Relationship between consultation length and rational prescribing of drugs in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran

Doctors with longer consultation times tend to diagnose illnesses more precisely, prescribe fewer drugs and present better health advice to their patients. The aim of this study was to measure the average consultation time of general practitioners in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran and to investigate the factors affecting consultation length, especially in relation to rational prescribing of drugs. Data were collected on 620 patient consultations with 62 randomly selected general practitioners. Mean consultation length was 6.9 [SD 2.6] minutes. Patient factors that were significantly associated with a longer mean duration of consultation time were; higher number of health problems, older age and fewer items of previously used drugs. Physician factors that were significantly associated with a longer mean consultation time were: younger age, higher numbers of items prescribed and injectable drugs prescribed, frequency of interruptions and higher workload

[Rate - dependent electrophysiological effects of Crocus sativus on extracellular field potential of isolated rabbit heart in-vitro]

Herbal remedies are suitable alternatives for synthetic drugs due to their availability, minimal side effects and lower price. Biologically active substances of plant origin represent an essential branch of modern cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. The aim of the present study is to investigate rate-dependent electrophysiological effects of Crocus sativus on extra-cellular field potential of isolated rabbit heart in-vitro. Male Newsland rabbits [1.5-2 kg] were used in all of experiments; various experimental stimulating protocols [WBCL, recovery, rate-dependent protocols] were applied to study electrophysiological properties of Node [N=25]. All of the stimulated protocols repeated in the presence and absence different concentration of saffron [54,108 mg]. Results were shown as mean +/- SE. Saffron inhibited basic and rate-dependent electrophysiological properties of AV-Node. Significant prolongation of WBCL from 141 +/- 4.7 to 165.9 +/- 6.7 msec [in control and saffron group] was recorded [p<0.05]. Rate-dependent protective role of plant to increases difference between atrial and nodal effective refractory period and was observed [from 10 +/- 5.5 to 23.6 +/- 7.4 msec in control and saffron] [p<0.05]. Rate-dependent minor inhibitory role of Crocus sativus in AV-Node can modify protective role of AV-Node during arrhythmia