Can family physicians accurately screen for AAA with point-of-care ultrasound?

Likely yes. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by nonradiologist physicians is 98% sensitive and 99% specific, compared with imaging performed by radiologists (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies mostly involving emergency medicine physicians). European family physicians demonstrated 100% concordance with radiologist readings (SOR: C, very small subsequent diagnostic accuracy studies).

Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction by Urologists Versus Non-Urologists in the United States: An Analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent to which erectile dysfunction (ED) is managed by urologists versus non-urologists. We sought to characterize the epidemiology, diagnosis, and outpatient treatment of ED using a nationally representative cohort. METHODS: We examined all male patient visits between 2006 and 2016 in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a survey designed to provide a nationally representative estimate of ambulatory visits in the United States. Distribution of ED diagnoses among physician specialties was determined. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of men with ED seeing urologists versus non-urologists were compared using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Among the 170,499 patient visits analyzed, 1.2% were associated with a diagnosis of ED, which translated into 3,409,244 weighted visits annually. Visits for ED were predominantly seen by urologists (58.0%) and family practitioners (26.2%). Men visiting non-urologists for ED were more likely to be younger than 65 (77.4% vs 52.9%, P < .05). Men seeing urologists for ED more frequently had an active cancer diagnosis (24.2% vs 2.8%, P < .05). Non-urologists more readily ordered or reordered phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for men with ED (66.62% vs 50.77%, P < .05). Advanced therapies such as intracavernosal injections and intra-urethral agents were almost exclusively ordered by urologists compared to non-urologists (2.72% vs 0.25%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Almost half of all ED visits were seen by non-urologist providers, who were much less likely than urologists to order advanced pharmacologic therapies. This difference in prescribing patterns presents an opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration and education to ensure that all patients seeking treatment for ED are receiving guideline-based care.

Endoscopist Specialty Predicts the Likelihood of Recommending Cessation of Colorectal Cancer Screening in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Although the 2008 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend against routine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for adults aged 76-85, it is unclear what endoscopists recommend in practice. Our goal was to examine current practice around cessation of CRC screening in older adults. METHODS: We included normal screening colonoscopy exams in adults ≥ 50 years old within the New Hampshire Colonoscopy Registry between 2009 and 2014. The primary outcome was endoscopists' recommendation against further screening. The main exposure variables included patient age, family history of CRC, and endoscopist characteristics. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Of 13,364 normal screening colonoscopy exams, 2914 (21.8%) were in adults aged ≥ 65 and were performed by 74 endoscopists. Nearly 100% of adults aged 65-69 undergoing screening colonoscopy were given the recommendation to return for screening colonoscopy in the future. Only 15% of average-risk patients aged 70-74 were told to stop receiving screening, while 85% were told to return at a future interval, most frequently in 10 years when they would be 80-84. In the multivariable model, advancing patient age and the absence of family history of CRC were significantly associated with a recommendation to stop colonoscopy. Gastroenterologists were more likely to recommend stopping colonoscopy in accordance with guidelines than other non-gastroenterology endoscopists (adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.3 (1.6-3.4)). CONCLUSIONS: In a large statewide colonoscopy registry, the majority of older adults are told to return for future screening colonoscopy. Having a family history of CRC or a non-gastroenterology endoscopist increases the likelihood of being told to return for screening at advanced ages.

Skills, Practice Patterns, and Knowledge of Canadian Family Physician Endoscopists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Canada, few family physicians (FPs) perform endoscopy. Conflicting evidence exists on the quality of endoscopy performed by Canadian FPs, which may be explained by differing skillsets of these endoscopists. The objective of this study was to perform the first exploration of the practice, skills, and knowledge of Canadian FP endoscopists. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, including direct knowledge test, was used. RESULTS: Twenty Canadian FP endoscopists completed the survey. Ninety-five percent practice outside urban centres, all perform gastroscopies, and 85% perform colonoscopies and polypectomies. These endoscopists are performing about 32 procedures per month. They are using split bowel preparations, performing rectal retroflexion, and tattooing advanced lesions, all characteristics of a quality endoscopist or program. Self-identified knowledge gaps identified included caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease and staging rectal cancer. Direct testing found gaps in describing Barrett's esophagitis and managing anticoagulated patients who require endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian FP endoscopists appear to be providing quality endoscopic exams and should be supported and encouraged to continue to provide care of rural Canadian patients with gastrointestinal concerns. Future training and continuing education events aimed at this group of endoscopists should target identified knowledge gaps.

