Simplified routines in prescribing physical activity can increase the amount of prescriptions by doctors, more than economic incentives only: an observational intervention study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical inactivity is one well-known risk factor related to disease. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) has been shown in some studies to be a successful intervention for increasing physical activity among patients with a sedentary lifestyle. The method involves motivational counselling that can be time-consuming for the prescribing doctor and might be a reason why physical activity on prescription is not used more frequently. This study might show a way to make the method of prescribing physical activity more user-friendly. The purpose is to determine whether a change in procedures increases the use of physical activity on prescription, and thus the aim of this study is to describe the methodology used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The observational intervention study included an intervention group consisting of one Primary Health Care (PHC) clinic and a control group consisting of six PHC clinics serving 149,400 inhabitants in the County of Blekinge, Sweden.</p> <p>An economic incentive was introduced in both groups when prescribing physical activity on prescription. In the intervention group, a change was made to the process of prescribing physical activity, together with information and guidance to the personnel working at the clinics. Physical therapists were used in the process of carrying out the prescription, conducting the motivational interview and counselling the patient. This methodology was used to minimise the workload of the physician. The chi-2 test was used for studying differences between the two groups. PAP prescribed by doctors increased eightfold in the intervention group compared to the control group. The greatest increase of PAP was seen among physicians in the intervention group as compared to all other professionals in the control group. The economic incentive gave a significant but smaller increase of PAP by doctors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>By simplifying and developing PAP, this study has shown a concrete way to increase the implementation of physical activity on prescription in general practice, as opposed to what can be gained by an economic bonus system alone. This study indicates that a bonus system may not be enough to implement an evidence-based method.</p

Effect of interventions to reduce potentially inappropriate use of drugs in nursing homes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Background Studies have shown that residents in nursing homes often are exposed to inappropriate medication. Particular concern has been raised about the consumption of psychoactive drugs, which are commonly prescribed for nursing home residents suffering from dementia. This review is an update of a Norwegian systematic review commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. The purpose of the review was to identify and summarise the effect of interventions aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate use or prescribing of drugs in nursing homes. Methods We searched for systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, DARE and HTA, with the last update in April 2010. Two of the authors independently screened titles and abstracts for inclusion or exclusion. Data on interventions, participants, comparison intervention, and outcomes were extracted from the included studies. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Table and GRADE, respectively. Outcomes assessed were use of or prescribing of drugs (primary) and the health-related outcomes falls, physical limitation, hospitalisation and mortality (secondary). Results Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, we employed a narrative approach. Twenty randomised controlled trials were included from 1631 evaluated references. Ten studies tested different kinds of educational interventions while seven studies tested medication reviews by pharmacists. Only one study was found for each of the interventions geriatric care teams, early psychiatric intervening or activities for the residents combined with education of health care personnel. Several reviews were identified, but these either concerned elderly in general or did not satisfy all the requirements for systematic reviews. Conclusions Interventions using educational outreach, on-site education given alone or as part of an intervention package and pharmacist medication review may under certain circumstances reduce inappropriate drug use, but the evidence is of low quality. Due to poor quality of the evidence, no conclusions may be drawn about the effect of the other three interventions on drug use, or of either intervention on health-related outcomes

Meta-analysis of two randomized controlled trials to identify long-term symptoms after division of the short gastric vessels during Nissen fundoplication

