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  1. Price D, David-Wang A, Cho SH, Ho JC, Jeong JW, Liam CK, et al.
    J Asthma, 2016 09;53(7):761-9.
    PMID: 27096388 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2016.1141951
    OBJECTIVE: We examined the physician perspectives on asthma management in Asia.

    METHODS: An online/face-to-face, questionnaire-based survey of respiratory specialists and primary care physicians from eight Asian countries/region was carried out. The survey explored asthma control, inhaler selection, technique and use; physician-patient communications and asthma education. Inclusion criteria were >50% of practice time spent on direct patient care; and treated >30 patients with asthma per month, of which >60% were aged >12 years.

    RESULTS: REALISE Asia (Phase 2) involved 375 physicians with average 15.9(±6.8) years of clinical experience. 89.1% of physicians reporting use of guidelines estimated that 53.2% of their patients have well-controlled (GINA-defined) asthma. Top consideration for inhaler choice was asthma severity (82.4%) and lowest, socio-economic status (32.5%). Then 54.7% of physicians checked their patients' inhaler techniques during consultations but 28.2(±19.1)% of patients were using their inhalers incorrectly; 21.1-57.9% of physicians could spot improper inhaler techniques in video demonstrations. And 79.6% of physicians believed combination inhalers could increase adherence because of convenience (53.7%), efficacy (52.7%) and usability (18.9%). Initial and follow-up consultations took 16.8(±8.4) and 9.2(±5.3) minutes, respectively. Most (85.1%) physicians used verbal conversations and least (24.5%), video demonstrations of inhaler use; 56.8% agreed that patient attitudes influenced their treatment approach.

    CONCLUSION: Physicians and patients have different views of 'well-controlled' asthma. Although physicians informed patients about asthma and inhaler usage, they overestimated actual usage and patients' knowledge was sub-optimal. Physician-patient interactions can be augmented with understanding of patient attitudes, visual aids and ancillary support to perform physical demonstrations to improve treatment outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  2. Leong SL, Teoh SL, Fun WH, Lee SWH
    Eur J Gen Pract, 2021 Dec;27(1):198-210.
    PMID: 34334095 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2021.1954616
    BACKGROUND: Task shifting is an approach to help address the shortage of healthcare workers through reallocating human resources but its impact on primary care is unclear.

    OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of reviews describing task shifts from physicians to allied healthcare workers in primary care and its impact on clinical outcomes.

    METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched up to 15 December 2020, to identify reviews describing task shifting in primary care. Two reviewers independently screened the references for relevant studies, extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of included reviews using AMSTAR-2.

    RESULTS: Twenty-one reviews that described task shifting in primary care were included. Task shifted include provision of care for people with chronic conditions, medication prescribing, and health education. We found that task shifting could potentially improve several health outcomes such as blood pressure, HbA1c, and mental health while achieving cost savings. Key elements for successful implementation of task shifting include collaboration among all parties, a system for coordinated care, provider empowerment, patient preference, shared decision making, training and competency, supportive organisation system, clear process outcome, and financing.

    CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that allied healthcare workers such as pharmacists and nurses can potentially undertake substantially expanded roles to support physicians in primary care in response to the changing health service demand. Tasks include providing care to patients, independent prescribing, counselling and education, with comparable quality of care.

    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care*
  3. Qureshi N, Da Silva MLR, Abdul-Hamid H, Weng SF, Kai J, Leonardi-Bee J
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2021 Oct 07;10(10):CD012985.
    PMID: 34617591 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012985.pub2
    BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia is a common inherited condition that is associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, resulting from high levels of cholesterol since birth, can be prevented by starting lipid-lowering therapy. However, the majority of patients in the UK and worldwide remain undiagnosed. Established diagnostic criteria in current clinical practice are the Simon-Broome and Dutch Lipid Clinical network criteria and patients are classified as having probable, possible or definite familial hypercholesterolaemia.

    OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of healthcare interventions strategies to systematically improve identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings compared to usual care (incidental approaches to identify familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings).

    SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register. Date of last search: 13 September 2021. We also searched databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) as well as handsearching relevant conference proceedings, reference lists of included articles, and the grey literature. Date of last searches: 05 March 2020.  SELECTION CRITERIA: As per the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group guidelines, we planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI). Eligible NRSI were non-randomised controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, controlled before-and-after studies, and interrupted-time-series studies. We planned to selected studies with healthcare interventions strategies that aimed to systematically identify people with possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia, in primary care and other community settings. These strategies would be compared with usual care or no intervention. We considered participants of any age from the general population who access primary care and other community settings.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors planned to independently select studies according to the inclusion criteria, to extract data and assess for risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence (according to the GRADE criteria). We contacted corresponding study authors in order to obtain further information for all the studies considered in the review.

    MAIN RESULTS: No eligible RCTs or NRSIs were identified for inclusion, however, we excluded 28 studies.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are no RCTs or controlled NRSI evidence to determine the most appropriate healthcare strategy to systematically identify possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care or other community settings. Uncontrolled before-and-after studies were identified, but were not eligible for inclusion. Further studies assessing healthcare strategies of systematic identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia need to be conducted with diagnosis confirmed by genetic testing or validated through clinical phenotype (or both).

    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  4. Samsudin I, Vasikaran SD
    Clin Biochem Rev, 2017 Apr;38(2):59-68.
    PMID: 29332972
    Procalcitonin (PCT), regarded as a biomarker specific for bacterial infections, is used in a variety of clinical settings including primary care, emergency department and intensive care. PCT measurement aids in the diagnosis of sepsis and to guide and monitor antibiotic therapy. This article gives a brief overview of PCT and its use in guiding antibiotic therapy in various clinical settings, as well as its limitations. PCT performance in comparison with other biomarkers of infection in particular CRP is also reviewed. Owing to its greater availability, CRP has been widely used as a biomarker of infection and sepsis. PCT is often reported to be more superior to CRP, being more specific for sepsis and bacterial infection. PCT starts to rise earlier and returns to normal concentration more rapidly than CRP, allowing for an earlier diagnosis and better monitoring of disease progression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  5. Mohd Sidik S, Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F
    Br J Gen Pract, 2011 Jun;61(587):e326-32.
    PMID: 21801511 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp11X577990
    Background: This is the first study investigating Anxiety among women attending a primary care clinic
    in Malaysia.
    Aim: The objective was to determine the factors associated with anxiety among these women.
    Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a government-funded primary care clinic in Malaysia. Consecutive female patients attending the clinic during the data-collection period were invited to participate in the study.
    Method: Participants were given self-administered questionnaires, which included the validated Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7) Malay version to detect anxiety.
    Results: Of the 1023 patients who were invited, 895 agreed to participate (response rate 87.5%). The prevalence of anxiety in this study was 7.8%, based on the GAD-7 (score ≥8). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that certain stressful life events and the emotional aspect of domestic violence were significantly associated with anxiety (P<0.05).
    Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety among women in this study is similar to that found in other countries.
    Factors found to be associated with anxiety, especially issues on domestic violence, need to be addressed andmanaged appropriately.
    Keywords: anxiety; Malaysia; prevalence; primary care; women.
    Questionnaire: Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale; GAD-7 (Malay version); Hark questionnaire
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data
  6. Liew SM, Tong SF, Lee VK, Ng CJ, Leong KC, Teng CL
    Br J Gen Pract, 2009 Dec;59(569):916-20.
    PMID: 19712544 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp09X472250
    Non-attendance results in administrative problems and disruption in patient care. Several interventions have been used to reduce non-attendance, with varying degree of success. A relatively new intervention, text messaging, has been shown to be as effective as telephone reminders in reducing non-attendance. However, no study has looked specifically at using text messaging reminders to reduce non-attendance in chronic disease care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data*
  7. Abd Hamid MF, Abdul Razak S, Azraai AM, Miptah HN
    Am J Case Rep, 2023 Nov 10;24:e941089.
    PMID: 37946402 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941089
    BACKGROUND The article discusses an unusual case of papillary thyroid carcinoma in which chronic cough and hemoptysis were the predominant symptoms. While the more common causes of hemoptysis are pulmonary in origin, extrapulmonary etiologies have been reported, including thyroid carcinoma. The clinical presentation of thyroid malignancy in this case mimics many other common disorders, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hence, making it challenging to suspect early when patients present to primary care. CASE REPORT A 54-year-old woman presented with a chronic cough and hemoptysis in our Primary Care Medicine Clinic. While initial assessments in the primary care medicine clinic yielded no remarkable findings, a subsequent high-resolution computed tomography scan of the thorax uncovered a thyroid lesion. Subsequent evaluation in the hospital setting included an ultrasound examination, revealing multiple thyroid nodules, and fine needle aspiration that confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma. She underwent total thyroidectomy with central and left lateral neck dissection, complicated by left vocal cord palsy. She received 2 cycles of periodic radioactive iodine therapy and injection laryngoplasty postoperatively. There was no evidence of iodin avid disease and recurrence of hemoptysis after surgery. CONCLUSIONS This case report emphasizes the significance of considering papillary thyroid carcinoma when assessing hemoptysis in the primary care setting, as early detection and treatment of it would result in a better outcome.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  8. Kamal A, Kanchau JD, Shahuri NS, Mohamed-Yassin MS, Baharudin N, Abdul Razak S, et al.
    Am J Case Rep, 2023 Apr 27;24:e939489.
    PMID: 37185657 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939489
    BACKGROUND In Malaysia, the prevalence of genetically confirmed heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was reported as 1 in 427. Despite this, FH remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care. CASE REPORT In this case series, we report 3 FH cases detected in primary care due to mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein-B (APOB), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genes. The mutations in case 1 (frameshift c.660del pathogenic variant in LDLR gene) and case 2 (missense c.10579C>T pathogenic variant in APOB gene) were confirmed as pathogenic, while the mutation in case 3 (missense c.277C>T mutation in PCSK9 gene) may have been benign. In case 1, the patient had the highest LDL-c level, 8.6 mmol/L, and prominent tendon xanthomas. In case 2, the patient had an LDL-c level of 5.7 mmol/L and premature corneal arcus. In case 3, the patient had an LDL-c level of 5.4 mmol/L but had neither of the classical physical findings. Genetic counseling and diagnosis were delivered by primary care physicians. These index cases were initially managed in primary care with statins and therapeutic lifestyle modifications. They were referred to the lipid specialists for up-titration of lipid lowering medications. First-degree relatives were identified and referred for cascade testing. CONCLUSIONS This case series highlights different phenotypical expressions in patients with 3 different FH genetic mutations. Primary care physicians should play a pivotal role in the detection of FH index cases, genetic testing, management, and cascade screening of family members, in partnership with lipid specialists.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  9. Bin Ahmad MZ, Mat Nasir N, Md Yasin M, Yusof ANM, Bakrin IH, Lim SC
    Am J Case Rep, 2023 May 19;24:e940148.
    PMID: 37202915 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.940148
    BACKGROUND This case illustrates the challenges in diagnosing linear scleroderma (LS) in a child who presented to a primary care setting. Diagnosis of LS is easily missed due to the lack of prominent symptoms, subtle visible skin changes, and under-recognition of this condition. CASE REPORT A 7-year-old boy presented with a linear, painless, non-itchy rash at the center of his forehead, which has been present for 6 months. The rash extends vertically from the hairline to the bridge of the nose. The color gradually evolved from reddish to purplish-grey and shiny within 3 months. He had underlying eczema, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis since birth. His condition remained unrecognized despite consultations with various medical specialties, including family medicine specialist, ophthalmologist, otorhinolaryngologist, and a general pediatrician. Six months after the onset of his lesion, he was subsequently referred to a pediatric dermatologist and pediatric rheumatologist, who made the diagnosis of LS. Laboratory investigations for autoimmune disease showed that negative antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and inflammatory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were normal. Skin biopsy provided a tissue confirmation of the diagnosis. MRI of the lesion showed no extension into the underlying muscle or bone erosions. The patient was initially treated with intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone for 3 days, followed by oral methotrexate weekly and prednisolone. The lesion improved after 1 month of treatment, and after 15 months it was less pigmented and less noticeable. CONCLUSIONS LS is the commonest form of localized scleroderma in children. LS on the forehead can erode into the underlying tissues and is sometimes associated with extensive hemifacial atrophy. Treatment should be instituted early to prevent late irreversible fibrotic sequelae. This report aims to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of an uncommon but potentially disfiguring condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  10. Abu Hussain SM, Shibraumalisi NA, Miptah HN, Mohamad Ali ND, Yahaya MY, Ramli AS
    Am J Case Rep, 2023 Jul 30;24:e940600.
    PMID: 37516905 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.940600
    BACKGROUND Tarlov cysts are rare, with a prevalence of 3.3% in the Asian population, and symptomatic cases are even rarer. Here, we report a case of a young woman with multiple Tarlov cysts presenting in primary care with severe low back pain. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old Malay woman presented to a primary care clinic with sudden-onset, severe, and persistent low back pain for 1 week, affecting her activities of daily living (ADL), especially as a medical student, as she could not stand for more than 10 minutes. There were no other associated symptoms or recent trauma prior to the onset of back pain. Examinations revealed para-vertebrae muscle tenderness and restricted movements at the L4/L5 lumbosacral spine. A plain radiograph of the lumbosacral spine showed sclerosis and erosion of the right pedicle at the L4/L5 levels. Tuberculosis and haematological tests were normal. A lumbosacral MRI of the spine was ordered and the patient was urgently referred to the orthopaedic spine team. The MRI confirmed the diagnosis of multiple Tarlov cysts, with the dominant cyst located at the S2 level. Her symptoms and ADL improved with conservative management. She is being monitored closely by the orthopaedic team and primary care physician. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights red flag symptoms, ie, sudden-onset, severe, and persistent low back pain, that warrant further investigation. Tarlov cysts should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Close monitoring is vital and early surgical intervention is indicated if symptoms worsen, to prevent potential irreversible nerve damage.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  11. Lamberts H, Meads S, Wood M
    Soz Praventivmed, 1985;30(2):80-7.
    PMID: 4002871
