Primary care indicators for disease burden, monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 in 31 European countries: Eurodata Study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of patients received ambulatory treatment, highlighting the importance of primary health care (PHC). However, there is limited knowledge regarding PHC workload in Europe during this period. The utilization of COVID-19 PHC indicators could facilitate the efficient monitoring and coordination of the pandemic response. The objective of this study is to describe PHC indicators for disease surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19's impact in Europe. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study employing data obtained through a semi-structured ad hoc questionnaire, which was collectively agreed upon by all participants. The study encompasses PHC settings in 31 European countries from March 2020 to August 2021. Key-informants from each country answered the questionnaire. Main outcome: the identification of any indicator used to describe PHC COVID-19 activity. RESULTS: Out of the 31 countries surveyed, data on PHC information were obtained from 14. The principal indicators were: total number of cases within PHC (Belarus, Cyprus, Italy, Romania and Spain), number of follow-up cases (Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Spain and Turkey), GP's COVID-19 tests referrals (Poland), proportion of COVID-19 cases among respiratory illnesses consultations (Norway and France), sick leaves issued by GPs (Romania and Spain) and examination and complementary tests (Cyprus). All COVID-19 cases were attended in PHC in Belarus and Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic exposes a crucial deficiency in preparedness for infectious diseases in European health systems highlighting the inconsistent recording of indicators within PHC organizations. PHC standardized indicators and public data accessibility are urgently needed, conforming the foundation for an effective European-level health services response framework against future pandemics.

Correction to: "With fever it's the real flu I would say": laypersons' perception of common cold and influenza and their differences - a qualitative study in Austria, Belgium and Croatia.

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"With fever it's the real flu I would say": laypersons' perception of common cold and influenza and their differences - a qualitative study in Austria, Belgium and Croatia.

BACKGROUND: There is little research on laypersons' perceptions regarding common cold and influenza, their symptomatic distinction and considerations of risk. This study investigates understanding of pathogenesis across three European countries and provides a knowledge base from which adequate prevention recommendations and treatment advice can be derived. METHODS: This is a qualitative research study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 85 participants from three European countries (Austria n = 31, Belgium n = 30, Croatia n = 24) about their experiences, perceptions and risk considerations regarding the common cold and influenza. We performed a qualitative thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: common cold as harmless with individualistic symptoms; influenza as mainly distinguishable by fever, confinement to bed and severity of symptoms, but description about onset and duration are diverse; and views on pathogenesis contain references to disease causing agents and circumstances. Overall we found that risk perception is based largely on personal experience and risk is assumed moderate for both diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Study participants possessed a fairly good understanding of symptoms, differences and pathogenesis of common cold and influenza; but explanations integrated misconceptions, such as misinterpretation of fever, disease continuums, diverse onset ideas etc. Perceptions were largely based on lived experiences and interventions for prevention and treatment should be led by health care workers and focus on these issues. Basic consultations, awareness raising activities and other knowledge disseminations strategies should include aspects of communicableness and the self-limiting nature of both diseases. An informed understanding of both infectious diseases is crucial and may also increase influenza vaccination coverage in the three respective countries effectively.

Say it in Croatian--Croatian translation of the EGPRN definition of multimorbidity using a Delphi consensus technique.

Patients coming to their family physician (FP) usually have more than one condition or problem. Multimorbidity as well as dealing with it, is challenging for FPs even as a mere concept. The World Health Organization (WHO) has simply defined multimorbidity as two or more chronic conditions existing in one patient. However, this definition seems inadequate for a holistic approach to patient care within Family Medicine. Using systematic literature review the European General Practitioners Research Network (EGPRN) developed a comprehensive definition of multimorbidity. For practical and wider use, this definition had to be translated into other languages, including Croatian. Here presented is the Croatian translation of this comprehensive definition using a Delphi consensus procedure for forward/backward translation. 23 expert FPs fluent in English were asked to rank the translation from 1 (absolutely disagreeable) to 9 (fully agreeable) and to explain each score under 7. It was previously defined that consensus would be reached when 70% of the scores are above 6. Finally, a backward translation from Croatian into English was undertaken and approved by the authors of the English definition. Consensus was reached after the first Delphi round with 100% of the scores above 6; therefore the Croatian translation was immediately accepted. The authors of the English definition accepted the backward translation. A comprehensive definition of multimorbidity is now available in English and Croatian, as well as other European languages which will surely make further implications for clinicians, researchers or policy makers.

Diverse roles of Primary Health Care in COVID-19 vaccination across 28 European countries - Insights from the Eurodata study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in several European countries involved collaboration between public health and Primary Health Care (PHC). OBJECTIVE: To highlight the role of PHC professionals in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, specifically in terms of vaccine administration, communication and contributing to vaccination population coverage. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign across 28 European countries was conducted, covering data from December 2020 to November 2021. Data were collected by key informants recruited from each country, who were health professionals involved in their national vaccination campaigns. Utilising an ad-hoc semi-structured questionnaire, information was gathered on organisation, communication strategies, priority groups, vaccine types, and vaccination pathways in PHC. RESULTS: PHC participated in communication strategies in 10 out of 28 countries, and vaccination was voluntary in most of them. The priority groups for vaccination varied across Europe, and the availability of vaccines in PHC differed between countries within the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries. The BioNTech Pfizer vaccine was the most widely available vaccine in most countries, followed by Moderna and AstraZeneca. PHC administered COVID-19 vaccines to the population, being the nurses the most involved, followed by general practitioners. Vaccination appointments were available online in 18/28 or by phone in 15/28, direct appointments at health centres were available in 8/28. In several countries, healthcare professionals who administered vaccines were given extra compensation for their role. CONCLUSION: PHC professionals played a crucial role in the successful distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in European countries.

Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals, especially nurses and General Practitioners, played a pivotal role in the effective distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Europe.PHC participated in communication strategies in some countries.Disparities in vaccine availability and prioritisation groups were found across Europe.

The Use of COVID-19 Mobile Apps in Connecting Patients with Primary Healthcare in 30 Countries: Eurodata Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated changes in European healthcare systems, with a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases being managed on an outpatient basis in primary healthcare (PHC). To alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities, many European countries developed contact-tracing apps and symptom checkers to identify potential cases. As the pandemic evolved, the European Union introduced the Digital COVID-19 Certificate for travel, which relies on vaccination, recent recovery, or negative test results. However, the integration between these apps and PHC has not been thoroughly explored in Europe. OBJECTIVE: To describe if governmental COVID-19 apps allowed COVID-19 patients to connect with PHC through their apps in Europe and to examine how the Digital COVID-19 Certificate was obtained. METHODOLOGY: Design and setting: Retrospective descriptive study in PHC in 30 European countries. An ad hoc, semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect country-specific data on primary healthcare activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of information technology tools to support medical care from 15 March 2020 to 31 August 2021. Key informants belong to the WONCA Europe network (World Organization of Family Doctors). The data were collected from relevant and reliable official sources, such as governmental websites and guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient's first contact with health system, governmental COVID-19 app (name and function), Digital COVID-19 Certification, COVID-19 app connection with PHC. RESULTS: Primary care was the first point of care for suspected COVID-19 patients in 28 countries, and 24 countries developed apps to complement classical medical care. The most frequently developed app was for tracing COVID-19 cases (24 countries), followed by the Digital COVID-19 Certificate app (17 countries). Bulgaria, Italy, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Romania had interoperability between PHC and COVID-19 apps, and Poland and Romania's apps considered social needs. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 apps were widely created during the first pandemic year. Contact tracing was the most frequent function found in the registered apps. Connection with PHC was scarcely developed. In future pandemics, connections between health system levels should be guaranteed to develop and implement effective strategies for managing diseases.

