RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Studies outside of Ireland have demonstrated that GPs believe point-of-care tests (POCTs) are useful and would like to have more of these tests available in daily practice. This study establishes the views of Irish GPs on this topic for the first time and also explores GPs' perceptions of barriers to having POCT devices in primary care. AIM: To establish Irish GPs' perception of the benefits and barriers to POCT use. DESIGN & SETTING: A quantitative cross-sectional observational survey of Irish GPs attending continuing medical educational meetings (CME) in November 2015. METHOD: Data was collected using an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of a total of 250, 70% of GPs (n = 143) completed the questionnaire. Of these, 92% (n = 132) indicated they would like to have access to POCTs. Guidance in decision making 43% (n = 61), reduced referral rates 29% (n = 42), and diagnosis assistance 13% (n = 18) were the main benefits expressed. Cost 45% (n = 64) and time 34% (n = 48) were the main barriers identified. CONCLUSION: This study proved that Irish GPs would also like increased access to POCTs. They feel that these tests would benefit patient care. Unsurprisingly, cost and time were two barriers identified to using POCT devices, which supports outcomes from studies. Radical changes would be required in primary care to facilitate implementation of POCTs and attention must be paid to how the costs of POCTs will be funded. This study may act as a prompt for future international research to further explore this area.
RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare operative and postoperative results and differences among laparoscopic, vaginal, and abdominal hysterectomies performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical histories was performed for women who had undergone three different types of hysterectomies (laparoscopic, vaginal, and abdominal) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 2004-2005. RESULTS: A total of 602 hysterectomies were performed: 51 (8.5%) laparoscopic, 203 (33.7%) vaginal, and 348 (57.8%) abdominal. The lowest complication rate occurred in patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (n=5, 9.8%) and the highest--abdominal hysterectomy (n=88, 25.2%) (P<0.05). More complication occurred after abdominal as compared to vaginal hysterectomy (n=88, 25.2% vs. n=20, 9.9%, respectively; P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate comparing laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies (P=0.26). The amount of blood loss depended on the type of hysterectomy--less blood was lost during laparoscopic and more during abdominal hysterectomy (123.4 vs. 308.5 mL, respectively; P<0.01). A significantly higher blood loss was observed during abdominal hysterectomy as compared to vaginal (195.3 mL) and vaginal as compared to laparoscopic hysterectomy (P<0.01). The mean length of hospital stay differed comparing all three types of hysterectomies: the shortest stay of 8.6 days was after laparoscopic, the longest of 13.7 days--after abdominal hysterectomy. The mean hospital stay was statistically significant shorter for vaginal hysterectomy compared to abdominal hysterectomy (9.1 vs. 13.7 days, P<0.01). The difference in mean length of hospital stay was insignificant comparing laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal hysterectomy was the most common procedure performed. The type of hysterectomy influenced the rate of complications--the lowest complication rate was after laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies. The amount of blood loss depended on the type of hysterectomy--the lowest was during laparoscopic hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy required on average a longer hospital stay compared with laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies.