Usefulness of electronic databases for the detection of unrecognized diabetic patients.

Background: Even mild hyperglycemia is associated with future acute and chronic complications. Nevertheless, many cases of diabetes in the community go unrecognized. The aim of the study was to determine if national electronic patient records could be used to identify patients with diabetes in a health management organization.

Prevalence of and change in the prescription of methylphenidate in Israel over a 2-year period.

Introduction: The use of methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased dramatically in the past decade in some countries in Europe and North America. In response to a public debate in Israel, several Knesset members introduced a legislative initiative that aims to limit the prescription of methylphenidate by physicians. The objective of this study was to examine the rate methylphenidate prescriptions dispensed for the treatment of ADHD in children in northern and central Israel in 1999 and 2001.

Patient and family physician preferences for care and communication in the eventuality of anthrax terrorism.

Background: The threat of bioterrorism consequent to the September 11, 2001 attack in the USA generated suggestions for improved medical response mainly through hospital preparedness.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of this period of tension on patients' first choice for care and for receiving relevant information, and on primary care doctors' feelings of responsibility in the eventuality of an anthrax attack.

Methods: During October 11-31, 2001, 500 patients from 30 clinics throughout Israel were asked to complete a questionnaire on their awareness of the anthrax threat, measures taken to prepare for it, and preferred sources of care and information.

[Driver drowsiness--are physicians at a special risk?].

Background: Sleepiness at the wheel is the main cause of approximately a fifth of road traffic accidents. The driver will often feel drowsy before the accident, therefore preventive measures can be taken in order to stay alert.

Aim: To estimate sleepiness among sleep deprived drivers and to explore methods they use to stay alert.

Use of hormone replacement therapy by menopausal women in six family-practice teaching clinics in Israel.

Background: The necessity of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains a controversial subject, but guidelines suggest that the subject be discussed with all menopausal women.

Aim: To determine the rate of HRT use among women cared for in family-practice, university-affiliated teaching clinics.

Methods: Physicians from six family-practice teaching clinics enrolled all menopausal patients, aged between 50 and 70 years, registered in their practice.

Awareness of personal healthcare and menopause in menopausal women in Israel.

Background: Menopause affects women's health and well-being, but their knowledge of proper care and maintenance is uncertain.

Objective: To assess the attitude and approach of the healthy, low risk, postmenopausal population in Israel to personal healthcare and menopause.

Methods: The study population comprised 500 menopausal women attending community outpatient primary care clinics.

[Family practitioners' knowledge and attitudes towards various fields of non-conventional medicine].

Background: The common feature of the different varieties of non-conventional medicine (NCM) is the lack of recognition, complete or partial, given to them by the institutions of conventional medicine. Treating all varieties in the same way can cause confusion.

Aim: To investigate the knowledge and attitudes of family practitioners (FP) in the methods of NCM that are most commonly practiced in Israel.

Baseline tests or screening: what tests do family physicians order routinely on their healthy patients?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to survey the attitudes of family doctors to the performance of baseline tests and to determine which doctors perform these tests.

Setting: Family physicians in a continuing medical education programme in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Method: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed focusing on performance of tests by doctors in healthy patients and not as part of a screening programme.

Managing obesity: a survey of attitudes and practices among Israeli primary care physicians.

Objectives: To document and assess Israeli family physicians' (FPs) knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the management of overweight and obesity.

Methods: Anonymous questionnaires were completed by 510 family physicians (82% compliance rate). The questionnaires were distributed in various continuous medical education sites of FPs in Israel.

The role of family physicians in increasing annual fecal occult blood test screening coverage: a prospective intervention study.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in israel. Unfortunately, compliance with annual fecal occult blood testing is very low.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of interventions to increase FOBT screening in primary care clinics in Israel.

Erectile dysfunction--the effect of sending a questionnaire to patients on consultations with their family doctor.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem among male adults that generally has been ignored by family practitioners.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the effect of a mailed questionnaire about ED on the readiness of patients to raise the subject with their family doctor.

Methods: The study population included all men aged 40 years and over on the patient list of a family practitioner.

Folk, traditional and conventional medicine among elderly Yemenite immigrants in Israel.