Exploring the accessibility of primary health care data in Europe's COVID-19 response: developing key indicators for managing future pandemics (Eurodata study).

BACKGROUND: Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a crucial role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 8% of cases requiring hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 data often goes unnoticed on European government dashboards and in media discussions. This project aims to examine official information on PHC patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, with specific objectives: (1) Describe PHC's clinical pathways for acute COVID-19 cases, including long-term care facilities, (2) Describe PHC COVID-19 pandemic indicators, (3) Develop COVID-19 PHC activity indicators, (4) Explain PHC's role in vaccination strategies, and (5) Create a PHC contingency plan for future pandemics. METHODS: A mixed-method study will employ two online questionnaires to gather retrospective PHC data on COVID-19 management and PHC involvement in vaccination strategies. Validation will occur through focus group discussions with medical and public health (PH) experts. A two-wave Delphi survey will establish a European PHC indicators dashboard for future pandemics. Additionally, a coordinated health system action plan involving PHC, secondary care, and PH will be devised to address future pandemic scenarios. ANALYSIS: Quantitative data will be analysed using STATA v16.0 for descriptive and multivariate analyses. Qualitative data will be collected through peer-reviewed questionnaires and content analysis of focus group discussions. A Delphi survey and multiple focus groups will be employed to achieve consensus on PHC indicators and a common European health system response plan for future pandemics. The Eurodata research group involving researchers from 28 European countries support the development. DISCUSSION: While PHC manages most COVID-19 acute cases, data remains limited in many European countries. This study collects data from numerous countries, offering a comprehensive perspective on PHC's role during the pandemic in Europe. It pioneers the development of a PHC dashboard and health system plan for pandemics in Europe. These results may prove invaluable in future pandemics. However, data may have biases due to key informants' involvement and may not fully represent all European GP practices. PHC has a significant role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of the cases are mild or moderate and only 8% needed hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 activity data is invisible on governments' daily dashboards in Europe, often overlooked in media and public debates.

The role of primary health care in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in 30 European countries: a retrospective descriptive study (Eurodata study).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Primary health care (PHC) supported long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in attending COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study is to describe the role of PHC in LTCFs in Europe during the early phase of the pandemic. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study from 30 European countries using data from September 2020 collected with an ad hoc semi-structured questionnaire. Related variables are SARS-CoV-2 testing, contact tracing, follow-up, additional testing, and patient care. RESULTS: Twenty-six out of the 30 European countries had PHC involvement in LTCFs during the COVID-19 pandemic. PHC participated in initial medical care in 22 countries, while, in 15, PHC was responsible for SARS-CoV-2 test along with other institutions. Supervision of individuals in isolation was carried out mostly by LTCF staff, but physical examination or symptom's follow-up was performed mainly by PHC. CONCLUSION: PHC has participated in COVID-19 pandemic assistance in LTCFs in coordination with LTCF staff, public health officers, and hospitals.

Clinical pathway of COVID-19 patients in primary health care in 30 European countries: Eurodata study.

BACKGROUND: Most COVID-19 patients were treated in primary health care (PHC) in Europe. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the scope of PHC workflow during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasising similarities and differences of patient's clinical pathways in Europe. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with data acquired through a semi-structured questionnaire in PHC in 30 European countries, created ad hoc and agreed upon among all researchers who participated in the study. GPs from each country answered the approved questionnaire. Main variable: PHC COVID-19 acute clinical pathway. All variables were collected from each country as of September 2020. RESULTS: COVID-19 clinics in PHC facilities were organised in 8/30. Case detection and testing were performed in PHC in 27/30 countries. RT-PCR and lateral flow tests were performed in PHC in 23/30, free of charge with a medical prescription. Contact tracing was performed mainly by public health authorities. Mandatory isolation ranged from 5 to 14 days. Sick leave certification was given exclusively by GPs in 21/30 countries. Patient hotels or other resources to isolate patients were available in 12/30. Follow-up to monitor the symptoms and/or new complementary tests was made mainly by phone call (27/30). Chest X-ray and phlebotomy were performed in PHC in 18/30 and 23/30 countries, respectively. Oxygen and low-molecular-weight heparin were available in PHC (21/30). CONCLUSION: In Europe PHC participated in many steps to diagnose, treat and monitor COVID-19 patients. Differences among countries might be addressed at European level for the management of future pandemics.

