Overall Medication Adherence as an Indicator for Health Outcomes Among Elderly Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes.

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to assess overall medication adherence as an indicator for emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and mortality among elderly patients.

Methods: The study included individuals aged 75-90 years, diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension, who were treated with at least 1 antihypertensive, or antidiabetic medication in 2017. We determined personal adherence rates by calculating the mean adherence rates of the medications prescribed to each individual.

The Relationship Between Patient Medication Adherence and Following Preventive Medicine Recommendation.

Background: To study the relationship between adherence to chronic medications and adherence to preventive medicine recommendations among persons with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Methods: Data were collected from the Clalit database included all members of Clalit aged 50 to 74 years, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or hypertension before 2016 and treated with at least 1 medication (statins hypotensive or antidiabetic drugs) during 2017. We analyzed all the monthly prescriptions that were filled during 2017.

Adherence to Oral Anticoagulant Medications.

Background: Oral anticoagulants (OAC) reduce the risk for stroke and death from all causes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Objectives: To explore adherence rates of OAC among patients with NVAF in long-term use in a real-world setting and to examine patient characteristics associated with good adherence.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study with members of Clalit Health Services, Israel.

Associations of Chronic Medication Adherence with Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations.

Introduction: Good medication adherence is associated with decreased healthcare expenditure; however, adherence is usually assessed for single medication. We aim to explore the associations of adherence levels to 23 chronic medications with emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations. The primary endpoints are ER visits and hospitalizations in internal medicine and surgical wards.

Should patients treated with oral anti-coagulants be operated on within 48 h of hip fracture?

To investigate if patients treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC) have delayed surgical intervention (more than 48 h) compared to patients without OAC therapy, and if there is an impact to surgery timing on hospitalization length and mortality. A retrospective cohort study of all patients aged over 65 registered with a new diagnosis of hip fracture who underwent surgery in one of the general hospitals run by Clalit, Israel between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2017. Data was retrieved for patient demographics, OAC treatment, and Charlson comorbidity index.

Adherence to oral antihypertensive medications, are all medications equal?

Good medication adherence is a key factor in chronic disease management. Poor adherence is associated with adverse outcomes and high costs. We aimed to explore adherence rates among oral antihypertensive medications.

Diabetes medication persistence, different medications have different persistence rates.

Aim: To assess the persistence of diabetic patients to oral medications.

Methods: The study included all type 2 diabetic patients over 40 years, members of one District of Clalit Health Services Israel, who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus before 2008 and who filled at least one prescription per year during 2008-2010, for the following medications: metformin, glibenclamide, acarbose, statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs). Purchase of at least 9 monthly prescriptions during 2009 was considered "good medication persistence".

Interpersonal continuity of care and type two diabetes.

Introduction: Continuity of care is one of the core principles of primary care. The importance of interpersonal continuity in treating diabetic patients is unclear.

Aim: To examine the association of interpersonal continuity of care, by the primary care physician, on the process of diabetic care and on health end points including diabetes control, hospital admissions and mortality.

Structured nursing follow-up: does it help in diabetes care?

Background: In 1995 Clalit Health Services introduced a structured follow-up schedule, by primary care nurses, of diabetic patients. This was supplementary care, given in addition to the family physician's follow-up care. This article aims to describe the performance of diabetes follow-up and diabetes control in patients with additional structured nursing follow-up care, compared to those patients followed only by their family physician.

Patient characteristics correlated with quality indicator outcomes in diabetes care.

Background: Quality indicators were adopted to compare quality of care across health systems.

Aim: To evaluate whether patient characteristics influence primary care physicians' diabetes quality indicators.

Design Of Study: Retrospective cohort study.

Statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy: a population-based case-control study.

Background: Gallstone disease is common in Western countries. Statins reduce biliary cholesterol secretion and have anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that they may play a role in reducing the incidence of surgically treated gallstone disease.

Aim: To examine a potential association between statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy.

Measurement of quality improvement in family practice over two-year period using electronic database quality indicators: retrospective cohort study from Israel.

Aim: To investigate the associations between family physicians' characteristics and the change in quality of health care indicators (QI) over a two-year period.

Methods: The retrospective cohort study included 161 (60.5%) of 266 family physicians who worked for the Clalit health fund in Israel in the period from January 2003 until December 2005.

Quality of diabetes care in the community: a cross-sectional study in central Israel.

Background: Good care of the diabetic patient reduces the incidence of long-term complications. Treatment should be interdisciplinary; in the last decade a debate has raged over how to optimize treatment and how to use the various services efficiently.

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of care of diabetic patients in primary care and diabetes clinics in the community in central Israel.

[Family practitioners' knowledge and attitudes towards various fields of non-conventional medicine].

Background: The common feature of the different varieties of non-conventional medicine (NCM) is the lack of recognition, complete or partial, given to them by the institutions of conventional medicine. Treating all varieties in the same way can cause confusion.

Aim: To investigate the knowledge and attitudes of family practitioners (FP) in the methods of NCM that are most commonly practiced in Israel.

Erectile dysfunction--the effect of sending a questionnaire to patients on consultations with their family doctor.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem among male adults that generally has been ignored by family practitioners.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the effect of a mailed questionnaire about ED on the readiness of patients to raise the subject with their family doctor.

Methods: The study population included all men aged 40 years and over on the patient list of a family practitioner.