Approaching the obese patients in primary health care in the Czech Republic.

Statistical results of a study monitoring the occurrence of obesity in the Czech population between 1985 and 2000 were published by the Czech Society of General Practice, in the recommended diagnostic and treatment guidelines for general practitioners under the heading 'Obesity'. In these recommended guidelines, a collective of reputable authors characterize the illness, as well as review the epidemiological data and aetiology of this illness according to the latest know-how in contemporary science. They recommend comprehensive therapeutic procedures in outpatient practice and assess the goals of weight-loss treatment. This comprehensive treatment of obesity is founded on 3 main pillars, namely on dietary measures, changes in physical activity using cognitive behavioural techniques, and the use of targeted pharmacotherapy. In conclusion, a clear recommended algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity for general practitioners is provided (Ref. 3). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Influence of lunar phase on daily global temperatures.

A newly available data set of daily satellite-derived, lower-tropospheric global temperature anomalies provides an opportunity to assess the influence of lunar phase on planetary temperature. These results reveal a statistically significant 0.02 K modulation between new moon and full moon, with the warmest daily global temperatures over a synodic month coincident with the occurrence of the full moon. Spectral analysis of the daily temperature record confirms the presence of a periodicity that matches the lunar synodic (29.53-day) cycle. The precision of the satellite-based daily temperature record allows verification that the moon exerts a discernible influence on the short-term, global temperature record.

Office management: increasing productivity in the workplace.

Healthcare managers are seeking new ways to increase productivity in the workplace. New technologies, such as word processing, electronic mail, electronic conferencing, calendar management, data base management systems, artificial intelligence, decision support systems, and local area networks, are being developed to help the healthcare manager make the workplace more productive. The challenge therefore is to implement these systems smoothly and address the organizational issues associated with implementation.

Time reporting within a health systems agency.

It is a truism that good management is a prerequisite to successful health planning and that essential to good management is reliable data on what is taking place. Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) have, in general, not taken advantage of management information systems (MIS) which might assist them in obtaining such data, perhaps because of cost or because of fear of burdening professionals with too much record keeping. Yet, performance categories mandated for HSAs provide an excellent base on which to build a simple, flexible MIS. The HSA of Western New York (HSAWNY) has installed an MIS, one component of which is a time reporting system for professional activity. This article discusses the purposes of the system, the analysis leading to its design, the input coding requirements, the output reports, uses for the output, the developmental and operational costs, the difficulties with system development and operation, and suggestions for further action.