Illness perception and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: cross-sectional questionnaire study.

AIM. To investigate illness perception in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with the degree of control over relevant cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed from June 2007 to March 2008. A stratified random sample of 46 Croatian general practitioners was asked to select, using systematic sampling, the first 6 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged > or =18 years who visited them for consultation during the study period. Data on 250 patients included patient illness perception assessment (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, IPQ), cardiovascular risk factors, and socio-demographic data. RESULTS. The patients' mean age was 63.0+/-10.9 years and mean duration of diabetes was 9.3+/-7.8 years. The patients' illness perception assessment on an 11-point (0 to 10) scale showed the highest median scores (interquartile range): 10 (8 to 10) for "timeline" and 8 (7 to 9) for "treatment control," followed by 7 (5 to 8) for "personal control," 7 (5 to 9) for "understanding," 5 (3 to 7) for "consequences," 6 (4 to 7) for "concern," and 5 (2 to 7) for "emotional response." The lowest score was 3 (1 to 5) for "identity." Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Brief IPQ item "concern" (P<0.001) was a significant predictor of body mass index; "personal control" (P<0.001) and "concern" (P=0.048) were significant predictors of fasting blood glucose; "treatment control" (P=0.009) was a significant predictor of total cholesterol; and "understanding" (P=0.010) was a significant predictor of blood pressure. CONCLUSION. As patients' beliefs seem to be associated with the degree of control over cardiovascular risk factors, they should be included in routine clinical assessments.

[Health locus of control assessment in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients]. / Procjena zdravstvenog lokusa kontrole bolesnika sa secernom bolescu tip 2.

UNLABELLED: Health locus of control (LOC) refers to the person beliefs who or what has control over his/her health. A person's LOC orientation is one of several factors that determine which health-related behaviors a person will perform. AIM: To explore LOC of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) patients, also in relation to patient' socio-demographic characteristics (sex, education, working status, and family status), context (place of birth, experience with chronic diseases in family, economic status), social support and quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 77 DMT2 patients in two family medicine practices. Patients filled out two questionnaires: on patient general data and ZLK-90-2 questionnaire. Statistic analysis was done using Statistica, version 7.1 software, and values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The patient mean age was 63.4 years +/- 13.1 (M +/- SD), and mean duration of diabetes 10.3 +/- 8.2 years (M +/- SD). The belief ininternal LOC was most common in study patients, followed by the belief in health dependence on circumstances, influence of chance, destiny or God, and finally influence of powerful others. Highly educated patients had a statistically significantly less expressed internal LOC and belief in the influence of chance, destiny or God. The patients that underestimated their quality of life, showed a statistically significantly lower rate of belief in health dependence on circumstances. DISCUSSION: In spite of the small sample size and unfavorable patient distribution according to age, work status, disease duration and education, results of this and other studies on LOC, forcing LOC orientation regarding self-treatment and self-control of DMT2 patients could be of high importance, with the assumption of good internal responsibility and belief in help of other important people. CONCLUSION: Understanding LOC of DMT2 patients is essential for developing more efficient educative and intervention medical programs for care of these patients, since it could help in making the right access to care for every single patient or group of patients that have the same LOC.

