-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To establish which cut-off point for the FEV1/FVC (i.e. fixed 0.70 or Lower Limit of Normal cut-off point) best predicts accelerated lung function decline and exacerbations in middle-aged smokers.We performed secondary analyses on the Lung Health Study dataset. 4,045 smokers aged 35 to 60 years with mild to moderate obstructive pulmonary disease were subdivided into categories based on presence or absence of obstruction according to both FEV1/FVC cut-off points. Postbronchodilator FEV1 decline served as primary outcome to compare subjects between the respective categories.583 subjects (14.4%) were non-obstructed and 3,230 subjects (79.8%) were obstructed according to both FEV1/FVC cut-off points. 173 (4.3%) subjects were obstructive according to the fixed but not according to the LLN cut-off point("discordant" subjects). Mean postbronchodilator FEV1 decline was 41.8 (SE 2.0) mL·year(-1) in non-obstructive subjects, 43.8 (3.8) mL·year(-1) in discordant subjects, and 53.5 (0.9) mL·year(-1) in obstructive subjects (p<0.001).Our study showed that FEV1 decline in subjects deemed obstructed according to a fixed criterion (FEV1/FVC<0.70), but non-obstructed by a sex and age-specific criterion (LLN) closely resembles FEV1 decline in subjects designated as non-obstructed by both criteria. Sex and age should be taken into account when assessing airflow obstruction in middle-aged smokers.
European Respiratory Journal 04/2013; · 5.89 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: PURPOSE Screening guidelines for type 2 diabetes recommend targeting high-risk individuals. Our objective was to assess whether diagnosis of type 2 diabetes based on opportunistic targeted screening results in lower vascular event rates compared with diagnosis on the basis of clinical signs or symptoms. METHODS In a prospective, nonrandomized, observational study, we enrolled patients aged 45 to 75 years from 10 family practices in the Netherlands with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, detected either by (1) opportunistic targeted screening (n = 359) or (2) clinical signs or symptoms (n = 206). Patients in both groups received the same guideline-concordant diabetes care. The main group outcome measure was a composite of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD), nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. RESULTS Baseline vascular disease was more prevalent in the opportunistic targeted screening group, mainly ischemic heart disease (12.3% vs 3.9%, P = .001) and nephropathy (16.9% vs 7.1%, P = .002). After a mean follow-up of 7.7 years (SD = 2.4 years) and 7.1 years (SD = 2.7 years) for the opportunistic targeted screening and clinical diagnosis groups, respectively, composite primary event rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (9.5% vs 10.2%, P = .78; adjusted hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval, 0.36-1.25; P = .21). There were also no significant differences in the separate event rates of deaths from CVD, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal strokes. CONCLUSIONS Opportunistic targeted screening for type 2 diabetes detected patients with higher CVD morbidity at baseline when compared with clinical diagnosis but showed similar CVD mortality and major CVD morbidity after 7.7 years. Opportunistic targeted screening and guided care appears to improve vascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes in primary care.
The Annals of Family Medicine 01/2013; 11(1):20-7. · 5.36 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Evidence for pay-for-performance (P4P) has been searched for in the last decade as financial incentives increased to influence behaviour of health care professionals to improve quality of care. The effectiveness of P4P is inconclusive, though some reviews reported significant effects. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in performance after introducing a participatory P4P program. DESIGN: An observational study with a pre- and post-measurement.Setting and subjects.Sixty-five general practices in the south of the Netherlands.Intervention.A P4P program designed by target users containing indicators for chronic care, prevention, practice management and patient experience (general practitioner's [GP] functioning and organization of care). Quality indicators were calculated for each practice. A bonus with a maximum of 6890 Euros per 1000 patients was determined by comparing practice performance with a benchmark. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality indicators for clinical care (process and outcome) and patient experience. RESULTS: We included 60 practices. After 1 year, significant improvement was shown for the process indicators for all chronic conditions ranging from +7.9% improvement for cardiovascular risk management to +11.5% for asthma. Five outcome indicators significantly improved as well as patients' experiences with GP's functioning and organization of care. No significant improvements were seen for influenza vaccination rate and the cervical cancer screening uptake. The clinical process and outcome indicators, as well as patient experience indicators were affected by baseline measures. Smaller practices showed more improvement. CONCLUSIONS: A participatory P4P program might stimulate quality improvement in clinical care and improve patient experiences with GP's functioning and the organization of care.
