scholarly journals Patients' knowledge of their lithium therapy

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 740-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Anderson ◽  
K. Sowerbutts

Aims and methodUsing a semi-structured questionnaire, we surveyed the patients attending an out-patient affective disorders clinic, enquiring about their knowledge of their lithium therapy.ResultsThe response rate was 68%. In general, the level of knowledge relating to their own treatment was good, however we were able to identify particular areas of deficiency in their theoretical knowledge.Clinical implicationsThe only factor we could identify which had a significant effect on patients' level of knowledge was having received education on lithium in more than one form.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde M. Duduyemi ◽  
Divine Lardey Agyemang ◽  
Ernest Adankwah ◽  
Hannah Nyarko ◽  
Derrick Andoh

Abstract Background Cancer is the leading cause of death with 7.6 million deaths worldwide annually. About 19% of bladder cancer cases are attributed to environmental and occupational factors. The knowledge of any disease is very vital in the control or prevention of such disease. This study examined the knowledge and perception of urinary bladder cancer among 104 local dye workers in Ghana (Kumasi, Koforidua and Somanya). Methods A well-structured questionnaire was used to measure participants’ knowledge and perception towards bladder cancer. Forty out of the 104 participants were recruited to provide their urine samples for cytomorphological study. Thin smears were prepared and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Respondents were selected based on clinical history and working experience. Result The response rate to the questionnaires was 100% of the 104 respondents interviewed. The respondents had a mean age of 26 years. Overall, about 10% of the respondents in this study had good knowledge levels on bladder cancer and 16% had good perception of the disease. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and educational level of the participants (p < 0.001). Report of the cytomorphological study indicates that none of the samples of the participants screened had cancerous cells. Conclusion The findings suggest that level of knowledge about bladder cancer among local dye workers in this study was low, while their level of perception was just above average.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 364-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhananjay Kumar Singh ◽  
Shakil Khawaja ◽  
Ishaq Pala ◽  
Jaleel Khaja ◽  
Ray Krishnanu ◽  
...  

Aims and methodCost-effective prescribing is an increasingly important aspect of our practice. A service evaluation was carried out to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of different aspects of cost-effective prescribing among doctors working in the North East London Foundation Trust. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to benchmark knowledge against six standards.ResultsThe survey was completed by 71% of doctors working in adult or old age psychiatry. A total of 2% of doctors stated that they should always take into consideration the price of the drug when prescribing and only 5% of doctors claimed to know the price of medications they prescribe most frequently.Clinical implicationsStrategies to improve the poor level of knowledge and awareness in this area of clinical practice would be of benefit in making the best use of limited financial resources without any detriment to patient care.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 450-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Taylor ◽  
L. Shapland ◽  
G. Laverick ◽  
J. Bond ◽  
J. Munro

Aims and MethodWe aimed to find out how patients on clozapine felt about clozapine treatment. A structured questionnaire was given to 1284 consecutive patients attending 27 clozapine clinics in the UK.ResultsThe response rate was 44.4% (570 forms returned). This cohort of responders to the questionnaire consisted, for the most part, of Caucasian males who had been taking clozapine for more than 2 years. Respondents expressed largely favourable views on clozapine treatment. For example, 86.1% claimed to feel better on clozapine and 88.6% claimed to prefer to remain on clozapine than to change to another drug. Many patients stated that they disliked having to undergo blood testing, but a large majority (87.0%) felt that the advantages of clozapine outweighed disadvantages. All other responses supported this overall favourable view of clozapine therapy.Clinical ImplicationsPatients stabilised on clozapine are largely content with their treatment. These results suggest that clozapine is effective as assessed by patients' own standards and that adherence to therapy is likely to be good.


1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Kotak ◽  
Ann Elaine Arnold ◽  
Peter Frost

Aims and methodA postal survey of 81 general practitioners (GPs) who were Involved in lithium monitoring was undertaken, to compare their views on lithium therapy with their monitoring practice, and with the practice of psychiatrists.ResultsForty-seven replied (response rate 50.6%). There was considerable variation in GP knowledge of lithium therapy. GPs made fewer requests but wanted more information.Clinical implicationsWritten reminders and information on lithium would be useful to GPs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.O.I. Agyapong ◽  
M. Sarvage ◽  
K. Sighn ◽  
C. Farren ◽  
D. Mc Loughlin

BackgroundAnecdotal evidence suggests that the general public including patients with mental health problems are largely unaware of the potential risks of codeine abuse and dependence. Despite this, little research has been done in establishing the public’s level of awareness on this issue.ObjectiveTo assess the extent of use of codeine-containing preparations, as well as the level of knowledge regarding the dependency potential of codeine, in patients admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital.Method150 patients admitted consecutively to an acute psychiatric hospital over a 2 month period were asked to fill out an anonymous 18-item semi-structured questionnaire. The results were compiled and analysed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 17.Results116 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 77% (54% female, mean age 46.7 years, SD = 15 years). 90% of respondents reported that they had ever used codeine-containing medications, 80% have bought them over the counter, 65% always used them without prescription, and 7% reported daily use of such medicines. 14% reported using them for the euphoriant effect, 5% to curb cravings, and the remaining mainly for migraines or aches and pains. 11% of all patients had used a codeine-containing medication as recently as 24 hours prior to their admission and 66% of patients indicated that they were aware of the dependence potential of codeine.ConclusionAwareness among psychiatric patients regarding the dependence potential of codeine is high. Additionally, a considerable proportion of patients indicated use of codeine for euphoriant effects or to curb cravings


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Verdoux ◽  
Audrey Cougnard ◽  
Sabrina Grolleau ◽  
Rachel Besson ◽  
Françoise Delcroix

AbstractObjectiveTo explore general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge of the symptoms and epidemiology of schizophrenia, and the GPs' characteristics associated with level of knowledge.MethodsSurvey questionnaires exploring practice in patients with early psychosis were mailed to all GPs in South-Western France (N = 3829). GPs were asked to fill out questions anonymously on the symptoms and epidemiology of schizophrenia.ResultsThe response rate was 23.6%. GPs had a fair theoretical knowledge of schizophrenia symptoms, but underestimated the prevalence and the risk of suicide. Recent attendance at a continuing medical education (CME) course on schizophrenia was the main predictor of level of knowledge on epidemiological figures, although its impact was relatively modest. Regarding risk factors, the implication of genetic factors was considered as null or modest by more than half of the GPs, while a large proportion of them stated that mother–baby interactional disturbances were frequently implicated in the aetiology of the disorder.ConclusionsGPs' level of knowledge on the public health impact and risk factors for schizophrenia needs to be improved in order to promote the delivery of accurate and destigmatising information to primary care patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-121
Author(s):  
Nnamdi Nkire ◽  
Oluwatosin Akinsola ◽  
Annette Kavanagh

AbstractObjectives: To assess the knowledge of basic psychiatric trainees in Ireland of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) and to ascertain how many basic specialist trainees in psychiatry had obtained additional medical indemnity cover and reasons for obtaining additional cover.Method: A structured questionnaire was distributed by post to 300 basic specialist trainees in psychiatric training schemes in Ireland. The questionnaire enquired about demographic details and examined the level of trainees' knowledge of the clinical indemnity scheme. Results were compiled and analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS version 14.Results: The response rate was 49%. The bulk of respondents were male (65.5%), aged between 30-35 years of age (44.6%). The majority of the respondents were aware of the CIS, with approximately half of the respondents having acquired additional medical indemnity cover. The level of awareness of the CIS was proportionately more amongst male respondents (69.1%), compared with females (58.5%). However, more females (61.5%) had additional medical indemnity cover compared with males (45.5%). Irish national trainees were more aware (72.9%) and had additional medical indemnity (80%), compared with non-Irish national trainees of whom approximately 61% were aware of the CIS and only 40% had an additional cover. The level of knowledge regarding details of what the CIS provided coverage for was quite poor. Respondents who had obtained additional indemnity were unsure what cover their additional indemnity provided. Only 10 respondents had been involved in medico-legal cases and of these, five had medical indemnity at the time of the case, stating that the legal advice and support was helpful.Conclusion: Our survey has highlighted that a considerable number of basic specialist trainees in psychiatry in Ireland had no detailed knowledge of what the CIS indemnifies them for and what situations were not covered by the scheme. Additionally, it revealed a clear split in favour of Irish national trainees in comparison to non-Irish national trainees in terms of awareness of the CIS and the procurement of additional medical indemnity. There needs to be an educational drive to provide more information to psychiatric trainees regarding the CIS and other medical insurance schemes. Furthermore, it would be important to examine factors that influence trainees in obtaining/not obtaining additional cover.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Shamoukh Alshahrani ◽  
Abrar Alshuaibi ◽  
Malak Alkhaldi ◽  
Pradeep Koppolu

