Effects of SARS on consultations in primary care in Hong Kong

Objective: To study the infection control measures and concerns in primary care practices, and the effects of SARS on primary care consultation using the Leicester Assessment Package (LAP) criteria during the SARS episode in Hong Kong. Design: A postal survey using a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts on the demographic data, infection control precautions taken and concerns of the respondents, and the effect of SARS on consultations. Subjects: Full members and fellows of the HKCFP. Main outcome measures: Infection control precautions including performance of initial screening/triage, by whom and how these were carried out, actions for the triaged patients, use of personal protection equipments (PPE), organisation and format of infection control training of staff and decontamination practice; perceptions of adequacy of protection and areas of concern; and proportion and degree to which consultation skills were affected using the LAP criteria. Results: The response rate was 60%. 71.4% respondents triaged their patients. 85.9% took temperatures of their patients. All respondents wore a mask during consultations. 69.8% organised training for their staff and clinic. Most respondents regularly decontaminated their clinic. 56% felt adequately protected by their infection control precautions and use of PPE but 44% did not. The major concerns were the variable clinical presentations of SARS, the practicability of wearing full protection, and the lack of early and reliable diagnostic tests. The type of practice was found to be a factor affecting the choice of infection control precautions. Consultation skills were found to be affected in ≤ 25% of consultations. History taking, physical examination, management and problem solving were found to be more difficult but relationship with patients and anticipatory care became easier. Conclusion: Choice of infection control precautions was related to the type of practice. The major concerns of primary care physicians were the variable clinical presentations of SARS and the lack of early and reliable diagnostic tests. Consultation skills were affected in ≤ 25% of consultations but patients were found to be more receptive to anticipatory care.published_or_final_versio

家庭醫生與非家庭醫生對於香港家庭醫學專科培訓所持意見的異同

目的: 探討本地醫生對家庭醫學專科培訓的意見，以作將來規劃醫療體制的參考。 設計: 橫斷面研究。 參與者及安排: 香港所有註冊醫生。 主要結果測量: 醫生對以下幾方面的評價：職業培訓的重要性、專業評核、工作性質和成為家庭醫生所需經驗，以及他們對於職業培訓所需年期的意見。 結果: 共2310位醫生完成問卷，佔本地醫生23%。最多醫生同意專業評核應為資格認可的因素，其他依次為職業培訓、臨床經驗及工作性質。七成以上受訪醫生認為培訓期應為四年或以下。非家庭醫生大多選擇專業評核作為資格認可的因素，他們亦傾向較長的培訓期。 結論: 職業培訓被認為是獲得家庭醫學專科資格的重要因素。大多數醫生認為培訓期應為四年或以下，而非香港醫學專科學院現時所訂立的六年期。因此，現時家庭醫學的職業培訓計劃或有檢討的需要。Objective: To study the local medical profession's opinions on the training requirements for the specialty of family medicine. This was to serve as a reference for future planning of the health care system. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants and Setting: All registered doctors in Hong Kong. Main outcome measures: Doctors' ratings on the importance of vocational training, professional assessment, job nature, and experience to become suitably qualified as a family doctor, and their opinions on the length of necessary vocational training. Results: A total of 2310 doctors (23% of doctors in the local register) responded. Professional assessment was mostly agreed as a qualification, followed by vocational training, clinical experience, and job nature. Over 70% agreed on a training period of 4 years or less. Non-family doctors were more likely to opt for professional assessment as the qualification and also opt for a longer training period. Conclusion: Vocational training was considered important as a qualification for the specialty of family medicine. The length of training was mostly agreed to be 4 years or less, not the 6 years currently required by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. The vocational training programme for family medicine might require reexamination.published_or_final_versio

The implication of the PRC's WTO membership for the performance and firm-specific competitive advantage of foreign multinationals operating in PRC

9 page(s

Does an externally focused dual-task mitigate real-time conscious postural control in older adults?

202206 bcchNot applicableSelf-fundedPublished12 month

What Hong Kong doctors do when they are ill: a descriptive study

Conference Theme: Many Faces of a Family DoctorThe 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, Hong Kong, 26-27 May 2007

Doctors' personal health care choices: a cross-sectional survey in a mixed public/private setting

The Hong Kong Public Health Forum 2009 cum Inauguration Ceremony of HKU School of Public Health, Hong Kong, 20 September 2009