Needs of cancer patients in palliative care during medical visits: Qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the needs of cancer patients in palliative care and to determine how care providers, including family physicians, could meet these needs more fully. DESIGN: Qualitative study performed using semistructured interviews. SETTING: Palliative care departments (ambulatory and intrahospital). PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients with a diagnosis of cancer deemed to be in the palliative phase, who had already received either chemotherapy or radiation treatment. METHODS: The interviews were recorded and transcribed. They were then coded and categorized to identify and define themes describing the participants' experience. Data were collected until new interviews no longer yielded new categories of results. MAIN FINDINGS: Study participants primarily needed the expertise of their physicians, but they also needed reassurance by means of clear information about their disease, its treatment, and the prognosis delivered over the course of patient-physician visits, and by means of various measures that could act as safety nets. Participants needed to be heard without being judged. In terms of follow-up care, the oncology nurse navigator was just as important as the physician and could stand in for him or her to meet most relational needs and share and explain information on the disease. CONCLUSION: Non-family physician specialists cannot meet all of the patients' complex needs; throughout the palliative phase, non-family physician specialists need the support of a family physician and an oncology nurse navigator. Each care provider must be made aware of the patient's needs and ensure that they are met, to the best of his or her ability. Failing to do so might exacerbate the loneliness and anxiety experienced by terminally ill patients.

Diagnostic performance of retinal digital photography for diabetic retinopathy screening in primary care.

Introduction: We must study alternatives to structure an effective diabetic retinopathy screening program for Brazilian public health system. Objectives: Evaluate the diagnostic performance of retinal digital photography for diabetic retinopathy screening in primary care, accuracy of the family physician in diabetic retinopathy identification compared to the ophthalmologist, and the need for dilation. Methodology: In a primary care service were performed retinal photographs with non-mydriatic Retinal Camera in 219 type 2 diabetic patients with and without medication mydriasis. We evaluated the performance of the diagnostic of the photos graded by three family physicians with training compared to two ophthalmologists (gold standard), and explore related factors with the need for mydriasis pharmacologically. Results: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 19.2% and 1.5%, respectively. The sensitivity of family physicians to evaluate diabetic retinopathy averaged 82.9% (66.7-94.8%); specificity, 92% (90.2-93.3%); the accuracy, 90.3% (88.2-93%) and positive predictive value, 71.2% (68-75.5%). The agreement calculated using the kappa adjusted coefficient was from 0.74 to 0.8 for retinopathy and 0.88 to 0.92 for macular edema. Without drug mydriasis the photos were unreadable by 14.8%, when using mydriatic collyrium this number decreased to 8.7% (McNemar test, P < 0.005). Patients with more than 65 years old has more readability after drug mydriasis (McNemar test, P = 0.011). Conclusion: Trained family physician reached a good performance for evaluation of retinography for diabetic retinopathy. There was improvement in readability with pupil dilation in older patients.

Saúde Mental em Medicina Geral Familiar - obstáculos e expectativas percecionados pelos Médicos de Família / Mental Health in General Family Medicine - obstacles and expectations perceived by Family Physicians

Resumo Pretende-se conhecer as dificuldades sentidas pelos médicos de família (MF) na abordagem dos doentes com transtornos mentais (TM) e conhecer as suas propostas para melhorar os cuidados os cuidados de saúde mental (CSM). Estudo qualitativo. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas e audio-gravadas a 10 MF. Com análise de conteúdo identificaram-se oito categorias temáticas: condições de trabalho percecionadas; formação em saúde; terapêuticas usadas para tratamento dos TM; instrumentos de saúde mental usados na consulta; TM abordados na atenção primária (AP) e referenciadas a cuidados hospitalares; reação do doente à referenciação; articulação da atenção primária com a psiquiatria; propostas para melhorar os CSM na AP. A articulação com os serviços de saúde mental é deficiente pela falta de acessibilidade, comunicação unidirecional e atraso na resposta. Para melhorar os MF propõem criação de consultorias; equipes multidisciplinares; plataformas que permitam a comunicação bidirecional; aprendizagem contínua com a discussão de casos. O MF presta CSM, o que exige trabalho em equipe, com elementos da comunidade e dos hospitais. Os serviços devem organizar-se como sistemas aprendentes que permitam a progressiva melhoria dos profissionais e o aperfeiçoamento das interfaces entre os mesmos.