[Referring process in family medicine--contribution assessment]. / Upucivanje iz ordinacije obiteljskog lijecnika--procjena doprinosa.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to follow and analyze patient referrals from general practice (GP) to diagnostic procedures and specialist consultations. Data on the kinds of diagnostic procedures, specialist consultations and requests for referrals were collected. Specific aim was to assess the contribution of referring for definitive diagnosis and to compare the frequency and contribution of first and repeat consultations. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the course of one month at six GP practices (three urban and one rural practice in inland area, and one urban and one rural practice in coastal area of Croatia). Patient sociodemographic data (age and sex), referral request (by patient, GP, GP and specialist in agreement, specialist only) and kind of visit (first, follow-up) were collected. The contribution of referrals was assessed by GPs using modified Likert's scale (1-markedly significant, 2-significant, 3-undetermined, 4-small and 5-insignificant). On comparison of frequencies chi square test was used. Statistical analyses were done by use of licensed software (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: During one month, 1815 patients were referred, 979 for diagnostic procedures and 836 for specialist consultation (mean age 55.25 +/- 19.70; male 56.30 +/- 19.10, female 54.50 +/- 20.30). Most frequent diagnostic procedures requested were biochemical laboratory in primary health care setting (n = 331; 33.41%) and secondary care (n =1 18; 12.05%), basic radiology (n=106; 10.83%), ultrasonography (n=87; 8.80%) and microbiological laboratory (n = 68; 6.95%). The contribution of diagnostic procedures was mostly assessed as significant (54.84%). When GP and specialist indicated diagnostic procedure concordantly, its contribution was mostly assessed as significant (61.90%) and markedly significant (10.12%). Specialist consultations were used as follows: physical medicine in 131 (19%), surgeon in 90 (13%) and psychiatrist in 69 (10%) patients from inland area, cardiologist in 53 (37%), psychiatrist in 17 (12%) and oncologist in 12 (8%) patients from coastal area. Both in rural and urban practices in inland and coastal area surgeon consultations were assessed as markedly significant. Urban GPs assessed the contribution of first and follow-up check ups as undetermined or small more often than rural GPs (first check ups Xchi =21.66; P<0.0001; follow-up check ups chi2 = 196.38; P < 0.0001). Rural GPs assessed the contribution of first check ups more often as undetermined or small than significant (chi2 = 12.02; P = 0.0005), with the same tendency recorded for follow-up check ups (Xchi =32.01; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: GP should maintain the gatekeeping role to assure good quality of care and rationality in using available resources. Cooperation between GPs and specialists is essential to achieve good quality of care. GPs should restore role in indicating follow-up check ups.

Laypersons' perception of common cold and influenza prevention-a qualitative study in Austria, Belgium and Croatia.

Background: Common cold and influenza result in an increased number of primary care consultations, significant work/school absences and cause a socio-economic burden. Laypeople's perceptions and knowledge regarding common cold and influenza prevention is poorly understood and under-researched.Objectives: Our study explores laypeople's knowledge of prevention of common cold and influenza across three European countries. Furthermore, it investigates if there is any distinction between prevention activities focussing on reasons impacting the attitude towards influenza vaccination as well as investigating cross-country variation.Methods: In total, 85 semi-structured individual interviews were performed across three European countries (Austria n = 31, Belgium n = 30, Croatia n = 24). Qualitative thematic content analysis was performed.Results: Most participants across all three countries made no distinction between the prevention of the common cold and influenza and referenced the same preventative measures for both conditions. They mainly expressed negative attitudes towards influenza vaccination possibly effective but only intended for high-risk groups (bedridden/older people, chronic patients or health workers). There were very few cross-country differences in results.Conclusion: The perception of health risk of contracting influenza and a primary healthcare physicians' recommendation played an important role in shaping participants' decisions towards vaccination. Primary healthcare physicians are invited to assess and if necessary adjust inappropriate prevention behaviour through their everyday patient consultations as well as add to the knowledge about influenza severity and influenza vaccination benefits to their patients.

Information systems and the electronic health record in primary health care.

The implementation of information systems into primary health care opened the possibilities of providing integrated and co-ordinated health care, improved in quality and focused on the healthcare user. The healthcare system, researchers, physicians, and patients have recognised the benefits offered by informatics, but also raised questions that have yet to be answered.