Family Practice 09/2012; · 1.50 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Current COPD guidelines advocate a fixed < 0.70 FEV1/FVC cutpoint to define airflow obstruction. We compared rate of lung function decline in respiratory symptomatic 40+ subjects who were 'obstructive' or 'non-obstructive' according to the fixed and/or age and gender specific lower limit of normal (LLN) FEV1/FVC cutpoints.
We studied 3,324 respiratory symptomatic subjects referred to primary care diagnostic centres for spirometry. The cohort was subdivided into four categories based on presence or absence of obstruction according to the fixed and LLN FEV1/FVC cutpoints. Postbronchodilator FEV1 decline served as primary outcome to compare subjects between the respective categories.
918 subjects were obstructive according to the fixed FEV1/FVC cutpoint; 389 (42%) of them were non-obstructive according to the LLN cutpoint. In smokers, postbronchodilator FEV1 decline was 21 (SE 3) ml/year in those non-obstructive according to both cutpoints, 21 (7) ml/year in those obstructive according to the fixed but not according to the LLN cutpoint, and 50 (5) ml/year in those obstructive according to both cutpoints (p = 0.004).
This study showed that respiratory symptomatic 40+ smokers and non-smokers who show FEV1/FVC values below the fixed 0.70 cutpoint but above their age/gender specific LLN value did not show accelerated FEV1 decline, in contrast with those showing FEV1/FVC values below their LLN cutpoint.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine 03/2012; 12:12. · 1.33 Impact Factor
-
Research in Developmental Disabilities 2011;32:1902-1909. 09/2011;
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In the Netherlands, epidemics of vaccine preventable diseases are largely confined to an orthodox protestant minority with religious objections to vaccination. The clustering of unvaccinated children in orthodox protestant schools can foster the spread of epidemics. School closure has nevertheless not been practiced up until now. A mumps epidemic in 2007-2008 gave us an opportunity to study the role of schools in the spread of a vaccine preventable disease in a village with low vaccination coverage.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the students in four elementary schools and their siblings. The following information was collected for each child: having had the mumps or not and when, school, age, MMR vaccination status, household size, presence of high school students in the household, religious denomination, and home village. The spread of mumps among unvaccinated children was compared for the four schools in a Kaplan-Meier analysis using a log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to test for the influence of other factors. To correct for confounding, a univariate Cox regression model with only school included as a determinant was compared to a multivariate regression model containing all possible confounders.
Out of 650 households with children at the schools, 54% completed a questionnaire, which provided information on 1191 children. For the unvaccinated children (N = 769), the Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences among the schools in their cumulative attack rates. After correction for confounding, the Cox regression analysis showed the hazard of mumps to be higher in one orthodox protestant school compared to the other (hazard ratio 1.43, p < 0.001). Household size independently influenced the hazard of mumps (hazard ratio 1.44, p < 0.005) with children in larger households running a greater risk.
If and when unvaccinated children got mumps was determined by the particular school the children and their siblings attended, and by the household size. This finding suggests that school closure can influence the spread of an epidemic among orthodox protestant populations, provided that social distancing is adhered to as well. Further research on the effects of school closure on the final attack rate is nevertheless recommended.
BMC Infectious Diseases 08/2011; 11:227. · 3.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although childhood vaccination programmes have been very successful, there are some hard to reach minority groups that object to vaccination. The Netherlands has experienced several epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases, confined to the orthodox Protestant minority. However, vaccination coverage in this minority is still unknown and this hampers prevention and control of epidemics.
We estimated vaccination coverage among the orthodox Protestant minority and its various subgroups (denominations), using two sub-studies with different design and study population. For both sub-studies separately, we determined overall vaccination coverage and vaccination coverage per denomination. The results were compared and discussed.
An online survey was filled out by 1778 orthodox Protestant youngsters, invited via orthodox Protestant media using a snowball method. Next to that, results of a national sample study on vaccination were used, of which only orthodox Protestant respondents were included in our analyses (N = 2129). Overall vaccination coverage among orthodox Protestants in The Netherlands was estimated to be at minimum 60%. Moreover, in both sub-studies three clusters of denominations could be identified, with high (>85%), intermediate (50-75%) and low (<25%) vaccination coverage.
The integration of both sub-studies, with their own specific strengths and weaknesses, added to our insight in the vaccination coverage in this minority. Based on these results, we recommend to focus prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases on the orthodox Protestant subgroups with intermediate and low vaccination coverage.