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the perception and awareness of interdental aids in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted, in order to evaluate the perception and knowledge of patients towards oral hygiene products among the population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In total, 812 out of 1124 participants responded and completed the survey (response rate 72.2%). The data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire in English and Arabic. All statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS 20 software. p < 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 812 participants responded, of which 486 participants (60%) declared using a toothpaste and toothbrush for cleaning their teeth. The cohort consisted of 274 (34%) females who brushed twice daily, while 96 (33%) males brushed their teeth once a day and 18% of the participants did not even brush once a day. The results indicated that 332 (64%) female participants and 174 (60%) male participants had perception and knowledge of the use of dental floss or any other device to clean between their teeth, while 174 (48.50%) male participants and 174 (49.10%) female participants cleaned their tongue with the same brush, rather than using a tongue scrubber or any other aids. Conclusion: The total awareness of interdental aids in Saudi Arabia is unsatisfactory, as demonstrated by the participants not being conscious or informed about the maintenance of their oral health. A majority of participants did not report adopting basic techniques, such as tongue brushing. This study reveals that no interdental aids were used by 16% of the participants. Thus, it is crucial to develop an effective educational program which emphasizes oral healthcare in this population.


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 117-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Swift ◽  
I. Durkin ◽  
C. Beuster

Aims and MethodWe aimed to survey how psychiatrists with in-depth training in cognitive therapy use these skills. A postal questionnaire based on a previous survey was sent to all psychiatrists who are accredited members of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.ResultsThere was a 94% response rate. Psychiatrists in non-psychotherapy posts used formal cognitive therapy, with an average of 20% of new patients compared with 65% for those in psychotherapy posts, and were less satisfied with the extent to which they were able to use their skills (20%v. 80%). A total of 85% of respondents described themselves as being involved in teaching, training and supervision of cognitive therapy.Clinical ImplicationsUnless psychiatrists are planning on working in specialised psychotherapy posts, they are unlikely to use cognitive therapy training in formal therapy sessions. Further research is needed to determine whether cognitive therapy training for psychiatrists translates into improved outcomes for patients.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 156-161
Author(s):  
Oyedeji A. Ayonrinde ◽  
Chiedu Obuaya ◽  
Solomon Olusola Adeyemi

Aims and methodTo explore the current salience of ‘brain fag’ as a nosological, diagnostic and clinical construct in modern West African psychiatry. A semi-structured questionnaire and vignette based on classical symptoms of brain fag syndrome were used to explore current knowledge, explanatory models and practice among Nigerian psychiatrists.ResultsOf 102 psychiatrists who responded, 98% recognised the term ‘brain fag syndrome’ and most recognised the scenario presented. However, only 22% made a diagnosis of brain fag syndrome in their practice preferring diagnoses of anxiety, affective and somatic disorders.Clinical implicationsA decreasing number of Nigerian psychiatrists are making a diagnosis of ‘brain fag syndrome’. We found strong evidence of nosological and diagnostic decline in the syndrome in its place of birth. This may signal the early extinction of this disorder or nosological metamorphosis from a ‘culture-bound’ syndrome in West African psychiatric practice.


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