Abstract This study seeks to understand the difficulties experienced by family physicians (FP) in the management of mental disorders (MD) and their proposals to improve the quality of care. It is qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with ten family physicians. These were recorded, transcribed and their content analyzed. Eight thematic categories were identified: perceived working conditions and available resources; perceived level of training in mental health; therapies used for treatment of MD; mental health instruments used in consultation; MD addressed in Primary Health Care (PHC) and referral to hospitals; patient's reaction to referral; articulation of PHC with hospitals; proposals to improve mental health care in PHC. Articulation with the Mental Health Services suffers from lack of accessibility, one-way communication and delayed response. The FP propose creation of consultancies; multidisciplinary teams in the community; creating a two-way communication platform; continuous learning through discussion of cases. The FP have responsibilities in providing MHC. This requires working in a multidisciplinary team. Services should be organized to function as a learning system that allows the progressive improvement of the professionals and the improvement of the interfaces between them.

Follow-up after treatment for breast cancer: Practical guide to survivorship care for family physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To offer FPs a summary of evidence-based recommendations to guide their follow-up survivorship care of women treated for breast cancer. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE from 2000 to 2016 using the search words breast cancer, survivorship, follow-up care, aftercare, guidelines, and survivorship care plans, with a focus on review of recent guidelines published by national cancer organizations. Evidence ranges from level I to level III. MAIN MESSAGE: Survivorship care involves 4 main tasks: surveillance and screening, management of long-term effects, health promotion, and care coordination. Surveillance for recurrence involves only annual mammography, and screening for other cancers should be done according to population guidelines. Management of the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment addresses common issues of pain, fatigue, lymphedema, distress, and medication side effects, as well as longer-term concerns for cardiac and bone health. Health promotion emphasizes the benefits of active lifestyle change in cancer survivors, with an emphasis on physical activity. Survivorship care is enhanced by the involvement of various health professionals and services, and FPs play an important role in care coordination. CONCLUSION: Family physicians are increasingly the main providers of follow-up care after breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer should be viewed as a chronic medical condition even in women who remain disease free, and patients benefit from the approach afforded other chronic conditions in primary care.

Awareness and daily practices of family physicians and trainees towards laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a type of reflux, seen with complaints of hoarseness, chronic cough, and globus sensation, different from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and practices of family physicians and trainees who were being trained in medical branches other than ENT and to determine the effective factors on decision making for diagnosis of this disorder. The study was designed as a two-stage study. At the first stage, a data collection tool, involving 29 questions by which the knowledge, awareness, and applications of the physicians about LPR would be determined, was developed with 12 specialists, using Delphi method. At the second stage, 101 family physicians replied the questionnaire online. For 45 trainees other than ENT, the questionnaire was filled face-to-face by one of the investigators. In patients admitted with complaints of hoarseness, lasting longer than 2 weeks, cough, lasting longer than 3 weeks, and globus sensation, the physicians considered LPR as the preliminary diagnosis with rates of 88.4, 82.2, and 62.8 %, respectively. 87.0 % of physicians, participating in the study, started treatment for reflux empirically in patients having complaints of hoarseness, chronic cough, and globus sensation; however, only 29.0 % of physicians prescribed this treatment for periods of 3 or 6 months. 69.9 % of physicians, participating in the study, made a diagnosis of reflux in general during their daily practices; only 6.9 % made the discrimination between LPR and GERD. Of all physicians, 27.9 % prescribed double-dose PPI or H2.

A population-based study evaluating family physicians' HIV experience and care of people living with HIV in Ontario.

