Characteristics of primary care office systems as predictors of mammography utilization

Article Abstract:

The most important predictors of mammography use for members of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are related to characteristics of the primary physician's office and the mammography site itself. Mammograms screen for early signs of breast cancer and are most often recommended for women older than 50. Women who were members of a HMO in Massachusetts were more likely to keep their appointment if it was scheduled at a center specifically designed for mammography which provides immediate interpretation of results, among other services. The most important factors found in the primary care physician's office were the use of flowsheets on patient charts and having the patient schedule her own appointment. Also, patients from practitioners in group practice were more likely to have mammography performed. Members of HMOs were studied so that cost would not be a factor influencing a woman's decision to have a mammogram.

Health aspects, Usage, Women, Women's health, Mammography

---

Prevention of HIV infection in primary care: current practices, future possibilities

Article Abstract:

There are four barriers preventing effective HIV counseling in medical practice. Firstly, physicians are not used to addressing issues other than medical problems requiring prompt care. Physicians need to shed their reluctancy to engage in HIV prevention and other preventive efforts. Secondly, unreasonable prejudice towards drug use and sexuality may prevent open dialogue. Physician education may reduce this obvious barrier to more effective care. Thirdly, limited time and resources further exclude physician involvement in counseling or prevention. Until physicians receive encouragement and reimbursement for such services, silence will prevail. And finally, ambiguous messages about safe sex may undermine physician credibility. Realistic knowledge about the lifestyle of patients, oral sex, limiting the number of sex partners, and risk awareness can translate into meaningful advice to the patient.

Prevention, HIV infection, HIV infections

---

Clinical reporting to primary care physicians leads to increased use and understanding of bone densitometry and affects the management of osteoporosis: a randomized trial

Article Abstract:

Giving physicians long reports written by endocrinologists rather than a short report may increase their referral of patients at risk for osteoporosis for bone density screening. Researchers randomly assigned 57 primary care physicians who referred patients for bone densitometry to receive a short technical report giving the results or a long clinical report giving them much more detail. Physicians who received long reports referred more patients for the test and had a greater understanding of the role bone density plays in osteoporosis.

Analysis, Diagnosis, Medical referral, Osteoporosis, Bone densitometry

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: P-glycoprotein expression as a predictor of the outcome of therapy for neuroblastoma. Expression of P-glycoprotein in high-grade osteosarcomas in relation to clinical outcome
• Abstracts: Alcoholism in relatives of primary cocaine-dependent patients. Deaf culture and alcohol and substance abuse
• Abstracts: Achieving a uniform federal primary care policy: opportunities presented by national health reform. The war against disease and disability
• Abstracts: 90K protein: a new predictor marker of disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Survival prognosis of HIV-infected patients
• Abstracts: Establishing smoking cessation programs in dental offices. Trends in dental and allied dental education. Organizing dental study clubs

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.