    The Reason for Encounter Classification (RFEC) was designed by a WHO Working Party to classify the reasons why patients seek care at the primary care level. It is designed along two axes: Chapters and Components. Each chapter carries an alpha-code which is the first character of the basic 3-character alphanumeric code. Each chapter is subdivided into seven "components" carrying 2-digit numeric codes. The field trial was undertaken by family physicians and nurses in: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Hungary, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway and the US. 90497 RFE's were analysed. Their distribution over the chapters and components characterize the content of international primary care. Listings with the most common RFE's in the participating countries reflect the cultural differences. It is concluded that the RFEC is not only feasible to classify reasons why patients seek care but also to classify the diagnosis and the process of primary care. As a result of this, the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) succeeds the RFEC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  12. Hajizadeh A, Heath L, Ahmad A, Kebbe M, Jebb SA, Aveyard P, et al.
    Soc Sci Med, 2023 Jul;329:115997.
    PMID: 37327596 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115997
    Clinical trials have shown that providing advice and support for people with excess weight can lead to meaningful weight loss. Despite this evidence and guidelines endorsing this approach, provision in real-world clinical settings remains low. We used Strong Structuration Theory (SST) to understand why people are often not offered weight management advice in primary care in England. Data from policy, clinical practice and focus groups were analysed using SST to consider how the interplay between weight stigma and structures of professional responsibilities influenced clinicians to raise (or not) the issue of excess weight with patients. We found that general practitioners (GPs) often accounted for their actions by referring to obesity as a health problem, consistent with policy documents and clinical guidelines. However, they were also aware of weight stigma as a social process that can be internalised by their patients. GPs identified addressing obesity as a priority in their work, but described wanting to care for their patients by avoiding unnecessary suffering, which they were concerned could be caused by talking about weight. We observed tensions between knowledge of clinical guidelines and understanding of the lived experience of their patients. We interpreted that the practice of 'caring by not offering care' produced the outcome of an absence of weight management advice in consultations. There is a risk that this outcome reinforces the external structure of weight stigma as a delicate topic to be avoided, while at the same time denying patients the offer of support to manage their weight.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  13. Mubarak AR, Barber JG
    Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2003 Jul;38(7):380-4.
    PMID: 12861444 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-003-0645-0
    Background: The present research aims to study the association between emotional expressiveness of primary care-givers and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.
    Method: The data for the present study were collected from 174 purposively selected patients with schizophrenia and their primary care-givers. The Quality of Life Interview (QOLI) (Lehman 1988) was used to collect information related to the quality of life of patients. The care-givers‘ emotional expressiveness was assessed using three questions on home environment from Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO/DAS) (WHO 1988).
    Results: Three components of emotional expressiveness were included in the present research, namely, emotional involvement, control and attitude of rejection. Among these three components, emotional involvement of key care-givers was found to have a significant association with quality of life of schizophrenia patients.
    Conclusion: Based on this result, the present study argues that emotional involvement of key care-givers needs careful attention while planning psychosocial rehabilitation programmes aimed at enhancing the quality of life of schizophrenia patients.
    Keywords: emotional expression – quality of life – schizophrenia – emotional involvement – community – Asia
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  14. Ismail M, Teng CL, Teng CL, Omar M, Ho BK, Kusiar Z, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2013 Jul;54(7):391-5.
    PMID: 23900469
    INTRODUCTION: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been underutilised. We conducted an open-label, randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of introducing SMBG in primary care clinics in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This was an open-label, randomised controlled trial conducted in five public primary care clinics in Malaysia. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age range 35-65 years) not performing SMBG at the time of the study were randomised to receive either a glucometer for SMBG or usual care. Both groups of patients received similar diabetes care from the clinics.