PURPOSE: Greater physician experience managing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with better HIV-specific outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the HIV experience of a family physician modifies the association between the model of care delivery and the quality of care for people living with HIV. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from a population-based observational study conducted between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2012. A total of 13,417 patients with HIV in Ontario were stratified into 5 possible patterns or models of care. We used multivariable hierarchical logistic regression analyses, adjusted for patient characteristics and pairwise comparisons, to evaluate the modification of the association between care model and indicators of quality of care (receipt of antiretroviral therapy, cancer screening, and health care use) by level of physician HIV experience (≤5, 6-49, ≥50 patients during study period). RESULTS: The majority of HIV-positive patients (52.8%) saw family physicians exclusively for their care. Among these patients, receipt of antiretroviral therapy was significantly lower for those receiving care from family physicians with 5 or fewer patients and 6-49 patients compared with those with 50 or more patients (mean levels of adherence [95% CIs] were 0.34 [0.30-0.39] and 0.40 [0.34-0.45], respectively, vs 0.77 [0.74-0.80]). Patients' receipt of cancer screenings and health care use were unrelated to family physician HIV experience. CONCLUSIONS: Family physician HIV experience was strongly associated with receipt of antiretroviral therapy by HIV-positive patients, especially among those seeing only family physicians for their care. Future work must determine the best models for integrating and delivering comprehensive HIV care among diverse populations and settings.

Qualitative Evaluation of Cardiovascular Diseases Management in Family Medicine Team in One Year Level.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading death cause in modern world and are the most public health problem. WHO program for CVD contains: prevention, command and follow up of CVD in global level. AIM: Investigate CVD frequency in family medicine team in 2012.year (one year period of time) and qualitative management prevention and clinical services management quality of CVD together with recommended standards. PATIENTS AND METHODS: clinical revision of clinical standard practice patients with CVD was provided in Family medicine team in Public Health Centre Tuzla for the period of time from January 01 2012 - December 31 2012. For quality of realized services, AKAZ standards were based for: chapter 2. Health promotion and diseases prevention 2.5. preventive clinical services; chapter 3. Clinical services, standard 3.1. Coronary diseases and standard 3.2. TIA and Stroke. From CVD register next parameters had been used: age, gender, disease diagnose, therapy, blood pressure values, total cholesterol values, ß blockers therapy, anticoagulant therapy prescription, smoker status, stop smoking recommendation and influenza vaccination recommendation. STATISTICAL APPROACH: All results were taken in Excel program and statistically analyzed. Descriptive standard tests were taken with measurement of central tendency and dispersion. For significant differentials achieved with χ² chances relation was taken (Odds Ratio-OR) with 95% relevant security. All tests were leveled in statistical significant from 95% (p<0,05). RESULTS: Considering total registered habitants number 1448 (males 624 females 824) total diseases of usually CVD in Team 1 family medicine 531 (36,67%). The most frequent disease was hypertension which was presented in 30,31% of registered patients but in total CVD illness was present in 82,67%. In relation with total patients number (531), female prevalence from CVD 345:186 males vs. 65%:35%; P=0,001 and was statistically significantly higher. Almost patients were in age from ≥65 years. Nearly all the standards for chapter 2. Health promotion and diseases prevention and chapter 3. Clinical services, standard 3.1. Coronary diseases and standard 3.2. TIA and Stroke are met in larger percentages than the minimum, however, bad quality signs we have found in total cholesterol control were values of total cholesterol were ≤ 5mmol/l achieved only in 27.58% patients with CVD. Stop smoking recommendation in smokers with TIA and Stroke (total 10 smokers) was registered in 20,00% patients. Indicator was not achieved,(min level 25%). CONCLUSION: Role of family medicine team is extremely important in patient care who suffer from chronically noncontagious diseases such as CVD, as one of them. Considering that in our country preventive programs for CVD are at small level, results of this study are acceptable. Our plans for personal continuous educations and patient educations about healthy life style are pointed for higher or average of achieved standards and of course everything what have to be done should be written in personal dates of patients.