The European Journal of Public Health 06/2011; 22(3):359-64. · 2.73 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Preterm birth increases the risk for neurologic and developmental disabilities and therefore long-term follow-up is important. This prospective follow-up study aims to describe longitudinal motor performance in preterm infants from 6 to 24 months and to detect the influence of risk factors on motor performance trajectories. We included preterm infants (n=348) with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition (BSID-II) Motor Scale and the Behaviour Rating Scale were recorded at the corrected ages of 6, 12 and 24 months. The Motor Scale raw score was the dependent variable in random coefficient analysis for risk factors in the cohort if infants with cerebral damage were in- and excluded. The raw score increased, showed the highest correlation (rp=0.48-0.67) and was more stable than the PDI and its classification. Fifteen percent of the infants had a stable classification, while 45% changed one class. Male sex and intra-ventricular haemorrhage (IVH) lowered the raw scores. Higher motor quality scores and height increased the raw scores, while the influence of maternal education varied at different time points. Removal of infants with cerebral damage from the cohort did not change the risk factors. The results showed that the raw score trajectories were more stable, but after corrections for norm data, the measurements became highly unstable. This is clinically important when reporting results to parents, guiding intervention and in randomised trials. The risk factors predominantly influenced the level of motor performance raw scores. Maternal education additionally influenced the trajectory and should be included in randomisation procedures.
Research in developmental disabilities 2011;32(5):1902-9. 05/2011;
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To identify organizational determinants of positive patient experiences with fertility care, with the goal of improving patient centeredness of care.
Cross-sectional survey.
One large university clinic and 12 medium-sized fertility clinics in the Netherlands.
Three hundred and sixty-nine couples receiving medically assisted reproduction in one of the participating clinics between March and May 2008.
None.
Organizational determinants of patients' experiences with patient centeredness in fertility care.
Of the patients during the relevant period, 78% of the women and 76% of their partners participated in the study. Infertile couples who have a lead physician, have access to an electronic personal health record, or see trained fertility nurses have more positive experiences with aspects of patient-centered care, like continuity of care and partner involvement. Moreover, receiving a treatment other than in vitro fertilization was negatively associated with the perceived patient centeredness of care. The identified determinants explained 5.1% to 22.4% of the total variance.
This study provides organizational determinants of patients' experiences with fertility care on numerous facets of patient centeredness. These organizational determinants can be used as valuable tools to enable clinics to provide a more positive patient experience.
Fertility and sterility 02/2011; 95(2):513-9. · 3.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the number of employed people in a group of patients with neuromuscular diseases and in 3 separate subgroups (facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy, hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and myotonic dystrophy) to investigate any differences in employment status between the patient groups, and to identify factors related to employment status. Design: Cross-sectional study. Patients: A total of 591 patients with neuromuscular diseases participated in the study, 138 with facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy, 135 with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and 318 with myotonic dystrophy. Methods: Self-report questionnaires, the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: Of the patients with neuromuscular diseases in the study, 56.7% were employed. Younger age, being male, and higher education contributed significantly to employment status of the neuromuscular diseases group and the hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy and myotonic dystrophy subgroups. Significant between-group differences for employed vs not employed subjects were present in the total neuromuscular diseases group on all subscales of the CIS and SF-36. Factors related to employment status differed for the 3 neuromuscular diseases subgroups. Conclusion: More than half of the patients with neuromuscular diseases were employed. Patients with facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy and patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy were more often employed than patients with myotonic dystrophy. Between-group analyses for differences in baseline factors revealed 11 significant factors related to employment. Multivariate logistic analyses revealed 6 factors contributing to employment for the group of patients with neuromuscular diseases.
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 12/2010; 42(1):60-65. · 2.05 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND Proper use of clinical practice guidelines can decrease variation in care between settings. However, actual use of fertility guidelines is suboptimal and in need of improvement. Hence, a cluster-randomized controlled trial was designed to study the effects of two strategies to implement national Dutch guidelines on comprehensive fertility care. METHODS Sixteen fertility clinics participated in the trial. A minimal, professional-oriented implementation strategy of audit and feedback was tested versus a maximal multi-faceted strategy that was both professional and patient oriented. The extent of adherence to guideline recommendations, reflected in quality indicator scores, was the primary outcome measure. To gain an insight into unwanted side effects, patient anxiety and depression scores were gathered as secondary outcomes. Data collection encompassed medical record search, patient and professional questionnaires. RESULTS A total of 1499 couples were included at baseline and 1396 at the after-measurement. No overall significant improvement in indicator scores was found for either strategy [odds ratios ranging from 0.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.95) to 6.66 (95% CI: 0.33-132.8]. Secondary outcomes did not differ significantly for both groups, although selected anxiety scores appeared lower in the maximal intervention group. Process evaluation of the trial revealed positive patient experiences with the intervention material [e.g. an increased understanding of their doctor's treatment policy (61%), an increased ability to ask questions about the treatment (61%)]. Professionals' appreciation of intervention elements varied, and execution of the multi-faceted strategy appeared incomplete. DISCUSSION Absence of an intervention effect may be due to the nature of the strategies, incomplete execution or flaws in study design. Process evaluation data raise the question of whether professionals should be the only stakeholder responsible for guideline implementation. This study therefore contributes to an increased understanding of fertility guideline implementation in general, and the role of patients in particular.
