Do clinicians understand the size of treatment effects? A randomized survey across 8 countries.

Background: Meta-analyses of continuous outcomes typically provide enough information for decision-makers to evaluate the extent to which chance can explain apparent differences between interventions. The interpretation of the magnitude of these differences - from trivial to large - can, however, be challenging. We investigated clinicians' understanding and perceptions of usefulness of 6 statistical formats for presenting continuous outcomes from meta-analyses (standardized mean difference, minimal important difference units, mean difference in natural units, ratio of means, relative risk and risk difference).

Cross-Sectional Validation of a Quality of Life Questionnaire in Spanish for Patients Allergic to Hymenoptera Venom.

Introduction And Objectives: The first quality of life questionnaire for Vespula-allergic patients (Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire [VQLQ) was developed in 2002. Our objective was to perform the cross-sectional validation of the Spanish version of this questionnaire.

Patients And Methods: Using the original English-language version of the VQLQ as a starting point, the Spanish translation and cultural adaptation were performed and the first Spanish version was backtranslated into English and discussed with the authors of the original version.

Prevalence of asthma and severity of allergic rhinitis comparing 2 perennial allergens: house dust mites and Parietaria judaica pollen.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly prevalent worldwide disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life and health care costs. Asthma and AR may be part of the same disease, with AR leading to an increased risk of asthma.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of asthma in patients with AR due to house dust mites (HDMs) or Parietaria judaica and analyze the characteristics of asthma and AR in each group.

Medical students' perceptions and attitudes about family practice: a qualitative research synthesis.

Background: During the last decade medical students from most Western countries have shown little interest in family practice. Understanding the factors that influence medical students to choose family medicine is crucial.

Objective: To systematically review and synthesize published evidence about medical students' attitudes and perceptions towards family practice.