Antibiotic wastage costs in Hong Kong

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Reason for screening and methods of diagnosing type II diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to assess the reasons for screening and the methods of diagnosing Type II diabetic patients. It was a retrospective analysis of patients attending the Ap Lei Chan Clinic of the General Practice Unit of the University of Hong Kong. Of a total patient population of 3,400, 47 new cases of Type II diabetes mellitus were diagnosed between September 1992 and September 1993. Three quarters of these newty diagnosed diabetic patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Only 4% presented with the classical symptoms of polyuria and/or polydipsia. About one third required oral glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis. Screening of asymptomatic patients is important to identify many of the undiagnosed Type II diabetic patients. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be performed in those whose fasting blood sugar was elevated but not diagnostic of diabetes mellitus.published_or_final_versio

Is men's health another neglected health issue?

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Family doctors' attitudes towards patient self-management of upper respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical attitudes and behaviour of family doctors in Hong Kong towards patient self-management of upper respiratory tract infections, and factors which may influence this practice. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey conducted between February 1999 and April 1999. SETTING: Hong Kong College of Family Physicians. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians. RESULTS: A total of 730 family doctors completed a postal questionnaire on self-management of upper respiratory tract infection, giving an overall response rate of 71.9%. The majority (95.2%) of respondents agreed that patients should be advised on self-management. More than two thirds (69.7%) of respondents also considered patients should be advised on self-medications for upper respiratory tract infection. Nearly two thirds and one third of respondents stated they would advise more than 60% of patients on self-management and self-medication, respectively. A close association was noted between the doctor's view on the usefulness of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection and patient advice regarding self-management and self-medication strategies. CONCLUSION: Doctors with certain characteristics are more likely to advise patients with upper respiratory tract infection on self-management and self-medication for upper respiratory tract infection.published_or_final_versio

My first year as the editor

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How about the 'family' and 'system theory' in family medicine?

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Managing upper respiratory tract infections

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Running short of time

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Are you looking after patients with low literacy level?

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Progress of family medicine in Hong Kong

The article looks at the development of family medicine in Hong Kong, China. Accordingly, the region has the Family Medicine Vocational Training Scheme with over 400 trainees among all specialties in the public system. It says that family physicians in Hong Kong must be able to develop interests which will allow them to give care to their patients. <Ebscohost Connection