Cross-border contextualisation of family medicine curriculum: an examination of the process.

Objectives: This study explores a method of transferring a post graduate medical education curriculum internationally and contextualising it to the local environment. This paper also explores the experiences of those local medical educationalists involved in the process.

Methods: Several methods were implemented.

Psychological interventions for women with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. It is a distressing diagnosis and, as a result, considerable research has examined the psychological sequelae of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Breast cancer is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety and reduced quality of life.

Are Malaysian Type 2 Diabetes patients willing to be trained to speak to their offspring about risk of diabetes and preventive measures?

Background: Offspring of type 2 diabetes patients have an absolute risk of 20-40% of developing the condition. Type 2 diabetes patients should be encouraged to speak to their offspring regarding diabetes risk and prevention strategies. The Health Belief Model conceptualises that the higher the perceived risk, the more likely an individual will modify their behaviour.

Relationship between self-efficacy, self-care behaviour and glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Malaysian primary care setting.

Background: Self-efficacy has been shown to be positively correlated with self-care behaviour and glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, such evidence is lacking in the Malaysian primary care setting. The objectives of this study were to i) determine the levels of self-efficacy, self-care behaviour and glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Malaysian primary care setting ii) determine the relationship between self-efficacy, self-care behaviour and glycaemic control iii) determine the factors associated with glycaemic control.

Prepared to practice? Perception of career preparation and guidance of recent medical graduates at two campuses of a transnational medical school: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Graduating medical students enter the workforce with substantial medical knowledge and experience, yet little is known about how well they are prepared for the transition to medical practice in diverse settings. We set out to compare perceptions of medical school graduates' career guidance with their perceptions of preparedness to practice as interns. We also set out to compare perceptions of preparedness for hospital practice between graduates from two transnational medical schools.

Psychological interventions for women with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. It is a distressing diagnosis and, as a result, considerable research has examined the psychological sequelae of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Breast cancer is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety and reduced quality of life.

Stroke in Bahrain: rising incidence, multiple risk factors, and suboptimal care.

The incidence of stroke in Bahrain is rising in the Bahraini population and has nearly doubled over the last 16 years, while the incidence in the non-Bahraini population has not changed. Incidence of stroke in the Bahraini population (110/100,000) is now much greater than in the non-Bahraini population (27/100,000). The Bahraini stroke population is 10 years younger than Western comparators with a much higher prevalence of many of the risk factors for stroke, including diabetes (54%), hypertension (75%) and hyperlipidemia (34%).

Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The co-existence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and sickle cell disease (SCD) is rare. This study aimed to explore whether SCD patients have the same DM prevalence as the general population in a country with a high prevalence of DM.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included all SCD adult patients admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between 2003 and 2010 (n = 2,204).

Cultural sensitivity or professional acculturation in early clinical experience?

Aim: This study aimed to explore the early clinical experience of medical students following the adaptation of an Early Patient Contact curriculum from a European culture in Ireland to an Arab culture in Bahrain.

Methods: Medical students in Bahrain took part in an Early Patient Contact module modelled on a similar module from a partner medical school in Ireland. We used a qualitative approach employing thematic analysis of 54 student reflective logbooks.

Understanding the experiences and quality of life issues of Bahraini women with breast cancer.

We explored the experiences of Bahraini women who have survived breast cancer and their perception of quality of life after diagnosis. We conducted in depth, semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twelve women diagnosed with breast cancer. A qualitative method using semi-structured interviews on a purposive sample of 12 Bahraini women with breast cancer was conducted.

Impact of clinical inertia on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes.

Aims: To determine whether clinical inertia is associated with simpler interventions occurring more often than complex changes and the association between clinical inertia and outcomes.

Methods: Prevalence of clinical inertia over a 30 month period for hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia was calculated in a random sample (n=334) of patients attending a diabetes clinic. Comparisons between prevalence of clinical inertia and outcomes for each condition were examined using parametric tests of association.

Clinical audit of diabetes care in the bahrain defence forces hospital.

Objectives: Primary care audits in Bahrain have consistently revealed a failure to meet recognised standards of delivery of process and outcome measures to patients with diabetes. This study aimed to establish for the first time the quality of diabetes care in a Bahraini hospital setting.

Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted of a random sample of patients attending the Diabetes and Endocrine Center at the Bahrain Defence Forces Hospital over a 15-month period which ended in June 2010.

Beliefs and perceptions toward quitting waterpipe smoking among cafe waterpipe tobacco smokers in Bahrain.

