Effect on the process of care of an active strategy to implement clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the effect on the process of care of an active strategy to implement clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain.

Design: A cluster randomised controlled trial comparing an active strategy with standard dissemination.

Setting: Primary care physiotherapy practices.

Participants: 113 physiotherapists were randomly allocated to receive the guidelines by mail (control group) or to receive an additional active strategy (intervention group) which consisted of a multifaceted programme including education, discussion, role playing, feedback, and reminders.

Main outcome measures: Adherence to the guidelines was measured by means of individual patients' forms recording the treatment completed by the physiotherapist. The forms were assessed using an algorithm based on the number of treatment sessions, treatment goals, interventions, and patient education.

Results: Physiotherapists in the intervention group more often correctly limited the number of treatment sessions for patients with a normal course of back pain (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.12 to 5.12), more often set functional treatment goals (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.06 to 3.72), more often used mainly active interventions (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.19 to 6.55), and more often gave adequate patient education (OR 3.59; 95% CI 1.35 to 9.55). They also adhered more to all four criteria (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.15 to 3.65).

Conclusions: The active strategy moderately improved adherence to the guidelines. Active strategies are recommended to implement the clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain.

     

Short-term educational intervention improves family physicians' knowledge of depression

INTRODUCTION: Depression is frequently unrecognized and undertreated. Therefore, there is a need to increase the knowledge and skills of primary care physicians regarding management of depression. The aim of this study was to determine if a brief educational intervention can affect family physicians' knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of depression. METHOD: Sixty-eight community-based, nonacademic family physicians completed the program, which was delivered using a mixed lecture-seminar format. Knowledge about depression was assessed pre- and post-program. Paired-sample t test and chi-square test were used to compare test scores. RESULTS: Although study physicians demonstrated high baseline knowledge of depression, 75% of them had better scores following the program. The increase in knowledge was statistically significant (p < .0001). DISCUSSION: Our study demonstrates that a simple and brief educational program can enhance family physicians' knowledge of depression; however, an increase in knowledge alone may not necessarily translate into practice behavior change.     

Systematic Review of Interdisciplinary Interventions in Nursing Homes

BackgroundThe role of interdisciplinary interventions in the nursing home (NH) setting remains unclear. We conducted a systematic evidence review to study the benefits of interdisciplinary interventions on outcomes of NH residents. We also examined the interdisciplinary features of successful trials, including those that used formal teams.Data SourcesMedline was searched from January 1990 to August 2011. Search terms included residential facilities, long term care, clinical trial, epidemiologic studies, epidemiologic research design, comparative study, evaluation studies, meta-analysis and guideline.Study SelectionWe included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of interdisciplinary interventions conducted in the NH setting.MeasurementsWe used the Cochrane Collaboration tools to appraise each RCT, and an RCT was considered positive if its selected intervention had a significant positive effect on the primary outcome regardless of its effect on any secondary outcome. We also extracted data from each trial regarding the participating disciplines; for trials that used teams, we studied the reporting of various team elements, including leadership, communication, coordination, and conflict resolution.ResultsWe identified 27 RCTs: 7 had no statistically significant effect on the targeted primary outcome, 2 had a statistically negative effect, and 18 demonstrated a statistically positive effect. Participation of residents’ own primary physicians (all 6 trials were positive) and/or a pharmacist (all 4 trials were positive) in the intervention were common elements of successful trials. For interventions that used formal team meetings, presence of communication and coordination among team members were the most commonly observed elements.ConclusionOverall interdisciplinary interventions had a positive impact on resident outcomes in the NH setting. Participation of the residents’ primary physician and/or a pharmacist in the intervention, as well as team communication and coordination, were consistent features of successful interventions.     

Secondary depression in weaned alcoholics: implications of Lesch's typology of chronic alcoholism

Schuckit (1983) described two types of alcohol-related depression:(1) the common type, in which secondary depression disappearswithout treatment within the first few weeks of abstinence;(2) a less frequent type, primary depression, requiring specifictreatment. It is difficult to anticipate whether an alcoholicpatient needs antidepressive treatment or whether depressionwill remit spontaneously. A potential guide to differentiatedepressed alcoholic patients who might need specific treatmentfor depression could be the typology of Lesch et al. (1990).Based on . . . [Full Text of this Article]ConclusionFOOTNOTESREFERENCES     

Integrated management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression treatment to improve medication adherence: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Depression commonly accompanies diabetes, resulting in reduced adherence to medications and increased risk for morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to examine whether a simple, brief integrated approach to depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) treatment improved adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents and antidepressant medications, glycemic control, and depression among primary care patients.

METHODS

We undertook a randomized controlled trial conducted from April 2010 through April 2011 of 180 patients prescribed pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes and depression in primary care. Patients were randomly assigned to an integrated care intervention or usual care. Integrated care managers collaborated with physicians to offer education and guideline-based treatment recommendations and to monitor adherence and clinical status. Adherence was assessed using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). We used glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) assays to measure glycemic control and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression.

RESULTS

Intervention and usual care groups did not differ statistically on baseline measures. Patients who received the intervention were more likely to achieve HbA_1c levels of less than 7% (intervention 60.9% vs usual care 35.7%; P <.001) and remission of depression (PHQ-9 score of less than 5: intervention 58.7% vs usual care 30.7%; P <.001) in comparison with patients in the usual care group at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A randomized controlled trial of a simple, brief intervention integrating treatment of type 2 diabetes and depression was successful in improving outcomes in primary care. An integrated approach to depression and type 2 diabetes treatment may facilitate its deployment in real-world practices with competing demands for limited resources.     

Local clinical guidelines: description and evaluation of a participative method for their development and implementation

BACKGROUND: National guidelines are rarely followed by immediate changein clinical behaviour. We present our experience of an activeeducational method for local development and implementationof a guideline. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a participative method fordeveloping local clinical guidelines. METHODS: A trial in a district of the effect of guideline developmentincorporating active participation of intended recipients onsubsequent relevant prescribing. It was carried out in WirralFamily Health Services Authority district (the Wirral peninsula)comprising 69 general practices covering a population of 345763. An exemplar guideline on ‘hypertension in the elderly’was developed by the method described. The principal recommendeddrug was bendrofluazide 2.5 mg once daily. The differences inprescribed daily doses (PDD) of bendrofluazide 2.5 mg tabletsper quarter per 1000 prescribing units (age-weighted population)between the intervention district and England as a whole wasmeasured. RESULTS: Comparison of the intervention district with England data demonstratesa median difference of 122.49 PDD before and 206.34 PDD afterguideline production, this change is statistically highly significant(Mann-Whitney two-tailed P < 0.0001; 95% CL = 36.51–104.77).Grouped regression analysis shows no significant difference(0.89) in slope gradients before guideline production (P = 0.35,95% CL = –3.97–5.76), but the difference in slopegradients after (12.95) is statistically highly significant(P < 0.0001; 95% CL = 8.17–17.73). The data suggeststhat the change in clinical behaviour persisted for at leasttwo years. CONCLUSION: Participation of intended recipient general practitioners andlocal specialists in the development of a guideline by an activeeducational method as described was followed by a favourablechange in clinical behaviour which persisted for at least twoyears. Keywords. Clinical guidelines, development, evaluation, implementation, participation.     

Teleconferenced educational detailing: diabetes education for primary care physicians

INTRODUCTION: Formal didactic continuing medical education (CME) is relatively ineffective for changing physician behaviour. Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly prevalent disease, and interventions to improve adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are needed. METHODS: A stratified, cluster-randomized, controlled trial design was used to evaluate the effects of a teleconferenced educational detailing (TED) CME on glycemic control (hemoglobin [Hb] A1c) and family physician adherence to national diabetes guidelines. TED employed sequential, small-group, case-based education using CPGs delivered by a diabetes specialist. Medical record audit data from baseline through the end of a 12-month postintervention period were compared for the control and intervention groups. Satisfaction with the intervention was evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one physicians provided 660 medical records. The intervention did not affect mean Hb A1c levels but did significantly (p = .04) alter the distribution of patients by category of glycemic control, with fewer in the intervention group in inadequate control (15.8% versus 23.9%). More patients took insulin (alone or with oral agents) in the intervention group (21.2% versus 12.0%, p = .03), and more took oral agents only in the control group (89.0% versus 82.9%, p = .005). More patients in the intervention group had documentation of body mass index (7.8% versus 1.9%, p < .02), eye exam (12.1% versus 5.1%, p = .02), and treatment plan (43.5% versus 23.6%, p = .01) and used a flow sheet (14.6% versus 7.7%, p < .03). Although there was general satisfaction with the teleconferencing format, specialist educators found the format more challenging than the family physicians. DISCUSSION: CME delivered by teleconference was feasible, well attended, well received by participants, and improved some key diabetes management practices and outcomes.     