Human Reproduction 12/2010; 26(4):817-26. · 4.47 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Communicable disease crises can endanger the health care system and often require special guidelines. Understanding reasons for nonadherence to crisis guidelines is needed to improve crisis management. We identified and measured barriers and conditions for optimal adherence as perceived by 4 categories of health care professionals.
In-depth interviews were performed (n = 26) to develop a questionnaire for a cross-sectional survey of microbiologists (100% response), infection preventionists (74% response), public health physicians (96% response), and public health nurses (82% response). The groups were asked to appraise barriers encountered during 4 outbreaks (severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], Clostridium difficile ribotype 027, rubella, and avian influenza) according to a 5-point Likert scale. When at least 33% of the participants responded "strongly agree," "agree," or "rather agree than disagree," a barrier was defined as "often experienced." The common ("generic") barriers were included in a univariate and multivariate model. Barriers specific to the various groups were studied as well.
Crisis guidelines were found to have 4 generic barriers to adherence: (1) lack of imperative or precise wording, (2) lack of easily identifiable instructions specific to each profession, (3) lack of concrete performance targets, and (4) lack of timely and adequate guidance on personal protective equipment and other safety measures. The cross-sectional study also yielded profession-specific sets of often-experienced barriers.
To improve adherence to crisis guidelines, the generic barriers should be addressed when developing guidelines, irrespective of the infectious agent. Profession-specific barriers require profession-specific strategies to change attitudes, ensure organizational facilities, and provide an adequate setting for crisis management.
American journal of infection control 11/2010; 38(9):726-33. · 3.01 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To determine the number of employed people in a group of patients with neuromuscular diseases and in 3 separate subgroups (facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy, hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and myotonic dystrophy) to investigate any differences in employment status between the patient groups, and to identify factors related to employment status.
Cross-sectional study.
A total of 591 patients with neuromuscular diseases participated in the study, 138 with facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy, 135 with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and 318 with myotonic dystrophy.
Self-report questionnaires, the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36).
Of the patients with neuromuscular diseases in the study, 56.7% were employed. Younger age, being male, and higher education contributed significantly to employment status of the neuromuscular diseases group and the hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy and myotonic dystrophy subgroups. Significant between-group differences for employed vs not employed subjects were present in the total neuromuscular diseases group on all subscales of the CIS and SF-36. Factors related to employment status differed for the 3 neuromuscular diseases subgroups.
More than half of the patients with neuromuscular diseases were employed. Patients with facioscapulo-humeral dystrophy and patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy were more often employed than patients with myotonic dystrophy. Between-group analyses for differences in baseline factors revealed 11 significant factors related to employment. Multivariate logistic analyses revealed 6 factors contributing to employment for the group of patients with neuromuscular diseases.
Journal of rehabilitation medicine: official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 01/2010; 42(1):60-5. · 1.88 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To assess determinants of patients' experiences and satisfaction with fertility care.
Cross-sectional questionnaire study.
Sixteen fertility clinics in The Netherlands.
A total of 1,499 infertile women in The Netherlands who visited a participating clinic in April-June 2005 for diagnostics or treatment.
Patients experiences and satisfaction with several aspects of fertility care, and the patient and clinic characteristics that are determinants of those two concepts.
In general, patients' satisfaction with care was high (94%). Waiting times, information provision and emotional support were experienced the least positive aspects of care. Determinants of all care aspects were found to be significant at four different domains: three at patient level, i.e., demographic characteristics, type of received treatment and both general and mental health status, and one at clinic level, i.e., organization of care.
This study provides an increased understanding of the determinants of patients' experiences and satisfaction with fertility care. This enables professionals to tailor their care to specific subgroups of patients and adjust their organization of fertility care where needed. Moreover, the study underlines the need to investigate whether case-mix correction is necessary whenever interpreting patient-surveys on care experiences, because both the patient's and the clinic's characteristics can influence the way that health care delivery is experienced. Demographic background of this regional patient sample was rather homogeneous, which should be taken into account when interpreting results.