Introduction: There is a rising prevalence of waterpipe smoking worldwide, but still a paucity of information on perceptions toward quitting waterpipe use. We set out to establish the beliefs and perceptions of café waterpipe smokers toward quitting waterpipe smoking in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Methods: A cross-sectional study.

Quality of life of Bahraini women with breast cancer: a cross sectional study.

Background: Breast cancer can impact survivors in many aspects of their life. Scarce information is currently available on the quality of life of cancer survivors in Bahrain. The objective of this study is to describe the quality of life of Bahraini women with breast cancer and its association with their sociodemographic and clinical data.

Patient generated "frequently asked questions": identifying informational needs in a RCT of peer support in type 2 diabetes.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to discuss the use of a system of patient generated "frequently asked questions" (FAQs) in order to gain insight into the information needs of participants.

Methods: FAQs generated during group meetings taking place in a randomized controlled trial of peer support in type 2 diabetes are described in terms of their frequencies and topic areas. Data from focus groups and semi-structured interviews concerning the FAQs was subjected to content analysis.

From prevention to nursing home care: a comprehensive national audit of stroke care.

Background: Many countries are developing national audits of stroke care. However, these typically focus on stroke care from acute event to hospital discharge rather than the full spectrum from prevention to long-term care. We report on a comprehensive national audit of stroke care in the community and hospitals in the Republic of Ireland.

Sharing control: user involvement in general practice based methadone maintenance.

Objectives: This study assessed patients' views of a methadone programme in a Dublin general practice including the degree to which the patients were 'involved in decisions about their treatment'.

Method: All patients receiving methadone were asked to participate. A face to face questionnaire, with open and closed questions, was administered.

A multidisciplinary primary care team consultation in a socio-economically deprived community: an exploratory randomised controlled trial.

Background: Psychosocial problems in socioeconomically deprived communities are not always amenable to traditional medical approaches. Mothers living in these areas are a particularly vulnerable group. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a lengthened multi-disciplinary team consultation in primary care in reducing anxiety and depression in mothers.

Cultural variations in attitudes towards family risk of diabetes.

Aims: To examine differences in attitudes and behaviours towards familial risk of type 2 diabetes in populations in Ireland and Bahrain.

Methods: Cross-sectional ecological study. Questionnaires were developed and administered to patients with diabetes and their first degree relatives in both Bahrain and Ireland.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study.

Background: CAM use is widespread, especially among patients with diabetes. The Gulf States have a high prevalence of diabetes, alongside a long tradition of CAM use. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of CAM use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain and to examine the characteristics of the CAM users.

Reducing health risk in family members of patients with type 2 diabetes: views of first degree relatives.

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes can have an important role in discussing health risk within families. This study aimed to establish the acceptability to first degree relatives towards their relative with type 2 diabetes intervening as health promoters in their own families, using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework for evaluation.

Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire design.

Is primary care a neglected piece of the jigsaw in ensuring optimal stroke care? Results of a national study.

Background: Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity with potential for improved care and prevention through general practice. A national survey was undertaken to determine current resources and needs for optimal stroke prevention and care.

Methods: Postal survey of random sample of general practitioners undertaken (N = 204; 46% response).

Will people with type 2 diabetes speak to family members about health risk?

Objective: This study aimed to assess the potential for communication of familial risk by patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A questionnaire was completed by a random sample of patients with type 2 diabetes registered with a hospital diabetes clinic.

Results: Two-thirds of patients (65%) had spoken to at least one sibling or child about diabetes risk.

Peer support in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial in primary care with parallel economic and qualitative analyses: pilot study and protocol.

Background: Diabetes is a chronic illness, which requires the individual to assume responsibility for their own care with the aim of maintaining glucose and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. Traditionally self-management training for diabetes has been delivered in a didactic manner. In recent times alternatives to the traditional delivery of diabetes care have been investigated, for example, the concept of peer support which emphasises patient rather than professional domination.

A randomised controlled trial of a lengthened and multi-disciplinary consultation model in a socially deprived community: a study protocol.

Background: There has been little development of the general practice consultation over the years, and many aspects of the present consultation do not serve communities with multiple health and social problems well. Many of the problems presenting to general practitioners in socio-economically disadvantaged areas are not amenable to a purely medical solution, and would particularly benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Socio-economic deprivation is also associated with those very factors (more psychosocial problems, greater need for health promotion, more chronic diseases, more need for patient enablement) that longer consultations have been shown to address.