Depression treatment in primary care

BACKGROUND: Depression costs the United States dollars 40 billion annually. Primary care physicians play a key role in the identification and treatment of depression. This study focused on the treatment options recommended by physicians and whether physicians were following the recommended treatment guidelines. METHODS: We recorded treatment recommendations by examining charts for all patients with newly detected depression. The patients were from 44 family medicine practitioners and 23 general internal medicine practitioners in a Midwest university medical center setting. RESULTS: For both medical specialties combined, pharmacotherapy was the most widely used intervention (recommended for 52% of patients), whereas psychotherapy alone was the least frequently used intervention (recommended for 4% of patients). Family medicine practitioners recommended combination treatment (pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy) more frequently than did general internal medicine practitioners (P = .022), and female physicians recommended combination treatment more frequently than did male physicians (P = .010). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacotherapy was found to be the most widely used treatment despite current evidence-based recommendations. Barriers to effective treatment plan are discussed. The implications for mental health interventions, combination therapy, and cost offset are also discussed. Further research exploring the negotiation process during the patient-provider encounter would shed light on patient and physician factors influencing treatment decisions.     

Effectiveness of an Intervention to Enhance Occupational Physicians’ Guideline Adherence on Sickness Absence Duration in Workers with Common Mental Disorders: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose Evidence-based guidelines in occupational health care improve the quality of care and may reduce sickness absence duration. Notwithstanding that, guideline adherence of occupational physicians (OPs) is limited. Based on the literature on guideline implementation, an intervention was developed that was shown to effectively improve self-reported adherence in OPs. The aim of present study was to evaluate whether this intervention leads to earlier return to work (RTW) in workers with common mental disorders (CMD). Methods In a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial, 66 OPs were randomized. The trial included 3379 workers, with 1493 in the intervention group and 1886 in the control group. The outcome measures were: time to full RTW, time to first RTW, and total hours of sickness absence. Cox regression analyses and generalized linear mixed model analyses were used for the evaluations. Results The median time to RTW was 154 days among the 3228 workers with CMD. No significant differences occurred in (time to) full RTW between intervention and control group HR 0.96 (95% CI 0.81–1.15) nor for first RTW HR 0.96 (95% CI 0.80–1.15). The mean total hours of sickness absence was 478 h in the intervention group and 483 h in the control group. Conclusions The intervention to enhance OPs’ guideline adherence did not lead to earlier RTW in workers with CMD guided by the OPs. Possible explanations are the remaining external barriers for guideline use, and that perceived guideline adherence might not represent actual guideline adherence and improved care.Trail registration: ISRCTN86605310.     

Mejora de la efectividad en el manejo del riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 en atención primaria

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of the implementation of a guidelines in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients (type 2 diabetes) in health centres, and to analyse the appropriateness of antihypertensive and antiplatelet treatment in diabetic patients.DesignQuasi-experimental, non-randomised, prospective study with concurrent control group.PlacementTwo health centres in Málaga.ParticipantsGeneral practitioners of the two centres.InterventionsThe guideline was implemented through a multifaceted intervention in family physicians in the experimental centre.Main outcomesRate of cardiovascular risk assessment in high risk population. Secondary: appropriateness of antihypertensive and antiplatelet treatment.ResultsLarge differences were detected in the cardiovascular risk assessment, improving in the experimental group (74.36% vs. 7.63%; RR=9.74; 95% CI, 5.15–18.43; P=.0001). Similarly, the antiplatelet use was more in line with the guidelines recommendations in the intervention group (51.28% vs. 36.44%; RR=1.407; 95% CI, 1.04–1.89; P=.026), and in antihypertensive drugs, although with no statistical significance (80% vs. 66.27%; RR=1.207; 95% CI, 0.99–1.46).ConclusionsA multifaceted intervention for the implementation of a guideline for the management of high risk cardiovascular patients, improves the adherence to effective interventions by family physicians.     