BackgroundRandomized trials suggest that division of the short gastric vessels during Nissen fundoplication is unnecessary. Some trials report an increased risk of gas bloat symptoms following division of the short gastric vessels. In this study long-term follow-up data from the two largest randomized clinical trials of division versus no division of the short gastric vessels during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication were combined to determine whether there were differences in late outcome.MethodsPatients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who underwent primary laparoscopic antireflux surgery and were included in two previously reported randomized trials were studied. Of 99 patients enrolled in the Swedish study and 102 in the Australian study, the short gastric vessels were divided in 104 and left intact in 97. Data sets were combined and late clinical outcomes analysed.ResultsAt 10-12 years' follow-up (mean 11.5 years) clinical data were obtained from 170 patients (86 with vessels divided, 84 undivided). Statistical analysis of the combined data set showed no significant differences in symptoms of heartburn or dysphagia, ability to belch or vomit, and use of antisecretory medications. Division of the short gastric vessels was associated with a higher rate of bloating symptoms (72 versus 48 per cent; P = 0.002).ConclusionDivision of the short gastric vessels is followed by a slightly poorer clinical outcome at late follow-up after Nissen fundoplication. Surgeons should avoid dividing these vessels when undertaking a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.C. Engström, G. G. Jamieson, P. G. Devitt, D. I. Watso

Twenty years of experience with laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Background: There are few reports of large patient cohorts with long-term follow-up after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in surgical practice and outcomes for laparoscopic antireflux surgery over a 20-year period. Methods: A standardized questionnaire, prospectively applied annually, was used to determine outcome for all patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication in two centres since commencing this procedure in 1991. Visual analogue scales ranging from 0 to 10 were used to assess symptoms of heartburn, dysphagia and satisfaction with overall outcome. Data were analysed to determine outcome across 20 years. Results: From 1991 to 2010, 2261 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication at the authors’ institutions. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 (mean 7•6) years. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 73 operations (3.2 per cent). Revisional surgery was performed in 216 patients (9•6 per cent), within 12 months of the original operation in 116. There was a shift from Nissen to partial fundoplication across 20 years, and a recent decline in operations for reflux, offset by an increase in surgery for large hiatus hernia. Dysphagia and satisfaction scores were stable, and heartburn scores rose slightly across 15 years of follow-up. Heartburn scores were slightly higher and reoperation for reflux was more common after anterior partial fundoplication (P = 0•005), whereas dysphagia scores were lower and reoperation for dysphagia was less common (P < 0•001). At 10 years, satisfaction with outcome was similar for all fundoplication types. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Nissen and partial fundoplications proved to be durable and achieved good long-term outcomes. At earlier follow-up, dysphagia was less common but reflux more common after anterior partial fundoplication, although differences had largely disappeared by 10 years.C. Engström, W. Cai, T. Irvine, P. G. Devitt, S. K. Thompson, P. A. Game, J. R. Bessell, G. G. Jamieson, D. I. Watso

Comparative analysis of general dental practitioners' fees and scheduled fees for root canal treatment and coronal restorations in the adult population of Sweden : a five-year follow-up of data from the Swedish Dental Register.

AIM: To investigate the fees charged by Swedish dentists for root fillings, coronal restorations and further dental interventions during a follow-up period of 5-6 years. METHODOLOGY: A total of 248,299 root fillings were linked with the tooth, the patient and the provider and entered into the Swedish Social Insurance Agency register in 2009. The data register also recorded the subsidy-based (scheduled) fee and the fee actually charged for the root fillings. Fees charged for direct or indirect coronal restorations and additional interventions during the follow-up period were also recorded. One-way ANOVA and T-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean overall fee charged for a root filling was approximately 332 Euro and differed only marginally (13 Euro) from the scheduled fee. The total mean fee for preservation of a root filled tooth was 717 Euro, which included the root canal treatment, the coronal restoration and any additional interventions during the follow-up period. The fees for indirectly restored root filled teeth were significantly higher (1,105 Euro) than for directly restored teeth (610 Euro), despite further additional treatment (P< 0.001). The mean fee for teeth which were subsequently extracted was higher (769 Euro) than for the retained teeth (711 Euro) (P< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fees charged by Swedish dentists for root canal treatment were in accordance with the scheduled fees. The overall mean fee was significantly higher for root filled teeth with indirect restorations than for teeth with direct coronal restorations. However, prospective clinical cost-effectiveness studies are needed to analyse the total costs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved