Objectives-To ascertain changes in drug treatment ofelderly patients after discharge from hospital and to identify areas of communication which may require improvement.

No abstract

SUMMARY This study evaluated two different methods of providing practice‐based, antibiotic prescribing feedback to general practitioners (GPs). The impact of face‐to‐face Prescribing discussion visits led by a pharmaceutical prescribing adviser were compared to the provision of practice specific prescribing analysis workbooks. Sixty‐six practices within one Family Health Services Authority were randomly stratified into one of two groups (Group 1: visits: Group 2: workbooks). The 23 practices who did not wish to participate were used as a self selected control group (Group 3). Twelve months after the start of the programme, visits were extended to Group 2 and Group 3. Prescribing patterns were evaluated using five prescribing indicators, before and at 12 and 24 months after the start of the programme. Analysis of practice prescribing patterns at 12 months demonstrated that the desired changes in the selected five indicators were greater in Group 1 than Group 2 or Group 3; changes were statistically significant for indicators 5, 4 and 2 in each group, respectively. After 24 months all groups demonstrated significant changes in five indicators. Face‐to‐face visits proved the most successful of the two methods to influence GP prescribing, although the workbook promoted more change than that seen in the control group.

<p>Genuine cross-cultural competency in health requires the effective integration of traditional and contemporary knowledge and practices. This paper outlines an analytical framework that assists patients/clients, providers, administrators, and policy-makers with an enhanced ability to make appropriate choices, and to find pathways to true healing while ensuring that the required care is competently, safely and successfully provided. Examples presented are primarily based on experience of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC), which serves a diverse, primarily Anishinabe population living in 32 Northern Ontario communities spread over 385,000 sq. km. SLMHC has a specific mandate, among Ontario hospitals, to provide a broad set of services that address the health and cultural needs of a largely Aboriginal population. We will outline our journey to date towards the design and early stages of implementation of our comprehensive minoyawin1 model of care. This includes an evaluation of the initial outcomes. This model focuses on cross-cultural integration in five key aspects of all of our services:</p><ul><li>Odabidamageg (governance and leadership).</li><li>Wiichi’iwewin (patient and client supports).</li><li>Andaw’iwewin (traditional healing practices).</li><li>Mashkiki (traditional medicines).</li><li>Miichim (traditional foods).</li></ul>The paper outlines a continuum of program development and implementation that has allowed core elements of our programming to be effectively integrated into the fabric of all that we do. Outcomes to date are identified, and potentially transferable practices are identified.

Following the reclassification of chloramphenicol there have been significant increases in the supply of the ophthalmic antibacterials in both England and Wales.