Comparison of glaucoma knowledge and referral practices among family physicians with ophthalmologists' expectations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare family physicians' glaucoma knowledge and clinical skills with ophthalmologists' expectations. DESIGN: An electronic cross-sectional survey of family physicians and ophthalmologists. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included members of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Canadian Glaucoma Society, and the American Glaucoma Society, as well as family physicians in the Canadian Medical Directory and the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada listserv. METHODS: Two complementary surveys were developed to evaluate family physicians' glaucoma knowledge and basic examination skills, and ophthalmologists' expected level of family physician clinical knowledge and skills. χ(2) tests identified differences between family physician and ophthalmologist responses. Differences in family physician knowledge based on practice location and frequency of patient visits with a diagnosis of glaucoma were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 142 ophthalmologists and 110 family physicians completed the survey. The majority (82%) of family physicians reported seeing patients with diagnosed glaucoma weekly, monthly, or semiannually. Significantly fewer family physicians than expected (p < 0.001) identified African descent (46%) and corticosteroid use (84%) as glaucoma risk factors. Family physicians were significantly less likely to refer based on risk factors (72%) than expected by ophthalmologists (91%; p < 0.001). Only 28% of family physicians were comfortable performing direct ophthalmoscopy, and 37% were comfortable checking for a relative afferent pupillary defect. A significant percentage of family physicians lacked knowledge of glaucoma medications (30%) and side effects (57%). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed significant disparities in family physician glaucoma knowledge, clinical examination skills, and referral practices. Educational materials should target these knowledge gaps.

Family physicians' knowledge of commonly overused treatments and tests.

PURPOSE: In 2010, several primary care physician organizations drafted the "Promoting Good Stewardship in Clinical Practice" list for family medicine to advance the appropriate use of 5 commonly ordered treatments and tests. The goal was to achieve excellent patient care while appropriately conserving health care resources. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge regarding the appropriate use of these treatments and tests among the memberships of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians (USAFP) and the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM). METHODS: An online, cross-sectional survey of all family physician members of the USAFP and the CAFM was conducted. The survey consisted of 5 clinical cases administered as part of a larger omnibus CAFM Educational Research Alliance survey and a separate USAFP membership survey. The primary outcome was correct answers to clinical scenarios. RESULTS: The response rate was 11% (n = 236 of 2165) for members of USAFP and 47% (n = 519 of 1099) for CAFM members, with an overall response rate of 23% (n = 755 of 3264). Overall, respondents answered 78% of cases correctly (USAFP 79%, CAFM 78%; no significant difference). In rank order, respondents were most likely to answer the Papanicolaou test question correctly (90.1%), followed by the low-back pain (86.7%), the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry screening (85.4%), the sinusitis (66.5%), and the cardiac screening questions (61.4%). CONCLUSION: Among the family physicians surveyed, knowledge about the appropriate use of commonly overused tests and treatments was high. Two clinical scenarios (sinusitis and cardiac screening) demonstrate areas where further education could improve care and reduce costs.

Preventive health services implemented by family physicians in Portugal-a cross-sectional study based on two clinical scenarios.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether Portuguese family physicians perform preventive health services in accordance with scientific evidence, based on the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary healthcare, Portuguese National Health Service. PARTICIPANTS: 255 Portuguese family physicians selected by a stratified cluster sampling design were invited to participate in a computer-assisted telephone survey. OUTCOMES: Prevalence of compliance with USPSTF recommendations for screening, given a male and female clinical scenario and a set of proposed medical interventions, including frequency of the intervention and performance in their own daily practice. RESULTS: A response rate of 95.7% was obtained (n=244). 98-100% of family physicians answered according to the USPSTF recommendations in most interventions. In the male scenario, the lowest concordance was observed in the evaluation of prostate-specific antigen with 37% of family physicians answering according to the USPSTF recommendations. In the female scenario, the lowest concordance was for cholesterol testing with 2% of family physicians complying. Family physicians younger than 50 years had significantly better compliance scores than older ones (mean 77% vs 72%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high degree of agreement with USPSTF recommendations among Portuguese family physicians. However, we also found results suggesting excessive use of some medical interventions, raising concerns related to possible harm associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment.