frequently resistant to topical and systemic therapies. Current therapies are considered palliative rather than curative as many patients relapse after discontinuing treatment. An association has been reported between some cases of oral lichen planus (OLP) and chronic hepatitis C infection. OBJECTIVE: We report on a 51-year-old hepatitis C-positive man with corticosteroid refractory erosive lichen planus of the lip who had a rapid resolution of his lesions following a two-week course of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment. The patient remains symptom-free at one year post-treatment. CONCLUSION: This case supports the safety and efficacy of topical tacrolimus in patients with steroid-refractory OLP associated with chronic hepatitis C.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2005

New dentist shows commitment to community and profession.

In 2005, Dr. Jose Peralez won the ADA's Golden Apple Award for New Dentist Leadership. He is a second-career native of the Rio Grande Valley who returned after his 1995 graduation from dental school to serve the community he grew up in. Dr. Peralez helped to purchase, manage, and staff a mobile clinic, create a voucher program administered through school nurses, and engage legislators in issues of oral health care for the underserved. He believes that "habits of involvement" are cross generational and contagious.

Awards and Prizes↗

PubMed2005

Mentor says learning is a two-way street.

This year's winner of the ADA award for Individual Achievement in Mentoring, Dr. Ronald Stifter explains how opportunities exist for established dentists to mentor students and young practitioners. In a changing professional world where competition, debt, and diversity have grown, the guidance of a mature dentist is a valuable way to invest in the future of the profession.

Awards and Prizes↗

PubMed2003

ADA members weigh in on critical issues.

BACKGROUND: Science, new technology, patient care, dental reimbursement and government regulations all affect today's dental practitioners. To find out more about how such challenges may affect current private practitioners, the American Dental Association conducted the 2000 Membership Needs and Opinions Survey. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 6,310 ADA members in January 2000 with follow-up mailings in February, March and April 2000. Data collection was completed in July 2000. The survey included questions on critical professional issues, and on perceptions of the ADA and ADA priorities. A total of 3,558 completed surveys were received for an adjusted response rate of 59.5 percent. RESULTS: Members rated the identified issues' level of importance to them. The top three issues included "maintaining my ability to recommend the treatment option I feel is most appropriate for my patients," "receiving fair reimbursement for the dental services I provide," and "protecting myself, my staff and my patients from communicable diseases." New dentists found other items to be more significant to them compared with members overall. CONCLUSIONS: Although ADA members as a whole had similar views on critical issues facing dentistry and ADA priorities, there were significant differences regarding some issues. New dentists were far more concerned about securing funds for their practice and paying off debt than were all ADA members. Minority dentists expressed greater levels of concern about certain issues than did all ADA members. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: When planning and implementing ADA activities, the Association should continue to take into account members' relative rankings of professional issues and note issues of special interest to selected membership subgroups.

American Dental Association↗

PubMed2003

ADA members weigh in on perceptions of the ADA and association priorities.

BACKGROUND: The American Dental Association conducted the 2000 Membership Needs and Opinions Survey to evaluate the professional needs and personal perceptions of ADA members on selected topics. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to a sample of 6,310 ADA members in January 2000 with follow-up mailings in February, March and April 2000. Data collection was completed in July 2000. The survey included questions on critical professional issues, perceptions of the American Dental Association and its priorities. A total of 3,558 surveys were received for an adjusted response rate of 59.5 percent. Only professionally active dentists who were ADA members were included in the sampling frame. RESULTS: Members evaluated statements about the American Dental Association, revealing their perceptions of the ADA on key issues. Findings showed strong support for the ADA Seal program, agreement that the ADA enhances the integrity and ethics of the profession and that the ADA is the premier professional association for dentists. Findings also provided information regarding the relative importance of ADA priorities by allocating "dues dollars" in $5 increments. The highest priorities were "providing continuing education to dentists," "lobbying members of Congress and federal regulatory agencies" and "influencing national public health policy." CONCLUSIONS: ADA members, both new and established dentists, had positive perceptions of the Association and its programs. Although there was general agreement between these groups concerning ADA priorities, there was a substantial difference between some subgroups (especially graduate students and federally employed dentists) and the overall membership on the issue of changes in the licensure process to facilitate dentists' freedom of movement. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The Association should continue to take into account the membership's perceptions of the ADA and its priorities, as well as note issues of special interest to selected membership subgroups, in the planning and implementation of Association activities.

American Dental Association↗