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Biomedical subjects

M A Innes

Publications and source records attributed to M A Innes.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

First year medical students' perceptions and use of complementary and alternative medicine.

OBJECTIVES: To explore First Year medical students' rating of CAM therapies following a core teaching session. To determine the influence of student gender and previous experience of CAM and therapist/teacher gender and professional background on ratings. DESIGN: Survey; self-administered questionnaire following a teaching session. SETTING: First Year medical students Behavioural Science module CAM teaching session, University of Birmingham Medical School, UK. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty (71.0%) students completed a questionnaire. 56 (37.3%) students had previous experience of CAM, particularly where a family member already used it (P = < 0.001). Aromatherapy (29/56, 51.7%) and homoeopathy (17/56, 30.3%) were the most common therapies listed. Females were more likely than males to have used aromatherapy (P = 0.038) or reflexology (P = 0.007). Students using aromatherapy were more likely to have self treated (P = 0.01). Of 82 episodes of CAM use, most (67/82,81.7%) were stated to have been helpful. Hypnotherapy (P = 0.003) and aromatherapy (P = 0.015) were most helpful. Following the teaching session students rated therapies observed on a 10 point scale, 1 (extremely sceptical) to 10 (totally convinced). All were rated above the mid-point; highest rated was chiropractic (median score = 8), lowest, reflexology (median score = 5.06). Students who had previously used hypnotherapy gave it higher scores (P = 0.018). Students whose family used CAM were more likely to rate aromatherapy highly (P = .027) and to give homoeopathy a low score (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A short CAM teaching session early in the curriculum can inform students about the relationship of CAM with current medical practice. It can be used as a 'taster' prior to selection of Special Study Module choices in later years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Initial management strategies for dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: This review considers management strategies (combinations of initial investigation and empirical treatments) for dyspeptic patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost effectiveness of the following initial management strategies for patients presenting with dyspepsia (a) initial pharmacological therapy (including endoscopy for treatment failures) (b) early endoscopy (c) testing for Helicobacter pylori and endoscope only those positive (d) H.pylori eradication therapy with or without prior testing. SEARCH STRATEGY: Trials were located through electronic searches and extensive contact with trialists. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials of dyspeptic patients presenting in primary care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data was collected on dyspeptic symptoms, quality of life and use of resources. MAIN RESULTS: Ten papers reporting 12 comparisons were found. Trials comparing proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with antacids (2 trials) and H2 receptor antagonists (3 trials), and of early endoscopy compared with initial acid suppression (3 trials) were pooled. PPIs were significantly more effective than both H2RA s and antacids. Relative risks (RR) and 95% CI were, for PPI: antacid 0.72 (0.64-0.80), PPI: H2RA 0.63 (0.47-0.85). Results for other drug comparisons were either absent or inconclusive. Early endoscopy was not more effective than initial prescribing (RR 0.90 (0.77-1.04), but current studies lack power. No eligible trials of H.pylori test and endoscopy or test and eradicate were found. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: PPIs are effective in the treatment of dyspepsia in these trials which may not adequately exclude patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The relative efficacy of H2RA and PPI is uncertain. Early investigation may benefit some patients with dyspepsia. The review will be updated shortly with several large trials that have recently been completed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Considering the alternatives: a special study module in complementary therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe the motivation, experience and attitude change of 21 undergraduate medical students who chose a special study module in complementary therapy (CT). DESIGN: Survey; self-administered questionnaire before and after the module. SETTING: Second year medical students' course special study module in CT concentrating on homeopathy at The University of Birmingham Medical School, UK. RESULTS: Twenty questionnaires were completed at each time point with 19 sets of paired data. Students saw the module as offering a rare opportunity to examine and evaluate non-orthodox therapies. Eleven students had personal experience of a CT prior to the module, but there was a wide range of student attitudes from 'scepticism' to 'acceptance'. Students tended to rate the efficacy of CT as a whole, and homeopathy in isolation, similarly (P = 0.005). This trend was less marked at the end (P = 0.077). On both occasions CT was rated higher. Individual student's ratings moved in both directions. Twelve students considered learning and practising a CT, most commonly acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of UK undergraduate medical curricula has begun to incorporate non-core components through special study modules. The Birmingham CT module was popular and attracted students with a range of initial attitudes. We have demonstrated that it allowed a process of discernment about the value and role of CT within the established medical system whilst maintaining heterogeneity of opinion.

Attitude↗