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Biomedical subjects

P E Terry

Publications and source records attributed to P E Terry.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

HIV/AIDS health literacy in Zimbabwe--focus group findings from university students.

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study was designed to assess program needs and evaluate and improve HIV/AIDS prevention efforts at the University of Zimbabwe. METHODS: We conducted eight focus group discussions with 70 students and conducted key informant interviews with formal and informal opinion leaders. Four mixed-sex focus group discussions, two all-female, and two all-male sessions were held. RESULTS: We found a pervasive sense of despondency and powerlessness among students. Consistent across focus groups, but particularly within the women's groups, respondents revealed that financial and accommodation needs and peer pressure were causing many male and female students to engage in prostitution. Focus group discussions also revealed condom use with regular partners is low and that students dating partners who are employed find it hard to insist on condom use in the relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Participants stated programs had positively influenced their reduction in the number of sexual partners and intentions to get tested for HIV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

The physician's role in educating patients. A comparison of mailed versus physician-delivered patient education.

BACKGROUND: Patients value receiving educational information during office visits, but physicians often lack the time or training to satisfy this need. We examined whether an increased physician role in educating patients is an effective means of improving patient satisfaction. METHODS: Using a nonrandomized controlled research design, we compared patient satisfaction with self-care information provided by traditional direct-mail approaches and by physicians during routine office visits. We also studied a control group of patients receiving usual care. RESULTS: Patients who received a medical self-care book from a physician were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their office visit than those who received the book in the mail or those who experienced usual care. The intervention group reported greater satisfaction with 11 out of 13 variables related to physician-patient communication and quality of care. There were no significant differences between the control group and the direct-mail group. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who received self-care information from their physicians were significantly more satisfied with their care and their physician-patient communication experience than those in either the direct-mail group or the control group. Our findings lend support to the growing evidence that patients informed by their physicians are more satisfied with their care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The effect of a materials-based intervention on knowledge of risk-based clinical prevention screening guidelines.

The release of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines (GUIDELINES) introduces an opportunity to modify patient expectations about the timing of routine examinations. This randomized, controlled study examines the effect of a materials-based educational intervention on knowledge and beliefs about risk-based preventive screening guidelines. The study was conducted in a large multi-specialty group practice participating in a network model HMO in the upper midwest with over 250,000 members. Subjects were selected from patients of a primary care clinic in a suburban section of a major metropolitan area. A 48-page prevention guidebook based on the GUIDELINES was distributed to a randomly assigned treatment group of 200 patients enrolled in an HMO. A 22-item questionnaire on preventive health services that measured respondents' age-adjusted risks and knowledge of risk-based screening guidelines was sent to both experimental and control groups. A 69% response rate was achieved. chi 2 analysis and t-tests showed that the treatment group was significantly more accurate in identifying recommended GUIDELINES for colon examinations (digital rectal, stool occult, sigmoidoscopy), blood pressure, and Pap tests. No significant differences related to identifying GUIDELINES for mammograms and clinical breast examinations were found between the groups. Communications about new screening guidelines can yield positive but selective changes in knowledge and beliefs about appropriate screening intervals.

Communication↗
PubMed1993

The effect of self-care brochures on use of medical services.

A random sample of 14,917 new enrollees in a state-wide health maintenance organization was selected as part of a study of the effectiveness of medical self-care brochures. Medical ICD-9 codes related to each of the conditions described in the brochures were examined for the intervention group (N = 7439) and controls (N = 7478). Significantly less utilization was found for visits due to colds in the month following brochure distribution (P < .01). While not statistically significant, trends in the expected direction of less utilization for earaches and less total medical charges for the intervention group were also found. No significant differences were found related to headache and backache symptoms, although a greater proportion of the intervention group reported backache symptoms. Utilization related to sore throats and fever was significantly (P < .001) higher in the intervention group. These findings suggest that a minimal intervention such as brochure distribution can have a favorable, albeit minimal, impact on medical services utilization. Self-care education may also play a role in increasing utilization for certain types of health conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

HIV-antibody testing in a multispecialty group practice.

The authors reviewed the trends in HIV-antibody testing at a multispecialty group practice with more than 280 physicians. Based on a chart review of 243 randomly selected patient records, they judged 38% of the tests ordered to be for low-risk individuals. Forty-five percent of the records documented the patient's informed consent before testing, and only 15% noted that patient education or counseling had been given.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Are health risks related to medical care charges in the short-term? Challenging traditional assumptions.

PURPOSE: This study examines the association between self-reported health risks and short-term use of medical resources. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study comparing responses from a mailed survey with medical encounter and expenditure data. Bivariate analyses and multivariate linear and logistic regressions controlling for age, gender, and health status were conducted to illustrate the relationship between selected risk factors and resource use. SETTING: A group network model health maintenance organization (HMO) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. SUBJECTS: The study population was comprised of a randomly selected sample of nonsenior adults (18 to 64 years old, n = 3825) and seniors (65 years and older, n = 1955) who were enrolled in an HMO. The response rate was 72%. MEASURES: Five independent variables: smoking, alcohol use, obesity, lack of physical activity, and unhappiness were derived from a questionnaire designed to assess health status and health risks. Outcome measures were medical care charges and use of hospital services. RESULTS: Obesity, physical inactivity, and unhappiness were related to higher charges among seniors. These relationships dissipated to some degree after controlling for age, gender, and health status. Unexpected differences were found for alcohol use among both age groups, with those considered to be "not at risk" accruing higher charges and demonstrating a higher likelihood of using inpatient hospital services than those defined to be at risk. CONCLUSIONS: Bivariate and multivariate regression results demonstrated that traditional risk factors are weak and inconsistent predictors of short-term medical charges. Charging smokers and other high risk individuals a higher annual insurance premium than is offered for those at low risk raises questions about fairness when such risk factors are not necessarily good predictors of short-term resource use. The rationale for insurance cost-shifting should be supported with reliable data connecting risks to charges.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health risks and educational interests in an HMO.

A health survey was randomly administered to 1000 members of a 250,000 member HMO to help develop education programs and establish baseline risks and interests among HMO members. The sample was found to have lower than average risks related to smoking, average risks for weight, and above average risks related to exercise compared to state and national reference standards. The highest level of interest was reported for exercise, followed by stress reduction, weight loss, and smoking cessation. The older age groups were less likely to report an interest in attending fitness programs. The more educated respondents were less likely to attend weight control and stress programs. Based on these results, strategies for increasing involvement in educational programs to reduce health risks are discussed.

Aged↗