BACKGROUND The criteria used when GPs submit stool specimens for microbiological investigation are unknown. AIM To determine what criteria GPs use to send stool specimens, and if they are consistent with national guidance, and whether GPs would prescribe an antibiotic before they receive a result. DESIGN AND SETTING Questionnaire survey of 974 GPs in 172 surgeries in England. METHOD GPs w...

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to investigate whether a score reflecting systemic inflammatory processes [the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS)] provides relevant information for radiation oncologists. GPS is a three-tiered score [0: normal C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin; 1: one abnormal result; 2: increased CRP and low albumin]. Correlations between disease type and exte...

BACKGROUND Sexual problems are common among people with coronary heart disease and can adversely affect patients' quality of life. GPs are ideally placed to deal with these problems. Research suggests that GPs are reluctant to address sexual problems but little is known about what currently takes place in practice. The aim of this study was to examine GPs' self-reported behaviour and attitudes ...

The humoral immunization potential of panax ginseng polysaccharide (GPS) against H9N2 avian influenza virus (H9N2 AIV) in chickens was investigated. The effects of GPS treatment before and during H9N2 AIV infection were determined in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) by MTT (3(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 3-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assays and quantitative RT-PCR analysis of MHC and cytokine...

BACKGROUND Little is known about pressure from patients or relatives on physician's decision making of continuous palliative sedation. We aim to describe experienced pressure by general practitioners (GPs) in cases of continuous sedation after the introduction of the Dutch practice guideline, using a questionnaire survey. METHODS A sample of 918 Dutch GPs were invited to fill out a questionna...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of canalith repositioning manoeuvres and vestibular rehabilitation (VR) by GPs and to assess reasons for not using these techniques in patients with vertigo. DESIGN Online survey. SETTING GPs in the western and central part of the Netherlands. SUBJECTS AND METHOD Of GPs, 1169 were approached to participate in the survey. A sample of 426 GPs filled out the ...

Due to their weak received signal power, Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are vulnerable to radio frequency interference. Adaptive beam and null steering of the gain pattern of a GPS antenna array can significantly increase the resistance of GPS sensors to signal interference and jamming. Since adaptive array processing requires intensive computational power, beamsteering GPS receivers w...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate general practitioners' (GPs) attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding the use of exercise for patients with chronic knee pain (CKP) attributable to osteoarthritis. SETTING Primary care GPs in the UK. PARTICIPANTS 5000 GPs, randomly selected from Binley's database, were mailed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. OUTCOME MEASURES GP...

BACKGROUND Australia is considering implementing a chlamydia screening program in general practice. The views of general practitioners (GPs) are necessary to inform the design of the program. This paper aimed to investigate Australian GPs' views on how chlamydia screening could work in the Australian context. METHODS This project used both qualitative interviews and a quantitative questionnai...