Background: Migration leads to changes in almost all areas of life including health. But how far are health beliefs also preserved, and how far are they affected by the process of acculturation to the host society?

Objectives: To examine the difference between behavior and attitudes towards conventional and traditional medicine among elderly Yemenite immigrants.

Methods: A community-based study was conducted in the Yemenite neighborhoods in the city of Rehovot.

Patients' attitudes towards the presence of medical students in family practice consultations.

Background: Patients' consent to being part of medical education is often taken for granted, both in primary and secondary care. Formal consent procedures are not used routinely during teaching and patients are not always aware of teaching activities.

Objective: To investigate patients' attitudes and expectations on issues of consent regarding participation in teaching in general practice, and the influence of a student's presence on the consultation.

Urinary incontinence in women: prevalence, characteristics and effect on quality of life. A primary care clinic study.

Background: Urinary incontinence in older women is common. Its characteristics and impact on quality of life is not well established since these women are usually reluctant to tell their healthcare providers about the problem.

Objective: To determine the characteristics of urinary incontinence in women and the manner in which it affects patients' quality of life.

[The influence of the presence of students on the consultation--attitudes of tutors in family medicine clinics].

Background: The consultation is the pivot of clinical teaching in ambulatory care. It is therefore essential that students observe the consultation. The students' presence itself influences the consultation and also requires the patients' consent.

Attitudes of Israeli family physicians toward clinical guidelines.

Background: Many clinical guidelines (CGs) have been written during the past few years. Although family physicians (FPs) stand to benefit from many of these CGs, incorporating new CGs into daily practice seems to present a challenge.

Objective: To evaluate Israeli FPs' attitudes toward CGs.

[Physicians' reminders promote annual fecal occult blood testing compliance].

Screening for the early detection of colorectal cancer using the fecal occult blood test has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality. In Israel family physicians recommend that their patients, aged 50-75, have the test performed annually. But compliance with testing in the general population has been poor.

[Referrals to an emergency department--are there differences between self-referrals and referrals from general practitioners?].

The Israeli health system has been undergoing major changes in recent years. Considerations of cost containment have led sick funds to open new out-of-hours services in the community to reduce visits to hospital emergency departments. Referred and self-referred visits to our emergency department during a 1-month period were studied.

[The new family physician in the clinic].

The content of all consultations of a family physician during the first 2 months in a new practice and again in the same 2 months, 2 years later were analyzed. The workload did not change between the 2 periods, but in the first period there were relatively more men over the age of 60 years, and a more marked predominance of women in the 45-59 year age-group. There were more follow-ups of pre-existing conditions during the first period, but in both periods the main reason for visits was an acute condition; a quarter of visits required only simple counseling without further investigation or prescribing of medication.

[Israeli family physicians' attitudes to clinical guidelines for treatment of diabetes].

Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements designed to help practitioners and patients make decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical states. Attitudes of family physicians to clinical guidelines for treating diabetes and guidelines in general were evaluated from anonymous questionnaires answered by physicians participating in continuous medical education throughout the country (May-June 1998). The questionnaire dealt with attitudes to the recently published specific guidelines for treating the diabetic patient and overall perception of the efficacy of clinical guidelines.

Israel under threat of biological warfare--the reactions of our patients during the 1998 Persian Gulf crisis.

Background And Objectives: During February 1998, there was heightened tension in the Persian Gulf area. Iraq's ruler, Saddam Hussein, threatened Israeli citizens with the use of biological weapons. This study observed the use of health care services by patients visiting our clinics during this period.

Home visits to the housebound patient in family practice: a multicenter study. Israeli General Practice Research Network.

Background: Most countries today are experiencing an accelerated pace of population aging. The management of the elderly housebound patient presents a special challenge to the family physician.

Objectives: To investigate a series of home visits to housebound patients, the therapeutic procedures used, the equipment needed, and the diagnostic conclusions reached.

A quality management project in Israeli navy primary care clinics.

The objective of this project was to establish a measurable process of continuous quality improvement of health care services in the Israeli naval primary care clinics. All navy clinics were surveyed at 6-month intervals. The quality of medical recording was evaluated, and instructive workshops were given on the matter.