Involvement of Tunisian General Practitioners in the Management of Patients at Risk of Infective Endocarditis: A Cross-Sectional Study.
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ABSTRACT: Objectives
This work aimed to estimate the knowledge and practice of general dentists in the governorate of Manouba regarding the management of patients at risk of infective endocarditis.Materials and methods
A survey involving private sector general dentists in the governorate of Manouba was performed. It contained 21 questions, and it was addressed to 111 dentists. Only 82 dentists responded. To carry out the descriptive study, we used the SPSS software version 21.0.Results
Our results proved the lack of knowledge among dentists in the governorate of Manouba with regard to the management of patients at risk of infective endocarditis. An overestimation of the risk and an overprescription of antibiotic were found in order to ensure an over-protection for the patients as well as the dentist. In fact, 85.4% of these dentists prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis for the two groups of patients (high risk and moderate risk). Only 9.8% followed the right modality of antibiotic prophylaxis prescription; 4.9% of the dentists prescribed antibiotic only 1 hour before the act and 4.9% of them prescribed antibiotic 1 hour before the act and continued the treatment in case of the presence of an infectious site.Conclusion
A discrepancy towards an over-estimation of risk and overprescription of antibiotic was found between the recommendations and real practice. Similar studies in the other governorates of Tunisia are recommended in order to better understand the problem.
SUBMITTER: Lagha M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8016554 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC1861013 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPoorly controlled asthma can lead to maternal and fetal complications. Despite the known risks of poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy and the need for stepping up therapy when appropriate, there are concerns that management is suboptimal in primary care.Our objective was to investigate the management of asthma during pregnancy by general practitioners providing shared maternity care.MethodsA pre-piloted, anonymous mail survey was sent to all general practitioners (n = 842) involved in shared maternity care at six maternity hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Respondents were asked about their perceived safety of individual asthma medications during pregnancy. Approach to asthma management during pregnancy was further explored using scenarios of pregnant women with stable and deteriorating asthma and poor medication adherence.ResultsInhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were perceived to be the safest and were the preferred preventive medication in first trimester (74.1%), whilst leukotriene receptor antagonists were the least preferred (2.9%). A quarter (25.8%) of respondents would stop or decrease patients' ICS doses during pregnancy, even when their asthma was well controlled by current therapy. In addition, 12.1% of respondents were not sure how to manage deteriorating asthma during pregnancy and opted to refer to another health professional. Almost half the respondents (48.9%) reported encountering medication nonadherence during pregnancy.ConclusionA lack of confidence and/or knowledge among general practitioners in managing deteriorating asthma in pregnancy was observed despite a good understanding of the safety of asthma medications during pregnancy, compliance with evidence-based guidelines in the selection of preventive medications, and self reported good asthma knowledge.
| S-EPMC3219736 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundGeneral practitioners (GPs) have a central place in the management of asthma, particularly in the context of acute exacerbations.AimTo evaluate the management of asthma exacerbations by GPs, and to investigate the ability of risk factors for near fatal asthma to predict the severity of asthma attacks in the community.Design of studyA 1-month multicentre cross-sectional survey.SettingOne thousand and ninety-four GPs of the French Sentinel Network were contacted; 365 responded.MethodAsthma exacerbations were classified according to severity at presentation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression to identify those factors associated with severe exacerbations.ResultsExacerbations were described in 219 patients with asthma. Over half (54%) of exacerbations were severe. Peak expiratory flow was recorded during the consultation in 55% of patients who were more than 5 years old. beta(2) agonists were prescribed to 93% of patients, systemic corticosteroids to 71%, and antibiotics to 64%. Only 42% of patients had a written action plan for self-management of exacerbations. Risk factors for near fatal asthma, identified in 26% of patients, were not significantly associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Short duration of exacerbation before consultation (<3 hours) was associated with an increase in relative risk of severe exacerbation of 3.38, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.19 to 9.61, compared with duration of >3 hours.ConclusionRisk factors for near fatal asthma identified in previous studies were not predictive of a severe exacerbation in general practice, with the exception of short duration of exacerbation before consultation. This suggests that new methods to predict risk in the outpatient settings should be developed.
| S-EPMC1324881 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) remains a severe disease with a high mortality rate. Therefore, guidelines encourage the setup of a multidisciplinary group in reference centers. The present study evaluated the impact of this "Endocarditis Team" (ET).MethodsWe conducted a monocentric observational study at Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France, between 2012 and 2017. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Secondary end points were 6-month and 1-year mortality, surgery rate, time to surgical procedure, duration of effective antibiotic therapy, length of in-hospital stay, and sequelae. We also assessed predictors of in-hospital mortality.ResultsWe analyzed 391 episodes of IE. In the post-ET period, there was a nonsignificant decrease in in-hospital mortality (20.3% vs 14.7%, respectively; P = .27) and sequelae, along with a significant reduction in time to surgery (16.4 vs 10.3 days, respectively; P = .049), duration of antibiotic therapy (55.2 vs 47.2 days, respectively; P < .001), and length of in-hospital stay (40.6 vs 31.9 days, respectively; P < .01). In a multivariate analysis, the post-ET period was positively associated with survival (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.96; P = .048).ConclusionsThis multidisciplinary approach exerted a positive impact on the management of IE and should be considered in all hospitals managing IE.