[Quality of life assessment of the male with benign prostate hypertrophy]. / Procjena kvalitete zivota muskaraca s benignom hiperplazijom prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is prostate enlargement caused by the proliferation of the glandular, fibrous and muscular parenchyma of periurethral formations. BPH is a histological diagnosis with clinical manifestation of the lower urinary system symptoms. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the patients' quality of life and to identify BPH symptoms that do and do not influence the patients' quality of life. Assessment was made by use of IPSS questionnaire (International Prostate Symptom Score) and patients' own assessment. METHOD: A prospective study of the BPH patients' quality of life was conducted at 5 family medicine practices. Statistical analysis was performed by use of SPSS software. RESULTS: Data analysis showed the mean patient age to be 65.4 +/- 7.1 (X +/- SD) years. Medicamentous therapy was used in 86 and surgical therapy in 14 patients. The mean symptom duration was 8 +/- 4.3 (X +/- SD) years. Considering correlation of the quality of life with particular disease symptoms, results of this study showed only some BPH symptoms to influence the quality of life. The feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, weak urine stream and nocturnal frequency symptoms showed a statistically significant correlation with quality of life. Symptom score showed a statistically significant correlation with patients' quality of life assessment, i. e. the lower the quality of life assessment, the higher the symptom score. DISCUSSION: The influence of only some disease symptoms on the patients' quality of life observed in this study could be explained by the small sample size, unfavorable distribution according to symptom presence, and treatment effects. CONCLUSION: Most of our BPH patients had mild symptoms, however, in some patients symptoms were rather pronounced, requiring medicamentous or even surgical treatment. This prospective study included 100 patients from 5 family medicine practices, who filled out the IPSS questionnaire. Data analysis showed the mean patient age to be 65.4 years and mean duration of disease symptoms 8 years. Statistical analysis yielded no statistically significant difference in symptom duration among patients with mild, moderate and severe BPH symptoms. Considering correlation of the quality of life with particular disease symptoms, study results showed only some BPH symptoms to influence the quality of life. The feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, two urination intervals of less than 2 hours, weak urine stream and nocturnal urination frequency showed a statistically significant correlation with quality of life. The patients with mild BPH symptoms assessed their quality of life better than patients reporting moderate or even severe BPH symptoms. As BPH symptoms are significantly present in the male population over age 50, general/family practitioners should take in consideration the diagnosis of BPH, because this condition influences the quality of life as well sexual function in this male population age group.

[Specialization in family medicine--has all the planned been achieved?]. / Specijalizacija iz obiteljske medicine--je li ostvareno ono sto je planirano?

The planned, comprehensive inclusion of general practitioners/family physicians in specialist education has begun with the project entitled Harmonization of Family Medicine Service with European Standards by the Implementation of Compulsory Residency. According to the Project, all physicians working in family medicine practice should have an opportunity to complete the respective residency by 2015. Analysis of the planned and completed family medicine residency in Croatia during the 2002-2006 period is presented. Of the total family medicine residency positions planned during the four-year period, 543 (90.5%) have been completed, with the greatest discrepancy recorded in program A applying to physicians younger than 35 having concluded a contract with the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance. In addition, this relationship varied among different countries. There are a number of obstacles hindering the Project implementation. However, it should be noted that the Project has made a breakthrough in upgrading the quality of family medicine practice, as a pledge of future development and rational performance of the entire health care system in Croatia, in order to promote the health care of the population at large.

