Biomedical subjects

R S Bailie

Publications and source records attributed to R S Bailie.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

General practitioners' perceptions regarding coordinated care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes of general practitioners to the changing roles in the coordination of complex patient care. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was distributed with Australian Doctor. RESULTS: GPs were found to fall into four broad groups in relation to care coordination: those who do not want to expand their role in coordination of care (30%); those who would like to expand their role in coordination of care, but do not want to take costs into account when making decisions about patient care (34%); those who would like to expand their role in coordination of care, do think costs should be taken into account, but do not wish to be involved in budget management (21%); and those who would like to expand their role in coordination of care and be involved in budget management (22%). CONCLUSION: In the context of the introduction of managed care in Australia, this survey highlights the potential for GPs to take on a range of roles and responsibilities under these arrangements.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Surveillance for equity in cervical cytology screening.

BACKGROUND: The opportunistic basis on which screening has been conducted in South Africa has resulted in multiple rescreening of a small proportion of the population (which excludes most women at high risk) and low population coverage. There has consequently been a failure of screening to impact on the incidence of cervical cancer in most of the population. AIM: To propose the use of the ratio of smears showing cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN)III: smears showing signs of malignancy as an indicator for the surveillance of equity in cervical cytology screening, and to apply this indicator to an area of the Western Cape of South Africa. RESULTS: Marked inequity in screening is demonstrated between metropolitan and non-metropolitan area, and between different non-metropolitan districts. Inequity in screening between different age groups of women is also found, and this is associated with an inappropriately young age distribution of screening activity. CONCLUSIONS: The application of this indicator in the routine surveillance of screening activity may be useful in monitoring progress towards the implementation of more equitable screening programmes, and the validity of the indicator should be tested in other settings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Trends in cervical cancer mortality in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is an important cause of death throughout the world, especially in less developed countries. Reports of trends in cervical cancer mortality from less developed countries have been limited by poor data quality and inaccurate population estimates. This paper examines trends in cervical cancer mortality in South Africa from 1949 to 1990 and discusses the impact of cytology screening on these trends. METHODS: Analysis of national mortality statistics and reconstructed population data. RESULTS: The age-standardized mortality rates for Whites declined after the mid 1960s, while that for Coloureds rose, particularly before the 1970s. These trends were affected predominantly by trends among women in the 35-64 age range. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of mortality in successive birth cohorts for Whites is consistent with a reduction in age-specific mortality following the advent of cytological screening. The same pattern is not evident in trends for Coloureds, among whom screening has apparently had a minor impact if any at all. The apparent lack of impact of screening in those groups of women most at risk of cervical cancer lends weight to demands for the implementation of equitable and rational screening programmes for cervical cancer in South Africa and internationally.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Trends in photochemical smog in the Cape Peninsula and the implications for health.

There has been growing public concern over reports of increasing air pollution in the Cape Peninsula. Attention has been focused on the 'brown haze' and on photochemical smog. Because of deficiencies in the monitoring equipment, information on trends in photochemical smog levels over the past decade is limited. Trends in oxides of nitrogen, one of the main precursors of photochemical smog, and therefore an indicator of the potential for its formation, were examined for the period 1984-1993. Meaningful data for determining trends were available from only a single site. Increases in mean monthly levels, peak hourly levels and the number of times guidelines were exceeded were demonstrated. Given the dynamics of formation of photochemical smog and the particular role of motor vehicles, it is argued that the trends measured at this site are probably an underestimate of the trends in other parts of the Cape Town metropolitan area. Some of the precursors of photochemical smog, notably nitrogen dioxide, and some of its components, notably ozone, have been shown to be detrimental to respiratory health at levels close to, or below, current recommended guidelines. A continuing increase in these pollutants will therefore result in more respiratory illness, particularly among susceptible groups. This calls for an upgrading of monitoring of air pollution in Cape Town and for appropriate steps to prevent its further increase.

Air Pollutants↗