| S-EPMC6735925 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate whether general practitioners (GPs) follow treatment recommendations from clinical practice guidelines in their decisions on the management of heart failure patients, and assess whether doctors' characteristics are related to their decisions.DesignCross-sectional vignette study.SettingContinuing Medical Education meeting.Participants451 Dutch GPs.Main outcome measuresAnswers to four multiple-choice treatment decisions in clinical vignettes of a patient with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction. With univariable and multivariable regression analyses, respondent characteristics were related to optimal treatment decisions.ResultsOf the 451 GPs, none took four optimal decisions: 7% considered stopping statin treatment, 36% initiated β-blocker treatment at a low-dose and 4% doubled the β-blocker in the up-titration phase. Finally, for our vignette patient now also suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 45% of the GPs continued β-blocker therapy even when they considered prescribing a long-acting β2-agonist. While the relation between respondent characteristics and each decision was very different, none was independently associated with all four decisions. Giving priority to evidence-based medicine was independently related to stopping statin treatment and doubling the β-blocker in the up-titration phase.ConclusionsGPs seem not to follow treatment recommendations from clinical practice guidelines in their decisions on the management of heart failure patients. The recommendations from guidelines may appear counterintuitive when statin treatment needs to be stopped when a patient feels comfortable, or when a β-blocker should be up-titrated in patients who experience more symptoms. Giving priority to evidence-based medicine is possibly positively related to difficult treatment decisions.
| S-EPMC3780330 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSomatic symptom disorder (SSD) is the successor diagnosis of somatoform disorder in the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Relevance and frequency of SSD and its clinical symptoms in general practice are still unknown. We estimate frequencies of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of SSD in general practice.MethodsMailed and online survey with general practitioners (GP) in Germany using a cross-sectional representative sample from registries of statutory health insurance physicians. GPs estimated percentages of their patients who show the clinical symptoms of SSD according to DSM-5; that is, one or more burdensome somatic symptoms (A criterion), excessive symptom- or illness-related concern, anxiety, or behaviour (B criterion), and persistence of the symptoms over at least 6 months (C criterion). Statistical analysis used means and confidence intervals of estimated patient proportions showing SSD symptoms. Frequency of full-blown SSD was based on the products of these proportions calculated for each GP.ResultsResponses from 1728 GPs were obtained. GPs saw the clinical symptoms of SSD fulfilled (A and B criteria) in 21.5% (95% CI: 20.6 to 22.3) of their patients. They further estimated that in 24.3% (95% CI: 23.3 to 25.2) of patients, symptoms would persist, yielding a total of 7.7% (95% CI: 7.1 to 8.4) of patients to have a full-blown SSD.ConclusionsWe estimate a frequency of 7.7% of patients in general practice to fulfil the diagnostic criteria of SSD. This number may figure as a reference for the yet to be uncovered prevalence of SSD and it indicates a high clinical relevance of the clinical symptoms of SSD in general practice.RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS).Drks-idDRKS00012942. The date the study was registered: October 2nd 2017. The date the first participant was enrolled: February 9th 2018.
| S-EPMC9524044 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVES:Involving general practitioners (GPs) in the commissioning/purchasing of services has been an important element in English health policy for many years. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 handed responsibility for commissioning of the majority of care for local populations to GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). In this paper, we explore GP attitudes to involvement in commissioning and future intentions for engagement. DESIGN AND SETTING:Survey of a random sample of GPs across England in 2015. METHOD:The Eighth National GP Worklife Survey was distributed to GPs in spring 2015. Responses were received from 2611 respondents (response rate = 46%). We compared responses across different GP characteristics and conducted two sample tests of proportions to identify statistically significant differences in responses across groups. We also used multivariate logistic regression to identify the characteristics associated with wanting a formal CCG role in the future. RESULTS:While GPs generally agree that they can add value to aspects of commissioning, only a minority feel that this is an important part of their role. Many current leaders intend to quit in the next 5?years, and there is limited appetite among those not currently in a formal role to take up such a role in the future. CCGs were set up as 'membership organisations' but only a minority of respondents reported feeling that they had 'ownership' of their local CCG and these were often GPs with formal CCG roles. However, respondents generally agree that the CCG has a legitimate role in influencing the work that they do. CONCLUSION:CCGs need to engage in active succession planning to find the next generation of GP leaders. GPs believe that CCGs have a legitimate role in influencing their work, suggesting that there may be scope for CCGs to involve GPs more fully in roles short of formal leadership.