Perceived needs for attaining a 'new normality' after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients' experience.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of patients' myocardial infarction (MI) experiences may help to guide these patients and their relatives through the many uncertainties they face and help them to stabilize their lives after the disruption they experienced. OBJECTIVES: To explore MI patients' experiences of life with MI, the challenges they face during the process of accepting their condition, and the setting and resetting of their personal goals. METHODS: Thirty semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted. The grounded theory method was used, and Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software was used to facilitate the analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes and explanatory models emerged from the data analysis: a good adaptation - the 'new normality;' maladjustment - a continuous search for a 'new normality;' and perceived needs in the search for a new normality. Patients perceived several areas of need that they felt must be met before they could reach the state of a new normality. These needs included overcoming the anxiety of a possible MI recurrence; acquiring knowledge about MI in general and about 'my MI' in particular; the need for a timeline; for patience and steadiness; for both objective and subjective health status improvement; for taking control over the disease; and living within a supportive context. CONCLUSION: When faced with a dramatic life event, most patients succeed in achieving a new normality in which they live changed but still satisfying lives. The needs experienced by patients when searching for a new normality may guide practitioners in leading patient-centred consultations. [Box: see text].

[Comparison of local acetylcysteine and artificial tears in the management of dry eye syndrome]. / Usporedba djelovanja lokalno apliciranog acetilcisteina i umjetnih suza u lijecenju suhog oka.

Dry eye syndrome is a common clinical entity causing difficulties to many people, especially the elderly. Standard substitution therapy with artificial tears may frequently prove inadequate, thus any new treatment modality is highly welcome. The syndrome implies lacrimal hyperosmolality, which in turn results in mucus accumulation in the conjunctival sac causing additional irritation. Locally applied acetylcysteine, a mucolytic, regulates mucus secretion and reduces mucus accumulation. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of artificial tear therapy and therapy with local acetylcysteine. The study included 32 patients with the symptoms and signs of dry eye attending our department between March 20 and May 9, 2003. All study patients were on long-term substitution therapy with artificial tears. Upon evaluation of subjective discomforts and objective signs, the patients were switched from artificial tear therapy (Isopto-Tears, Alcon, with polyvinyl alcohol as active ingredient) to therapy with locally applied acetylcysteine (Brunac, Bruschettini). All parameters were re-evaluated at 2-week control visit. Thirty of 32 patients (94%) completed the study with control visit. Of these, 18 (60%) patients reported reduction of subjective discomforts, ten (33%) patients observed no change, and two (7%) patients experienced more discomforts with acetylcysteine than with artificial tear therapy. On objective sign evaluation, 12 (40%) patients showed less discomforts, unchanged condition was recorded in 13 (43%) patients, and five (17%) patients had more discomforts as compared with artificial tear therapy. A statistically significant difference (p=0.05) between artificial tear therapy and acetylcysteine therapy was found for the subjective symptom score but not for the objective sign score. Therapy with acetylcysteine proved more efficient than artificial tears in reducing subjective symptoms but had no effect on the objective signs of dry eye syndrome. The advantages of acetylcysteine include more convenient instillation timing (4 times daily) and reduced nocturnal discomfort, whereas shortcomings are the sense of burning on instillation, bad odor, and as yet relatively high price on the Croatian market.

Facing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Patient experience is increasingly recognized as one of the three pillars of quality in health care, alongside clinical effectiveness and patient safety. However, little attention has been paid to the patients' experience from the point of view of health care delivery. OBJECTIVE: To explore the initial experience of patients facing a new diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Thirty semi-structured, individual interviews were performed. The Grounded Theory method was used. Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software facilitated the analysis. RESULTS: Three patterns of MI diagnosis experience were found: a close encounter with death, severe pain, and 'silent' MI. Newly-diagnosed MI patients who experienced a close encounter with death expected that, after necessary life-saving measures, their physician would not force immediate conversation, but leave them alone, simply to take pleasure in being alive. Newly-diagnosed MI patients who did not experience a close encounter with death expected that their physician would provide not only medical care but also immediate emotional support and opportunities to discuss in their own words their ideas, thoughts, concerns and fears. Six factors facilitated patients coping with a new diagnosis of MI: stay in hospital, completion of diagnostic tests, trust in physicians, the patient's previous expectation that he/she could have a heart attack, the patient's personality, and the need for solitude. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be aware that different patterns of patient experience when facing MI could indicate patients' differing needs for immediate emotional support and communication.