Perceptions of Barriers to Patient Participation: Are They Due to Language, Culture, or Discrimination?

Previous research has shown that ethnic minority patients participate less during medical encounters than patients from majority populations. Given the positive outcomes of active patient participation, such as higher understanding of information and better treatment adherence, interventions are required to enhance ethnic minority patients' participation levels. However, little is known about what patients perceive as barriers hindering their participation.

Effectiveness of post-exposition prophylaxis with oseltamivir in nursing homes: a randomised controlled trial over four seasons.

Background: Oseltamivir has been registered for use as post-exposition prophylaxis (PEP) following exposure to influenza, based on studies among healthy adults. Effectiveness among frail elderly nursing home populations still needs to be properly assessed.

Methods: We conducted a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of PEP with either oseltamivir (75 mg once daily) or placebo among nursing home units where influenza virus was detected; analysis was unblinded.