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Biomedical subjects

Mike Robling

Publications and source records attributed to Mike Robling.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Predicting the clinical course of suspected acute viral upper respiratory tract infection in children.

BACKGROUND: Suspected acute viral upper respiratory tract infection (SAVURTI) is the commonest acute reason why children consult in general practice. The clinical course varies widely and about one in five children re-consult for the same SAVURTI episode. If clinicians had feasible tools for predicting which children are likely to suffer a prolonged course, then additional explanations and possibly treatments could be provided at the initial consultation that might enable carers to manage the condition without re-consulting. OBJECTIVE: To identify features available on the day of consulting that might predict a prolonged clinical course among children with SAVURTI. METHOD: Regression analysis using Canadian Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) data from a randomized controlled trial cohort of children aged from 6 months to 12 years consulting in general practice with SAVURTI. RESULTS: Two variables from the clinician's records ('age' and 'cough') and two variables from the CARIFS completed by carers on the day of consulting ('fever' and 'low energy, tired') explained approximately 15% of the variation present in CARIFS scores on day seven. CONCLUSION: Children and carers may benefit from a clear account of the evidence that the clinical course of RTIs in children varies widely and may be longer that expected, and that prediction for individuals is difficult.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

A qualitative evaluation of implementing a randomized controlled trial in general practice.

BACKGROUND: For findings of randomized controlled trials in primary care to be applicable, both the sample of clinicians implementing the trial and the recruited patients should be as representative as possible. The processes of conducting trials should be made "user-friendly" to clinician investigators in order to maximize their participation in research. Formal evaluations of trial implementation are unusual. This study reports clinicians' perspectives on acting as a clinician investigator in a randomized controlled trial (the SAVIT study) in general practice. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to explore clinicians' accounts of taking part in a randomized controlled trial in which subjects were recruited opportunistically during general practice consultations. METHOD: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine GPs and one practice nurse practising in the Bro Taf area of South Wales who recruited children into the SAVIT study. A structured interview guide was used and data were analysed using the qualitative method of pattern coding. RESULTS: Major emerging themes included recruitment difficulties and concerns about the safety of the study medication. Participants also outlined positive aspects of the study (clarity and simplicity of the study, potential benefits to clinicians and patients and study team follow-up of recruited patients). Recommendations for possible improvements in study implementation included the simplification and reduction of patient reading materials and improved presentation of study materials. CONCLUSIONS: Difficulty in recruiting patients was the most frequently mentioned problem by clinician investigators. Insufficient time in the consultation was perceived as the main barrier. Ingredients of successful trial implementation include good organization, simple documentation and study procedures, and the ability to allay concerns about patient safety. Findings from this evaluation may assist researchers in the design and implementation of future community-based randomized controlled trials.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Management of suspected acute viral upper respiratory tract infection in children with intranasal sodium cromoglicate: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infection in children is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a family doctor, and antibiotics are often prescribed inappropriately. Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the ICAM-1 molecule, which is the receptor for human rhinoviruses. We aimed to investigate whether intranasal cromoglicate shortens duration of infection of the upper respiratory tract. METHODS: We randomly assigned 290 children diagnosed with suspected acute viral upper respiratory tract infection by their family doctor (137 boys, 153 girls; mean age 5.2 years [SD 3.39]) either intranasal 4% sodium cromoglicate spray or intranasal normal saline spray. Follow-up was by daily symptom diary for 2 weeks and by telephone. Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) score was the primary outcome measure. FINDINGS: 195 patients returned symptom diaries, and 20 of these could not be included in the main analysis. 246 patients completed the telephone interview at week 1. There was no difference in recovery rate over the first week between the two groups, with the estimated difference in slope of log (CARIFS) being -0.01 (95% CI -0.05 to 0.03). There were no differences between the two groups in side-effects or re-consultation rates. 43 (17%) of 246 children with suspected acute viral upper respiratory tract infection went back to see their family doctor, and 220 (89%) of 246 were managed without prescription of antibiotics. INTERPRETATION: Intranasal sodium cromoglicate is not a useful additional treatment for this infection. Our results further clarify the role of prescribed drugs for children with these frequent illnesses.

Acute Disease↗