Evaluation of buccal swabs for pharmacogenetics.

Objective: A simple, non-invasive sample collection method is key for the integration of pharmacogenetics into clinical practice. The aim of this study was to gain samples for pharmacogenetic testing and evaluate the variation between dry-flocked and sponge-tipped buccal swabs in yield and quality of DNA isolated.

Results: Thirty-one participants collected samples using dry-flocked swabs and sponge-tipped swabs.

Introducing pharmacogenetic testing with clinical decision support into primary care: a feasibility study.

Background: Inappropriate prescribing increases patient illness and death owing to adverse drug events. The inclusion of genetic information into primary care medication practices is one solution. Our aim was to assess the ability to obtain and genotype saliva samples and to determine the levels of use of a decision support tool that creates medication options adjusted for patient characteristics, drug-drug interactions and pharmacogenetics.

Screening for lifestyle and mental health risk factors in the waiting room: feasibility study of the Case-finding Health Assessment Tool.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of administering the validated Case-finding Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) in Canadian family practice waiting rooms to identify risk factors for depression, anxiety, anger control,smoking, drinking, other drug use, gambling, exposure to abuse, and physical inactivity.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: One urban academic family practice and one inner-city community health centre in British Columbia.

Preventing diabetes in primary care: a feasibility cluster randomized trial.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of implementing a large-scale primary care-based diabetes prevention trial.

Methods: A feasibility cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in British Columbia, Canada, amongst adults with prediabetes using the Facilitated Lifestyle Intervention Prescription (FLIP) vs. usual care.

Content verification of the EORTC QLQ-C30/EORTC QLQ-BR23 with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to estimate the extent to which the content of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 goes beyond functioning and include global feeling of well-being.

Methods: Respectively, 21 and 13 healthcare professionals agreed to link the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 to the ICF. Mappers were asked to independently identify appropriate codes for the corresponding items of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 following standardized linking rules and methodology.

Genotype-guided drug prescribing: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Aim: Adverse drug events lead to increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. Pharmacogenetic testing that guides drug prescribing has the potential to reduced adverse drug events and increase drug effectiveness. Our aim was to quantify the clinical effectiveness of genotype-guided prescribing.

Pedometer-facilitated walking intervention shows promising effectiveness for reducing cancer fatigue: a pilot randomized trial.

Objective: Mechanisms for cancer related fatigue suggest that exercise but "not too much and not too little" could be effective. This study aimed to investigate feasibility and estimate the potential effects of a walking exercise program in people with advanced cancer and fatigue.

Design: A pilot randomized trial.

Assessing Physical Therapy Students' Performance during Clinical Practice.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) instrument to assess physiotherapy students' clinical competencies.

Methods: A convenience sample of clinical educators (CEs) and students from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, completed the instrument currently in use, the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT-CPI), and the APP. A cross-sectional survey of CEs and physiotherapy students was conducted from 2011 to 2012; the survey included questions worded to elicit opinions about the two instruments when used in the clinical environment with students at different stages of training.

Program evaluation of a model to integrate internationally educated health professionals into clinical practice.

Background: The demand for health professionals continues to increase, partially due to the aging population and the high proportion of practitioners nearing retirement. The University of British Columbia (UBC) has developed a program to address this demand, by providing support for internationally trained Physiotherapists in their preparation for taking the National Physiotherapy competency examinations.The aim was to create a program comprised of the educational tools and infrastructure to support internationally educated physiotherapists (IEPs) in their preparation for entry to practice in Canada and, to improve their pass rate on the national competency examination.

Impact of lymphoedema on arm function and health-related quality of life in women following breast cancer surgery.

Objective: To estimate the extent to which the impairments associated with lymphoedema (volume increase, local oedema and sensory alteration) are linked to arm dysfunction and sub-optimal health-related quality of life.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study, embedded within a pilot for an epidemiologic study, was undertaken involving women who had undergone surgery for unilateral stage I or II breast cancer. Two questionnaires (a lymphoedema screening questionnaire and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) were mailed and 72 of 204 responders reported having one or more symptoms of lymphoedema (prevalence 35%).