Effect of accelerated rehabilitation on function after ankle sprain: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare an accelerated intervention incorporating early therapeutic exercise after acute ankle sprains with a standard protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation intervention.

Design: Randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessor.

Setting: Accident and emergency department and university based sports injury clinic.

Family communication, genetic testing and colonoscopy screening in hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer: a qualitative study.

Objective: Genetic testing and colonoscopy is recommended for people with a strong history of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, families must communicate so that all members are aware of the risk. The study aimed to explore the factors influencing family communication about genetic risk and colonoscopy among people with a strong family history of CRC who attended a genetic clinic with a view to having a genetic test for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC).

Some conservative strategies are effective when added to controlled mobilisation with external support after acute ankle sprain: a systematic review.

Questions: Which intervention(s) best augment early mobilisation and external support after an acute ankle sprain? What is the most appropriate method of preventing re-injury?

Design: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials published from 1993 to April 2005.

Participants: People with an acute ankle sprain.

Intervention: Any pharmacological, physiotherapeutic, complementary or electrotherapeutic intervention added to controlled mobilisation with external support.

General Practitioners involvement in enteral tube feeding at home: a qualitative study.

Background: Complex medical treatment is moving from hospital to primary care and General Practitioners (GPs) are increasingly asked to undertake new roles. There are now an estimated 19,500 patients being fed in the UK in the community on enteral tube feeding using a variety of different feeding tubes (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), Jejunostomy, or nasogastric (NG). The majority of patients are over the age of 65 years when they had artificial feeding initiated and mainly because of dysphagia.

Cancer genetics: consultants' perceptions of their roles, confidence and satisfaction with knowledge.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Genetic testing for susceptibility for common cancers is widely available. Cancer specialists and specialists in other areas may have a role in identifying and referring patients who would benefit from a consultation with a specialist in genetics. This study aimed to find out which consultants believed that genetic testing was relevant to their practice.

Caring for the oldest old.

As the population ages the costs of care will rise

Managing urinary tract infections in nursing homes: a qualitative assessment.

Objective: To elucidate the steps in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in elderly nursing home residents, in order to derive data which would assist in an economic evaluation of such infections.

Method: Maximum variation sampling was used to recruit General Practitioners (GPs) and nurses (who worked in nursing homes), into the study. Using semi-structured interviews, a topic guide was used to explore diagnosis, treatment and the role of GPs and nurses in the management of UTIs in nursing home residents.

Genetic consultations in primary care: GPs' responses to three scenarios.

Objective: This study investigated general practitioners' responses to three scenarios in which patients consulted regarding genetic conditions.

Design: Self-completed postal study. Setting.

Genetics and genetic testing: are GPs likely to attend training courses?

Background: GPs must make difficult screening and diagnostic decisions regarding genetic testing for different cancers. Educational programs may improve knowledge and enable more appropriate referral.

Methods: A postal survey of all general practitioners (GPs) in Northern Ireland (N = 534; response rate = 49.