Fertility and sterility 10/2009; 94(4):1254-60. · 3.97 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Approximately 60% of preterm infants who are assessed at 5 years for motor performance in a standardized multidisciplinary follow-up program are found to have normal results, indicating that, for these children, routine motor assessment at this age is unnecessary.
To improve the efficiency of our follow-up practice for motor assessment by developing a model to predict motor performance of preterm infants at 5 years with a maximal sensitivity (>or=90%).
Longitudinal design.
We included preterm infants (n=371) with a gestational age of <or=32 weeks; children with severe disabilities were excluded.
The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) at 5 years with 'delayed' motor performance (<15 percentile) was the dependent variable. As factors in the model, we used twenty neonatal risk factors, the maternal education level, the Motor Scale and the Behavior Rating Scale (BRS) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition, at 2(1/2) years.
Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the prediction model (n=345) reached a sensitivity of 94%. Five factors contributed significantly (p<0.05) to the model: a Motor Scale PDI <90 and a BRS 'motor quality' <26 percentile, and the neonatal risk factors gestational age <30 weeks, male gender and intra-ventricular hemorrhage.
The prediction model can improve the efficiency of follow-up practice for motor assessment by 37% at 5 years. Applying this model, we would not have assessed 129 children and would have missed six children.
Early human development 07/2009; 85(9):599-604. · 2.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The oral prednisolone test is widely used to distinguish chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who might benefit from inhaled steroid treatment. Previous studies used selected patient groups that did not represent the large COPD population in primary care.
The study included smokers and exsmokers with chronic bronchitis or COPD from primary care, who underwent prednisolone testing (30 mg for 14 days) before randomization in a three-year follow-up randomized controlled trial (COOPT Study). Spirometry was performed before and after the test. Responders and nonresponders were classified according to international criteria. Effectiveness of inhaled fluticasone relative to placebo was compared in terms of health status (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire), exacerbations, and postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), using repeated measurement analysis.
Two hundred eighty-six patients recruited from 44 primary care practices were randomized. Nine percent to 16% of the COPD population was classified as responder, depending on the international guideline criteria used. On average, responders did not reach the minimum clinically important difference in health status (0.29 points/year, P = 0.05), although a borderline significant effect of inhaled fluticasone was noted. Possible clinically relevant reductions in exacerbation rate (rate ratio 0.67) and FEV(1) decline (39 mL/year) occurred in responders, but did not reach statistical significance.
Oral steroid testing identifies a limited proportion of COPD patients, but does not reveal any clinically relevant benefit from inhaled steroid treatment on health status. No significant effects on exacerbation rate and lung function decline occurred.
International Journal of COPD 01/2009; 4:431-6.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To assess patients' views on the care provided by nurse practitioners compared with that provided by general practitioners and to determine factors influencing these views.
Many countries have sought to shift aspects of primary care provision from doctors to nurses. It is unclear how patients view these skill mix changes.
Cross-sectional survey.
Patients (n = 235) who received care from both nurse and doctor were sent a self-administered questionnaire. The main outcome measures were patient preferences, satisfaction with the nurses and doctors and factors influencing patients' preference and satisfaction.
Patients preferred the doctor for medical aspects of care, whereas for educational and routine aspects of care half of the patients preferred the nurse or had no preference for either the nurse or doctor. Patients were generally very satisfied with both nurse and doctor. Patients were significantly more satisfied with the nurse for those aspects of care related to the support provided to patients and families and to the time made available to patients. However, variations in preference and satisfaction were mostly attributable to variation in individual patient characteristics, not doctor, nurse or practice characteristics. Conclusion: Patient preference for nurse or doctor and patient satisfaction both vary with the type of care required and reflect usual work demarcations between nurses and doctors. In general, patients are very satisfied with the care they receive.
In many countries, different aspects of primary care provision have shifted from doctors to nurses. Our study suggests that these skill mix changes meet the needs of patients and that patients are very satisfied with the care they receive. However, to implement skill mix change in general practice it is important to consider usual work demarcations between nurses and doctors.
