Ethnic differences in the reliability and validity of a Panic Disorder Screen.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability and validity of the Brief Panic Disorder Screen (BPDS) in samples of African American and Caucasian American primary care patients.

Methods: The BPDS was administered to 295 patients scheduled to visit a primary care clinic for medical reasons. The presence or absence of a panic disorder diagnosis was established during a clinical interview with a psychiatrist.

Planning for pharmacy health information technology in critical access hospitals.

Purpose: A plan for the implementation of medication-related health information technology (HIT) in 12 critical access hospitals (CAHs) to improve safety and reduce medication errors is described.

Summary: Interviews were conducted to assess the status of HIT in 12 CAHs, including HIT needs and desires and barriers to HIT adoption. Two conferences were held as part of the planning process.

Medication safety infrastructure in critical-access hospitals in Florida.

Purpose: The medication safety infrastructure of critical-access hospitals (CAHs) in Florida was evaluated.

Methods: Qualitative assessments, including a self-administered survey and site visits, were conducted in seven of nine CAHs between January and June 2003. The survey consisted of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Medication Safety Self-assessment, the 2003 Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations patient safety goals, health information technology (HIT) questions, and medication-use-process flow charts.

Effect of clinical breast examination training on practitioner's perceived competence.

Effective clinical breast exam (CBE) training should not only improve screening technique but also reduce barriers to performing CBE by increasing perceived competence and self-efficacy. Using the vertical strip technique with silicone breast models and live patients, 4-day CBE training sessions were provided to 34 nurse-practitioners. Trainees perceived a significant decrease in the size of breast lesion they could detect after training (P < 0.