The LIFESTYLE study: costs and effects of a structured lifestyle program in overweight and obese subfertile women to reduce the need for fertility treatment and improve reproductive outcome. A randomised controlled trial

Background

In the Netherlands, 30% of subfertile women are overweight or obese, and at present there is no agreement on fertility care for them. Data from observational and small intervention studies suggest that reduction of weight will increase the chances of conception, decrease pregnancy complications and improve perinatal outcome, but this has not been confirmed in randomised controlled trials. This study will assess the cost and effects of a six-months structured lifestyle program aiming at weight reduction followed by conventional fertility care (intervention group) as compared to conventional fertility care only (control group) in overweight and obese subfertile women. We hypothesize that the intervention will decrease the need for fertility treatment, diminish overweight-related pregnancy complications, and will improve perinatal outcome.

Methods/Design

Multicenter randomised controlled trial in subfertile women (age 18-39 year) with a body mass index between 29 and 40 kg/m². Exclusion criteria are azoospermia, use of donor semen, severe endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, endocrinopathies or pre-existent hypertensive disorders. In the intervention group the aim is a weight loss of at least 5% to10% in a six-month period, to be achieved by the combination of a diet, increase of physical activity and behavioural modification. After six months, in case no conception has been achieved, these patients will start fertility treatment according to the Dutch fertility guidelines. In the control group treatment will be started according to Dutch fertility guidelines, independently of the patient's weight.

Outcome measures and analysis

The primary outcome measure is a healthy singleton born after at least 37 weeks of gestation after vaginal delivery. Secondary outcome parameters including pregnancy outcome and complications, percentage of women needing fertility treatment, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, body weight, quality of life and costs. Data will be analysed according to the intention to treat principle, and cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed to compare the costs and health effects in the intervention and control group.

Discussion

The trial will provide evidence for costs and effects of a lifestyle intervention aiming at weight reduction in overweight and obese subfertile women and will offer guidance to clinicians for the treatment of these patients.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register NTR1530     

A troubled youth: Relations with somatization, depression and anxiety in adulthood

BACKGROUND: Childhood experiences profoundly affect later functioning asan adult. Family practitioners are well-placed to discover thelinks between childhood troubles and later somatization, depressionor anxiety. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the interrelation of somatization, depressiveand anxiety disorders in frequently attending patients in generalpractice; to investigate whether these problems are relatedto a childhood history of illness experiences, deprivation,life events and abuse; and to determine the independent contributionsof these childhood factors to the prediction of adult somatization,depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS: One hundred and six adult general practice patients with highconsultation frequency were studied. Somatization was operationalizedas a more comprehensive version of DSM-III-R somatization disorder(5 complaints; SSI 5/5). For depression (ever depressive and/ordysthymic) and anxiety (panic, phobias and/or generalized anxiety)DSM-III-R criteria were used. Using a structured questionnairewe assessed illness experiences, deprivation of parental care,abuse (sexual/physical) and other life events before age 19. RESULTS: The overlap between somatization, depression and anxiety waslargely accounted for by 16 patients with a triple problem:somatization and depression and anxiety. Somatization was specificallyrelated to deprivation, depression to other life events. Abuse(prevalence 16%) independently predicted psychiatric problemsin general. Youth experiences before age 12 were most important. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of triple problems suggests a need to reconsiderconcepts like somatic anxiety and anxious depression. The specificityof the relation between deprivation and somatization and ofthe relation between other life events and depression indicatesthat distinct causal mechanisms (in youth) contribute to theseproblems. Keywords. Parental deprivation, child abuse, somatoform disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders.     