Journal of Clinical Nursing 10/2008; 17(20):2690-8. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Aim and objectives. To assess patients’ views on the care provided by nurse practitioners compared with that provided by general practitioners and to determine factors influencing these views.Background. Many countries have sought to shift aspects of primary care provision from doctors to nurses. It is unclear how patients view these skill mix changes.Design. Cross-sectional survey.Method. Patients (n = 235) who received care from both nurse and doctor were sent a self-administered questionnaire. The main outcome measures were patient preferences, satisfaction with the nurses and doctors and factors influencing patients’ preference and satisfaction.Results. Patients preferred the doctor for medical aspects of care, whereas for educational and routine aspects of care half of the patients preferred the nurse or had no preference for either the nurse or doctor. Patients were generally very satisfied with both nurse and doctor. Patients were significantly more satisfied with the nurse for those aspects of care related to the support provided to patients and families and to the time made available to patients. However, variations in preference and satisfaction were mostly attributable to variation in individual patient characteristics, not doctor, nurse or practice characteristics.Conclusion. Patient preference for nurse or doctor and patient satisfaction both vary with the type of care required and reflect usual work demarcations between nurses and doctors. In general, patients are very satisfied with the care they receive.Relevance to clinical practice. In many countries, different aspects of primary care provision have shifted from doctors to nurses. Our study suggests that these skill mix changes meet the needs of patients and that patients are very satisfied with the care they receive. However, to implement skill mix change in general practice it is important to consider usual work demarcations between nurses and doctors.
Journal of Clinical Nursing 09/2008; 17(20):2690 - 2698. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Limited data exist on the most effective approach to increase the quality of antibiotic use for lower respiratory tract infections at hospitals.
One thousand nine hundred six patients with community-acquired pneumonia or an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis) were included in a cluster-randomized, controlled trial at 6 medium-to-large Dutch hospitals. A multifaceted guideline-implementation strategy that was tailored to baseline performance and considered the barriers in the target group was used. Principal outcome measures were (1) guideline-adherent antibiotic prescription, (2) adaptation of dose and dose interval of antibiotics according to renal function, (3) switches in therapy, (4) streamlining of therapy, and (5) Gram staining and culture of sputum samples. Secondary process outcomes were applicable to community-acquired pneumonia (e.g., timely administration of antibiotics) or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (e.g., not prescribing macrolides).
The rate of guideline-adherent antibiotic prescription increased from 50.3% to 64.3% in the intervention hospitals (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-4.42; P=.0008). The rate of adaptation of antibiotic dose according to renal function increased from 79.4% to 95.1% in the intervention hospitals (OR, 7.32; 95% CI, 2.09-25.7; P=.02). The switch from intravenous to oral therapy improved more in the control hospitals (from 53.3% to 71.9%) than in the intervention hospitals (from 74% to 83.6%). The change from broad-spectrum empirical therapy to pathogen-directed therapy improved by 5.7% in the intervention hospitals (P = not significant). Fewer sputum samples were obtained from both the intervention group (rate of sputum samples obtained decreased from 55.8% to 53.1%) and the control group (rate of sputum samples obtained decreased from 49.6% to 42.7%). Timely administration of antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia increased significantly in the intervention group (from 55.2% to 62.9%; OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.11-5.57; P=.026).
With regard to some important aspects, tailoring interventions to change antibiotic use improved the quality of treatment for patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 05/2007; 44(7):931-41. · 9.15 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Guidelines for type 2 diabetes care in general practice are well known and accepted, but the implementation falls short.
To implement these guidelines by introducing a diabetes support service (DSS) to support the care delivered by the GP.
A controlled, non-randomised study with delayed intervention in the control group; 78 GPs (n=51 for the intervention and n=21 for the control group) in the south of the Netherlands and 613 of their type 2 diabetic patients participated. Data were collected on the frequency, content and results of the check-ups (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, creatinine, blood pressure, fundus photography, foot examination, body mass index and smoking status) for 3 years. The year before signing up with the DSS was taken for the pre-measurements and after 2 years of DSS the post-measurements took place. The effect of the DSS was analysed in a mixed model with repeated measurement covariance structure.
At baseline the intervention and control group did not differ in control frequency and outcome (HbA1c). After the intervention the percentage of patients that attended four or more quarterly check-ups (with at least testing of fasting blood glucose or HbA1c) increased from 59 to 78%. In contrast, the frequency of check-ups in the control group remained constant. This effect was significant. The HbA1c remained the same in the intervention group while there was a significant deterioration in the HbA1c in the control group.
Simple logistic support by the DSS proved to have the capacity to implement type 2 diabetes guidelines in general practice.
Family Practice 03/2007; 24(1):20-5. · 1.50 Impact Factor
