BACKGROUND The negative consequences of narcotic use and diversion for nonmedical use are on the rise. A growing number of narcotic abusers obtain narcotic prescriptions from multiple providers ("doctor shopping"). This study sought to determine the effects of multiple postoperative narcotic providers on the number of narcotic prescriptions, duration of narcotics, and morphine equivalent dose p...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of an immunization outreach program on immunization rates. SETTING A Pennsylvania independent practice association model managed care organization (100% Medicaid). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study (N = 2511) of children 30 to 35 months of age from two age cohorts that compared immunization rates for Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices schedules for...

This review compares the effects of various sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner-notification strategies. Using review methods endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration, it updates previous reviews, and addresses some of their methodological limitations. It includes 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing two or more strategies, including 8014 participants. Only two trials were cond...

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has separate clinical structures and care processes for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, because veterans are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with TBI (most frequently mild TBI [mTBI]) and PTSD, the VA needs to evaluate current service delivery systems. We conducted key informant interviews wi...

OBJECTIVE To design and implement the Lovelace Diabetes EPISODES OF CARE program in a managed care setting. This program is intended to address the complex needs of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by using specific physician-provider and patient interventions. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Lovelace Health Systems, the second-largest and most fully integrated health care deliver...

BACKGROUND The learning preferences of ophthalmology patients were examined. METHODS Results from a voluntary survey of ophthalmology patients were analyzed for education preferences and for correlation with race, age, and ophthalmic topic. RESULTS To learn about eye disease, patients preferred one-on-one sessions with providers as well as printed materials and websites recommended by provi...