A randomized trial to reduce the prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior in older primary care patients

PURPOSE

We wanted to determine whether an educational intervention targeting general practitioners reduces the 2-year prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior among their older patients.

METHODS

Our study was a cluster randomized controlled trial conducted between July 2005 and June 2008. We recruited 373 Australian general practitioners and 21,762 of their patients aged 60 years or older. The intervention consisted of a practice audit with personalized automated audit feedback, printed educational material, and 6 monthly educational newsletters delivered over a period of 2 years. Control physicians completed a practice audit but did not receive individualized feedback. They also received 6 monthly newsletters describing the progress of the study, but they were not offered access to the educational material about screening, diagnosis and management of depression, and suicide behavior in later life. The primary outcome was a composite measure of clinically significant depression (Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥10) or self-harm behavior (suicide thoughts or attempt during the previous 12 months). Information about the outcomes of interest was collected at the baseline assessment and again after 12 and 24 months. We used logistic regression models to estimate the effect of the intervention in a complete case analysis and intention-to-treat analysis by imputed chain equations (primary analysis).

RESULTS

Older adults treated by general practitioners assigned to the intervention experienced a 10% (95% CI, 3%–17%) reduction in the odds of depression or self-harm behavior during follow-up compared with older adults treated by control physicians. Post hoc analyses showed that the relative effect of the intervention on depression was not significant (OR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83–1.03), but its impact on self-harm behavior over 24 months was (OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68–0.94). The beneficial effect of the intervention was primarily due to the relative reduction of self-harm behavior among older adults who did not report symptoms at baseline. The intervention had no obvious effect in reducing the 24-month prevalence of depression or self-harm behavior in older adults who had symptoms at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Practice audit and targeted education of general practitioners reduced the 2-year prevalence of depression and self-harm behavior by 10% compared with control physicians. The intervention had no effect on recovery from depression or self-harm behavior, but it prevented the onset of new cases of self-harm behavior during follow-up. Replication of these results is required before we can confidently recommend the roll-out of such a program into normal clinical practice.     

Improving quality of care for depression: the German Action Programme for the implementation of evidence-based guidelines.

ISSUE: Depressive disorders are of great medical and political significance. The potential inherent in achieving better guideline orientation and a better collaboration between different types of care is clear. Throughout the 1990s, educational initiatives were started for implementing guidelines. Evidence-based guidelines on depression have been formulated in many countries. PURPOSE: This article presents an action programme for structural, educational, and research-related measures to implement evidence-based care of depressive disorders in the German health system. The starting points of the programme are the 'Guidelines Critical Appraisal Reports' of the 'Guideline Clearing House' and measures from the 'Competence Network on Depression and Suicidality' (CNDS) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The article gives an overview of the steps achieved as recommended by the Guidelines Critical Appraisal Reports and the ongoing transfer process into the German health care system. RESULTS: The action programme shows that comprehensive interventions to develop and introduce evidence-based guidelines for depression can achieve benefits in the care of depression, e.g. in recognition, management, and clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: It was possible to implement the German Action Programme in selected care settings, and initial evaluation results suggest some improvements. The action programme provides preliminary work, materials, and results for developing a future 'Disease Management Programme' (DMP) for depression.     

抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率指标评价体系的构建与应用研究

目的 基于过程指标及结果指标构建住院患者抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率的评价体系, 研究其应用效果。 方法 选取某三级甲等综合性医院2022年7月—2023年6月治疗性使用抗菌药物的住院患者为研究对象, 比较实施住院患者抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率的评价体系干预前(2022年7—12月, 对照组)与干预后(2023年1—6月, 干预组)过程指标及结果指标的差异。 结果 治疗性使用抗菌药物的住院患者干预组为41 577例, 对照组为27 052例, 干预组病原学送检率及病原学送检正确率均较对照组提升(分别为74.2% VS 62.8%、90.3% VS 82.5%), 差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.001)。病原学送检率目标达成率为237.5%, 进步率为18.2%。病原学送检正确率目标达成率为104.0%, 进步率为9.5%。过程指标中, 干预组病原学标本送检诊断符合率、病原学标本采集正确率、病原学标本转运及时率、病原学标本接收率均较对照组提升, 差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.001)。结果指标中, 干预组指向性指标送检率、血培养标本送检率、限制级抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率、特殊级抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率、无菌体液标本送检率均较对照组提升, 差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。此外, 血培养标本阳性率由干预前的18.5%提高至干预后的21.7%, 差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。 结论 构建指标评价体系, 可以提升抗菌药物治疗前病原学送检率及送检正确率, 改善指标的管理质量与内涵。     

