AIM: To examine the on-farm biosecurity practices of a group of commercial Thoroughbred stud farms in the North Island of New Zealand, in the absence of an exotic disease outbreak. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of biosecurity practices was conducted during the 2006/2007 Thoroughbred breeding season, and consisted of data from ...

To assess effects of abolition of prescription copayments in Wales on rates of dispensing. Methods: General practice-level monthly dispensing data were compared before/after abolition between Wales and North East (NE) England where the charge was retained. Data for 14 medicines that had most items dispensed subject to charge before abolition ...

PURPOSE: To survey national variation in the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, particularly the timing of intervention and the use of nasolacrimal intubation, nasal endoscopy, and assistance from an ear, nose, and throat surgeon at different stages of management. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted of 100 ophthalmologists in ...

The objective was to conduct a survey of current fresh cow management practices that have an effect on health and diseases postpartum considering different herd sizes of commercial dairy farms. A mail survey regarding aspects of the fresh cow program including general management issues, calving, diseases, and veterinary service was ...

OBJECTIVES: To explore the current status of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the realm of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), and to determine the effects of a 1-day MSUS course on the awareness of physiatrists. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Congress, 2009, Istanbul. PARTICIPANTS: Physiatrists attending ...

OBJECTIVE: To identify UK practice in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism with particular reference to the pregnant population and to determine whether the 2003 British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines had influenced practice. METHOD: A postal survey was performed of all 249 nuclear medicine departments in the UK identified from ...

BACKGROUND: The use of oxytocin to prevent postpartum haemorrhage at elective caesarean section is largely based on evidence derived from vaginal births. Overseas studies indicate wide variation in practice with regard to specific doses of oxytocin administered at caesarean section. No such surveys have been undertaken in Australia or New ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine pediatrician implementation of BMI and provider interventions for childhood overweight prevention and treatment. METHODS: Data were obtained from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Periodic Survey of Fellows No. 65, a nationally representative survey of AAP members. Surveys that addressed the ...

Evidence-based practice involves complex and conscientious decision making based not only on the available evidence but also on patient characteristics, situations, and preferences. It recognizes that care is individualized and ever-changing and involves uncertainties and probabilities. The specialty of periodontics has abundant high-level evidence upon which treatment decisions can be ...

BACKGROUND: Relatively little is known about current practice during the third stage of labour in low and middle income countries. We conducted a survey of attitudes and an audit of practice in a large maternity hospital in Albania. METHODS: Survey of 35 obstetricians and audit of practice during the third ...

The field of medicine has moved toward best practices based on evidence. There is pressure on all medical disciplines, including forensic psychiatry, to adopt this approach. Some areas of forensic psychiatry have a stronger scientific basis that clearly fits the definition of evidence-based medicine than do other areas. One of ...

Our purpose was to determine pediatric endocrinologists' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABPs) regarding recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, examine care-related attitude consensus or discordance, and identify evidence-based practice gaps. We developed a survey for National Cooperative Growth Study (NCGS) investigators (N = 711) to elicit their KABPs regarding ...

BACKGROUND: Castration of male calves destined for beef production is a common management practice performed in the United States amounting to approximately 15 million procedures per year. Societal concern about the moral and ethical treatment of animals is increasing. Therefore, production agriculture is faced with the challenge of formulating animal ...

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery programmes (ERAS) are safe and have been shown to decrease the length of the hospital stay and complications following colorectal surgery. However implementation of ERAS requires dedicated resources. In addition, the practice of ERAS still varies between different surgeons and in different centres. AIM: The aim of ...

BACKGROUND: The knowledge and attitude of trainees toward the use of prediction rules in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is understudied. The extent of knowledge as far as imaging strategies in the setting of VTE and use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) among trainees is also understudied. METHODS: ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine obstetrician-gynecologists' practice patterns of cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) following the 2006 National Institutes of Health (NIH) State-of-the-Science conference on this topic, and compare them with those in their practice prior to the conference. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaires were mailed to 612 American College of Obstetricians and ...

The contribution of ethnic and religious minorities to Arabian and Islamic medicine and science was a major and powerful one, yet it is rarely acknowledged. When remembered, it is often inaccurately referred to as "Arabic" or "Islamic", contrary to its ethnic and religious origins and identity. The objective of this ...

BACKGROUND: The role of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in total joint replacement (TJR) surgery is well established. Whereas guidelines have been published in some countries, in Canada controversy persists concerning the best clinical practice for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in TJR. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 590 practising orthopedic surgeons performing ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine labor market characteristics of veterinary technician specialists (VTSs) during 2007 and identify characteristics significantly related to pay. DESIGN: Survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 163 VTSs. PROCEDURES: A 21-question, multiple-choice survey was sent in early May 2008 to all individuals (n = 345) who had been certified as VTSs and ...

We surveyed infectious diseases consultants to determine how they manage syphilis when there are insufficient data to guide management or when guidelines cannot be followed because of a lack of available definitive diagnostic tests. Most providers did not have access to dark-field microscopy. We found variation in management of syphilis, ...

HYPOTHESIS: The management options for proximal humeral fractures have expanded in recent years. Patients with displaced, unstable proximal humeral fractures may have improved outcomes if managed operatively. We investigated the decision making of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons when presented with the same group of cases. We hypothesized that interobserver and intraobserver ...

Some pharmaceutical tablets have an appearance that resembles that of ecstasy (a logo and often a name referring to it, a given shape and/or a colour). These are sometimes sold in the street as 'ecstasy'. In order to assess the knowledge of this phenomenon, surveys were conducted among designer drug ...

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a national survey to determine current practice for the management of whiplash injuries in UK emergency departments (ED). METHODS: Postal questionnaire survey. 316 lead consultants from all UK ED with annual new attendances of over 50 000 people were asked to indicate the use of a range ...

BACKGROUND: The introduction of limited explorations (LE) for parathyroidectomy broadened the management possibilities for hyperparathyroidism. We sought to document this evolution of change in parathyroid surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons were sent a 49-question survey, and 256 surgeons, ...

Veterinarians who graduated between 2000 and 2004, inclusive, were surveyed to determine the factors associated with career path (job) switching in the early postgraduate period. The sampling frame consisted of 348 veterinarians, 285 of whom were contacted and of these, 192 (67.4%) responded to the survey. Only 28.4% of respondents ...

BACKGROUND: It is well recognized that alcohol is a growing problem in the UK with significant morbidity and mortality and associated resource implications for the National Health Service (NHS). The inpatient management of alcohol withdrawal is felt to be variable between hospitals. The aim of this study was to assess ...

BACKGROUND: Decreased fetal movement (DFM) is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. However, there is limited research to inform practice in the detection and management of DFM. AIMS: To identify current practices and views of obstetricians in Australia and New Zealand regarding DFM. METHODS: A postal survey of ...

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) is more than a quarter of a century old; yet, very little is known about the career longevity of its practitioners. The purpose of our survey was to examine different aspects of career longevity in the clinical practice of PEM. METHODS: An electronic survey was ...

House dust mites (HDM) have been shown to produce allergens causing atopic allergies in human beings, known in medicine as house-dust-mite allergy or atopy. Over the past 25 years (1981-2006) a survey of dust samples from different places was made in the southern part of Poland, to determine the diversity ...

BACKGROUND: delirium is under-diagnosed and under-treated in comparison to other common and serious acute disorders. The reasons for this are unclear. OBJECTIVE: we conducted a multicentre survey of knowledge of and attitudes to delirium in trainee general physicians. DESIGN: questionnaire-based survey in 34 acute hospitals in the UK. METHODS: we ...

Feedlot consulting nutritionists were invited to participate in a survey of feedlot nutritional and management practices in Brazil. Thirty-one nutritionists completed the survey on a Web site that was designed for collection of survey data. The survey consisted of 94 questions that included general information (n = 10); commodity information ...

OBJECTIVES: To understand current laparoscopic entry practices among Canadian gynaecologists and to raise awareness of patient safety in accordance with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada clinical practice guideline, "Laparoscopic Entry: A Review of Techniques, Technologies, and Complications," published in May 2007. METHODS: A national survey was designed ...

Patient outcomes are significantly influenced by the choice of sedative and analgesic agents, the presence of over- or undersedation, poor pain control, and delirium. Individualized sedation management using sedation assessment tools, sedation protocols, and daily sedative interruption can improve clinical outcomes. Despite the publication of randomized trials and numerous guidelines, ...

(1) To define and characterize knowledge of effective hand hygiene and its scientific basis among practicing facial plastic surgeons; (2) to review the existing literature of, basis for, and guidelines on hand washing in clinical practice; and (3) to motivate and facilitate optimum hand hygiene among facial plastic surgeons. National ...

Ongoing declines in production of the world's fisheries may have serious ecological and socioeconomic consequences. As a result, a number of international efforts have sought to improve management and prevent overexploitation, while helping to maintain biodiversity and a sustainable food supply. Although these initiatives have received broad acceptance, the extent ...

In this report, we will discuss management and procedural aspects of perfusion practice. This report allows us to compare and contrast recent trends and changes in perfusion with historic practices. A survey comprised of 233 single-answer and 12 open-ended questions was sent by e-mail to senior perfusionists or individuals in ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe how various antimicrobials are used in commercial pig herds in Australia and for what disease conditions. PROCEDURE: Managers of large pig herds (> 200 sows) across Australia and their veterinarians participated in an internet-based survey in 2006. Questions were asked about herd management, the occurrence of bacterial ...

Management of central venous access devices is a complex nursing activity with the potential for serious complications. There are variations in the care and maintenance of these devices, between and within, hospitals. Building on previous literature reviews and audits, a postal survey was undertaken to inform review of practice guidelines. ...

OBJECTIVE: In the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), a patient whose seizures may be under control is placed in a medication-withdrawal situation to induce seizures for direct observation and recording. This withdrawal introduces patient risk. In addition, because the EMU is a complex medical and restrictive physical environment, other risks are ...

As medicine grows in complexity, it is imperative for physicians to update their knowledge base and practice to reflect current standards of care. Postgraduate training offers a golden opportunity for resident physicians to create a strong foundation of concepts in medicine. There is a need for assessing the knowledge of ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current practice of pediatric otolaryngologists on a national level and general otolaryngologists on a regional level regarding preoperative coagulation screening prior to adenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A five-question survey of members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) and the Massachusetts Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...

ABSTRACT Like dry eye disease 15 years ago, blepharitis today is a poorly defined condition about which there is considerable misunderstanding. For a variety of reasons, there is little good data on either the prevalence of blepharitis or how eyecare practitioners currently treat it. The work reported herein consists of ...

OBJECTIVE: Optimal management of isolated oligohydramnios (IO) remains debatable. We surveyed Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) members regarding their opinions and practice patterns. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaires were mailed to perinatologists across the US. IO was defined as sonographic low fluid (per the practitioner's definition) in the absence of intrauterine growth ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the 2007 Osteoarthritis Measurement in Routine Rheumatology Outpatient Practice survey was to describe practice styles, instrument usage, and perceptions of responder criteria and state-attainment criteria in osteoarthritis (OA) management in routine clinical rheumatology practice. METHODS: A 16-item questionnaire (65 subcomponents) was developed, pretested, revised, formatted, and ...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the provision of consumer medicines information in Australian community pharmacies. METHOD: Two methods were employed. One was an exit survey involving consumers just leaving a community pharmacy (n = 554). A total of 42 pharmacies from 6 states were selected randomly. Another was a telephone survey conducted ...

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the psychological effect of grievances and negligence litigation on doctors sued by Legal Medicine Organization Complaints Commissions. METHODS: Retrospective survey regarding the views of a large sample of Iranian sued physicians by using a piloted anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: The answer rate was 77.5%. Seventy-six per cent of ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variables underlying clinical decisions made by rheumatologists when treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to determine the effect of an educational seminar on the use of quantitative disease activity measurements in clinical practice in this population of physicians. METHODS: Practicing rheumatologists were surveyed on the ...

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic hemostasis is commonly practiced during GI endoscopy practice. We hypothesized that, because the choice of endoscopic intervention is influenced by many factors, for example personal experience, prior training, guidelines, etc., there would be differences in practice patterns among different groups of endoscopists. OBJECTIVE: To explore the potentially different ...

With reference to massive outbreaks of a variety of bark beetles occurring across the forests of western North America, it is stressed that an accurate assessment of the extent of the problem is the first step toward formulating effective adaptive management strategies. This assessment will only be possible through a ...

To assess perceptions of underrepresented minority (URM) and majority faculty physicians regarding an institution's diversity climate, and to identify potential improvement strategies. The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of tenure-track physicians at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from June 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005; they measured faculty ...