Integration of a multicomponent intervention for hypertension into primary healthcare services in Singapore-A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite availability of clinical practice guidelines for hypertension management, blood pressure (BP) control remains sub-optimal (<30%) even in high-income countries. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a potentially scalable multicomponent intervention integrated into primary care system compared to usual care on BP control.

Methods And Findings: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 government clinics in Singapore.

What are the measures taken to prevent COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers? A retrospective study in a cluster of primary care clinics in Singapore.

Objective: To examine factors contributing to the low COVID-19 infectivity rate among healthcare workers in SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP), Singapore, from February to July 2020.

Design: Retrospective description, analysis and discussion of the factors and their contribution.

Setting: Single-institution study.

Assessment of willingness to Tele-monitoring interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension in the public primary healthcare setting.

Background: Tele-monitoring (TM) is remote monitoring of individuals via info-communication technology, enabling them and their relatives or care-providers to recognize their health status conveniently. TM will be successful only if the individuals, often patients with medical conditions, are willing to accept and adopt it in their daily lives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of willingness of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or hypertension towards the use of TM, and the factors influencing their uptake.

Accuracy of urinary symptoms and urine microscopy in diagnosing urinary tract infection in women.

Background: Women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) often present with urinary complaints such as frequency of micturition, dysuria, foul-smelling urine and other non-specific symptoms like fever. Physicians may order urine microscopy to guide empirical antibiotic prescription. However, the performance of this approach has not been assessed.