Improving antimicrobial use in the hospital setting by providing usage feedback to prescribing physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether feedback on antimicrobial use improves physician compliance with local hospital guidelines on antimicrobial prescribing. DESIGN: In this time series analysis, in which a historical control period was compared with an intervention period, all orders for antimicrobials (except those for surgical prophylaxis) placed from November 1, 2002, through April 30, 2004, were prospectively evaluated by an antimicrobial management team (AMT) for compliance with local hospital guidelines. During the control period, orders were evaluated to determine compliance with hospital guidelines before and after recommendations by the AMT were provided to physicians. Feedback was given for the second 9-month period in the form of a weekly report to prescribing physicians, a monthly hospital newsletter, and a quarterly report to various hospital committees. During the intervention period, orders were evaluated to determine compliance with hospital guidelines before and after recommendations by the AMT were provided to physicians. SETTING: The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a 110-bed facility, in Louisville, Kentucky. PARTICIPANTS: Internal medicine physicians and general surgeons. RESULTS: A total of 2,807 antimicrobial courses were evaluated. Compliance with hospital guidelines before AMT recommendations was 70% during the control period and 74% during the intervention period (P=.02). Compliance after AMT recommendations was 90% during the control period and 93% during the intervention period (P< or =.01). CONCLUSION: The use of feedback had a significantly favorable impact on physician compliance with the hospital's guidelines on antimicrobial prescribing. Use of feedback should be added to the list of interventions that promote appropriate antimicrobial use in the hospital setting.     

Out-of-hours primary care: development of indicators for prescribing and referring

Background. Dutch general practitioners have reorganized their out-of-hoursprimary health care to general practice cooperatives. Good insightinto the quality of delivered medical care is important to makethe accountability of health practitioners and managers transparentto society and to identify and minimize medical errors. Objective. Development of a set of quality indicators for internal qualityimprovement in out-of-hours primary clinical care. Method. A systematic approach combining the opinion of three differentgeneral practitioner expert panels, and an empirical test indaily practice. The indicators were based on clinical, evidence-based,national guidelines. We tested the validity, feasibility, reliabilityand opportunity for quality improvement. Results. Of the 80 available national clinical guidelines, 29 were approvedand selected by the first general practitioner expert panel.Out of these 29 guidelines, 73 indicators concerning prescribingand referring were selected by the second panel. In an empiricaltest on 36 254 patient contacts, 7344 patient contacts (22.7%)were relevant for the assessment of these 73 indicators. Sixindicators were excluded because they scored more than 15% missingvalues. In total, 38 indicators were excluded because the opportunityfor quality improvement was limited (performance score 90%).In the final meeting, the third general practitioner expertpanel excluded five indicators, leading to a final set of 24indicators. Conclusion. This study shows the importance of subjecting indicators toan empirical test in practice. The national clinical guidelinesare only partially applicable in the assessment of out-of-hoursprimary care. They need to be expanded with topics that arerelated to general practitioner care in an out-of-hours settingand acute medical problems.     

The Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on Depression in Adults with Cardiometabolic Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomised Control Trials

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids′ concurrent benefits for cardiometabolic and mental health are equivocal. Despite lack of evidence, up to a third of adults consume Omega-3 supplements. No review has yet been published to report effect on depression in this cardiometabolic population. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of double-blinded, controlled randomised trials to investigate the safety and effect of Omega-3 supplementation on depression scores in people with cardiometabolic diseases. Primary outcome was change in depression scores versus placebo. Secondary outcomes were side-effects, concurrent medication and adherence. Results: Seven trials reporting on 2575 (672 female) adults aged 39–73 were included. Omega-3 dosages ranged from 1–3 g with an intervention duration of 10–48 weeks. Six out of seven trials found no statistically or clinically significant change to depression scores compared to placebo. One trial favoured intervention (Relative Risk Reduction: 47.93%, 95% CI: 24.89–63.98%, p < 0.001). Sub-analyses showed clinically meaningful reductions in depression scores for those on antidepressants (Intervention: 20.9 (SD: 7.1), Placebo: 24.9 (SD: 8.5) p < 0.05) or with severe depression (−1.74; 95% CI −3.04 to −0.05, p < 0.05) in two separate trials. Side effects were comparable between treatment arms. Conclusions: Omega-3 supplementation is safe to use but not superior to placebo for depression in adults with concurrent cardiometabolic disease.     

A feasible model for prevention of functional decline in older home-dwelling people--the GP role. A municipality-randomized intervention trial

Background. Danish municipalities are required by state lawto offer two annual home visits to all non-disabled citizens75 years. Visits are primarily carried out by district nurses.GPs are rarely directly involved. Objective. To evaluate the effects of offering an educationalprogramme to home visitors and GPs on mortality, functionalability and nursing home admissions among home-dwelling olderpeople. Methods. Design: Municipality pair-matched randomized trial. Setting: Danish primary care. Subject: 2863 home-dwelling 75-year-olds and 1171 home-dwelling80-year-olds living in 34 municipalities. Intervention: Home visitors received regular education for aperiod of 3 years. In nine of 17 intervention municipalities,GPs participated in one small group training session duringthe first year. Main outcome measures: Mortality, functional ability and nursinghome admission during 4 years of follow-up. Results. Intervention was not associated with mortality. Homevisitor education was associated with reduction in functionaldecline among home-dwelling 80-year-olds after the three interventionyears in municipalities where GPs accepted and participatedin small group-based training. Effects did not persist afterthe intervention ended. When analyses were restricted to baselinenon-disabled persons, intervention was associated with beneficialeffects on functional ability after three intervention yearsamong 80-year-olds, regardless of education was given to homevisitors alone or to visitors and GPs. Nursing home admissionrates were lower among the 80-year-olds living in the interventionmunicipalities. Conclusion. A brief, practicable interdisciplinary educationalprogramme for primary care professionals postponed functionaldecline in non-disabled 80-year-old home-dwelling persons. Keywords. Education, municipality intervention, older people, preventive home visits, primary care.     

Awareness of acute kidney injury risk factors and perspectives on its practice guidelines

Objectives: Identifying and assessing risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) are crucial for its early detection and possible intervention to prevent AKI and associated adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate AKI risk factor awareness and risk assessment by healthcare professionals and to evaluate perspectives on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes AKI guidelines.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among healthcare professionals (physicians and pharmacists) at XXX from December 2016 to February 2017.

Results: Among the respondents (117 physicians and 135 pharmacists), 78% were aged ≤38 years, 57% were men, and 70% had <9 years of experience. Respondents varied in their knowledge of the 25 risk factors for AKI and 15 nephrotoxic drugs: 96% were aware of nephrotoxic medication, whereas 20% acknowledged female sex as an AKI risk factor, and 92% agreed with aminoglycoside, while 47% agreed with ciprofloxacin as nephrotoxic drugs. A significantly higher percentage of physicians identified individual AKI risk factors than pharmacists; however, a significantly higher percentage of pharmacists identified individual AKI-causing drugs than physicians. Although 77% of respondents encountered AKI cases in their practice, only half of them performed AKI risk assessment, and 42% stratified patients’ AKI risk according to their presenting risk factors or documented AKI in previous medical history. Seventy-one percent of respondents agreed that practice guidelines improve patient outcome, and 69% thought these guidelines help standardize care and ensure that patients are treated in consistently.

Conclusion: While the majority of the respondents had a positive perspective toward AKI guidelines, a large variation in their knowledge of AKI risk factors, risk assessment, and nephrotoxic drugs was found. Educational efforts are needed to raise awareness and thereby reduce this variation.