    RESULTS: A total of 105 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Of these, 58 and 47 were randomised to intervention and control groups, respectively. After six months, the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement of 1.3% (p = 0.001; 95% confidence interval 0.6-2.0), relative to the control group that underwent usual care. The percentages of patients that reached the HbA1c treatment target of ≤ 7% were 14.0% and 32.1% in the control and intervention groups (p = 0.036), respectively.

    CONCLUSION: The usage of a glucometer improved glycaemic control, possibly due to the encouragement of greater self-care in the intervention group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care*
  15. Mohd Sidik S, Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F, Ahmad R
    Singapore Med J, 2012 Jul;53(7):468-73.
    PMID: 22815016
    Depression affects more women than men in Malaysia. The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among women attending a government primary care clinic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/organization & administration
  16. Lim KK, Sivasampu S, Khoo EM
    Singapore Med J, 2015 May;56(5):291-7.
    PMID: 25597751 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2015019
    As the population ages, the prevalence of hypertension also increases. Although primary care is usually the patient's first point of contact for healthcare, little is known about the management of hypertension among elderly patients at the primary care level. This study aimed to determine the antihypertensive prescription trend for elderly patients, the predictors of antihypertensive use and any inappropriate prescribing practices in both public and private primary care settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care
  17. Chan GC
    Singapore Med J, 2005 Mar;46(3):127-31.
    PMID: 15735877
    A study was conducted at primary healthcare level in the Melaka Tengah district of Malaysia to determine whether hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were managed according to guidelines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/methods; Primary Health Care/standards*
  18. Wong SL, Lee PY, Ng CJ, Hanafi NS, Chia YC, Lai PS, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2015 Sep;56(9):518-22.
    PMID: 26451055 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2015137
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which primary care doctors assessed patients newly diagnosed with hypertension for the risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) during the patients' first clinic visit for hypertension. The study also aimed to examine the trend of assessment for CVD risk factors over a 15-year period.
    METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January and May 2012. Data was extracted from the paper-based medical records of patients with hypertension using a 1:4 systematic random sampling method. Data collected included CVD risk factors and a history of target organ damage (TOD), which were identified during the patient's first visit to the primary care doctor for hypertension, as well as the results of the physical examinations and investigations performed during the same visit.
    RESULTS: A total of 1,060 medical records were reviewed. We found that assessment of CVD risk factors during the first clinic visit for hypertension was poor (5.4%-40.8%). Assessments for a history of TOD were found in only 5.8%-11.8% of the records, and documented physical examinations and investigations for the assessment of TOD and secondary hypertension ranged from 0.1%-63.3%. Over time, there was a decreasing trend in the percentage of documented physical examinations performed, but an increasing trend in the percentage of investigations ordered.
    CONCLUSION: There was poor assessment of the patients' CVD risk factors, secondary causes of hypertension and TOD at their first clinic visit for hypertension. The trends observed in the assessment suggest an over-reliance on investigations over clinical examinations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/methods*
  19. Chan GC, Tang SF
    Singapore Med J, 2006 Apr;47(4):266-70.
    PMID: 16572235
    INTRODUCTION: A study was carried out in a primary healthcare clinic in the Hulu Langat district of Malaysia to assess the parental knowledge, attitudes and antibiotic use for common childhood acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
    METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 421 parents, who were surveyed by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, from April to June 2001.
    RESULTS: Approximately 59 percent of parents from this study believed that weather was the main cause of acute URTI of their children, 13 percent thought it was due to food, and only about 27 percent said it was caused by germs. Nearly 68 percent, 69 percent and 76 percent of them believed that antibiotics was helpful in treating the common cold, cough and fever, respectively. 29 percent of parents who thought that their child with acute URTI needed antibiotics were not prescribed with any. On the other hand, 17 percent believed that antibiotics were unnecessary when prescribed. 28 percent of parents had requested for antibiotics, and 93 percent received what they requested for their child with acute URTI. About 31 percent of parents who did not request any antibiotics claimed that private general practitioners habitually prescribed antibiotics. The antibiotic compliance was poor with only 74 percent completing the entire course, with 85 percent of them stopping once they improved symptomatically. 15 percent of parents gave "leftover" antibiotics, 24 percent gave "shared" antibiotics, and 5.5 percent bought antibiotics for their child with acute URTI without consulting a doctor.
    CONCLUSION: This study shows that parents often have inadequate knowledge and misconceptions on antibiotic use for acute URTI in children. Improved parental education may reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescription and antimicrobial resistance in the community.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Batu 9, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/utilization*
  20. Ooi CY, Hanafi NS, Liew SM
    Singapore Med J, 2019 Nov;60(11):596-604.
    PMID: 30644527 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2019011
    INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2008 (1.23 million cases, 9.7%). CRC screening was shown to be effective in reducing 70% of CRC mortality. However, the screening rate for CRC remains poor.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among primary care physicians (PCPs) in public primary care clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 30-item self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice of CRC screening.

    RESULTS: The response rate was 86.4% (n = 197/228). Less than half (39.1%) of the respondents answered correctly for all risk stratification scenarios. Mean knowledge score on CRC screening modalities was 48.7% ± 17.7%. The knowledge score was positively associated with having postgraduate educational qualification and usage of screening guidelines. Overall, 69.9% of PCPs reported that they practised screening. However, of these, only 25.9% of PCPs screened over 50% of all eligible patients. PCPs who agreed that screening was cost-effective (odds ratio [OR] 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.69‒6.59) and those who agreed that they had adequate resources in their locality (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.01‒3.68) were more likely to practise screening. Knowledge score was not associated with the practice of screening (p = 0.185).

    CONCLUSION: Knowledge and practice of CRC screening was inadequate among PCPs. Knowledge of screening did not translate into its practice. PCPs' perceptions about cost-effectiveness of screening and adequate resources were important determinants of the practice of screening.

    Matched MeSH terms: Primary Health Care/organization & administration*
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