| S-EPMC5734491 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDementia is often underdiagnosed in general practice, which may be based on general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and emotional factors as well as external problems. This study aimed to describe GPs' attitudes toward early diagnosis of dementia.MethodsCross-sectional postal survey in Switzerland in 2017. Members of the Swiss Association of General Practitioners (N = 4460) were asked to participate in the survey. The questionnaire assessed attitudes, enablers and barriers to early dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic intervention strategies. Exploratory factor analysis and linear regression were used.ResultsThe survey response rate was 21%. 85% of GPs agreed with enablers of early dementia recognition (e.g. "Plan for the future, organize support and care", "Minimize the strain and insecurity of patients and their informal family caregivers"). On the other hand, 15% of respondents perceived barriers towards early dementia recognition (e.g. "Time constraints in carrying out the necessary procedures to diagnose dementia"). GPs who were more likely to agree with barriers would less often counsel family members (β = - 0.05, 95% CI = - 0.09 - -0.02) or test fitness to drive (β = - 0.05, 95% CI = - 0.09 - -0.02), and more often choose a watchful waiting strategy (β = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.02-0.09).ConclusionsThe attitude of the majority of GPs is not characterized by diagnostic and therapeutic nihilism. However, negative attitudes were associated with sub-optimal management after the diagnosis. Thus, health systems are required to critically examine the use of available resources allowing GPs to look after patients and their relatives in a holistic way.
| S-EPMC6528190 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundJob satisfaction of general practitioners (GPs) is important because of the consequences of low satisfaction for GPs, their patients and the health system, such as higher turnover, health problems for the physicians themselves, less satisfied patients, poor clinical outcomes and suboptimal health care delivery. In this study, we aim to explain differences in the job satisfaction of GPs within and between countries.MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data, collected between 2010 and 2012 on 7379 GPs in 34 (mostly European) countries, as well as data on country and health system characteristics from public databases. Job satisfaction is measured through a composite score of six items about self-reported job experience. Operationalisation of the theoretical constructs includes variables, such as the range of services GPs provide, working hours, employment status, and feedback from colleagues. Data were analysed using linear multilevel regression analysis, with countries and GPs as levels. We developed hypotheses on the basis of the Social Production Function Theory, assuming that GPs 'produce' job satisfaction through stimulating work that provides a certain level of comfort, adds to their social status and provides behavioural confirmation.ResultsJob satisfaction varies between GPs and countries, with high satisfaction in Denmark and Canada (on average 2.97 and 2.77 on a scale from 1-4, respectively) and low job satisfaction in Spain (mean 2.15) and Hungary (mean 2.17). One-third of the total variance is situated on the country level, indicating large differences between countries, and countries with a higher GDP per capita have more satisfied GPs. Health system characteristics are not related to GP job satisfaction. At the GP and practice level, performing technical procedures and providing preventive care, feedback from colleagues, and patient satisfaction are positively related to GP job satisfaction and working more hours is negatively related GP job satisfaction.ConclusionOverall and in terms of our theoretical approach, we found that GPs are able to 'produce' work-related well-being through activities and resources related to stimulation, comfort and behavioural confirmation, but not to status.
| S-EPMC8077953 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterize the current practice of asthma among general practitioners (GPs) in Lebanon.MethodsOut of 2450 Lebanese registered GPs, a representative sample of 330 were stratified by region to fill out the questionnaire constructed on the basis of surveys developed mainly by the Chicago Asthma Surveillance Initiative Report Team in newly moderate persistent asthma patients aged 5 years and above. The questionnaire included information about ascertaining diagnostic techniques, pharmacotherapeutic approaches, formal patient education program; asthma related continuing medical education and asthma practice guidelines.ResultsTotally, 302 completed the questionnaire achieving a response rate of 91.5%. Chest radiography was the most commonly used diagnostic test (98%), while stain for eosinophilia was the less commonly used (7.9%). For clinical monitoring, cough and wheezing (98.7%) were mostly assessed. Short acting inhaled β2-agonists were often the most prescribed (94.3%) followed by inhaled corticosteroids (87.4%) then by long acting β-agonist (LABA) and theophylline (27.5% and 20.9%, respectively). Moreover, 10% of GPs provided formal asthma education program, 72.2% attended professional education and 65% adopted guidelines.ConclusionBased on current international guidelines, the overall Lebanese GPs practice of asthma management is not at an acceptable standard. Therefore, it is recommended to improve monitoring parameters, implement the asthma guidelines nationally and improve patient education.
| S-EPMC3913077 | biostudies-literature