Attitudes and behaviors of physicians in dealing with difficult patientsand relatives: a cross-sectional study in two training and research hospitals.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the reasons constituting the definition of 'difficult patient' and to evaluate attitudes and behaviors of physicians in coping with these patients and their relatives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June 2013 with 400 randomly selected physicians from different specialties working in two training and research hospitals in Ankara. A questionnaire was created by reviewing the relevant literature, by family medicine clinic, and delivered to the physicians following a pilot study. RESULTS: In our study 92.8% of the physicians participating had experienced a negative contact with patients and/or their relatives, previously; 46.8% of the participants stated that they used their own experiences in coping with those situations. The frequency of negative communications was higher in surgical departments, increasing with average daily working hours and number of patients and decreasing with the experience of the physicians. The ways of coping with a difficult patient were nonjudgmental listening, patience, tolerance, and empathy, in declining order of importance. CONCLUSION: Physicians frequently experience negative communications with patients and/or relatives. Awareness of physicians about the concept of difficult patients and the causes and solutions should be enhanced.

The effect of the dimensions of the distal femur and proximal tibia joint surfaces on the development of knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the dimensions of the distal femur and proximal tibia joint surfaces affect the etiology of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study comprised the records of 1,324 patients who had been admitted to hospital with knee pain. Anterioposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of the knee were taken. Using the Kellgren-Lawrence Scale, the patient group comprised Stages 2, 3, and 4 radiographs and the controls comprised Stages 0 and 1 radiographs. Four lengths were measured for each patient in both groups: femur mediolateral (femur ML), tibia mediolateral (tibia ML), femur anteroposterior (femur AP), and tibia anteroposterior (tibia AP). Osteophytes were not included in the measurements in the patient group. All the measurements were repeated by two researchers at two different times. The groups were compared in terms of these measurements and the correlations between them. The mean femur ML length was significantly greater in the patient group than the control group (P = 0.032) and the mean femur AP length was significantly less (P = 0.037). In addition, the difference between the femur ML and AP lengths was significantly high in the patient group (P < 0.001). The difference between the tibia and femur ML lengths was significantly high in the patient group (P < 0.001) and the difference between the tibia and femur AP lengths was higher in the control group (P = 0.001). A longer femur ML and a shorter femur AP, together with a greater difference between these two lengths and a greater difference between the tibia ML and femur ML lengths, could be a risk factor for developing knee OA. More extensive anatomical and biomechanical studies in the future will enable these results to be corroborated.

Management of ankle sprains during pregnancy: evaluation of 96 cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to suggest a safe management method for the diagnosis and treatment of ankle sprains in pregnant patients. METHODS: Between November 2005 and January 2013, 96 pregnant patients with ankle sprains referred to the department of orthopedics and traumatology were evaluated, retrospectively. The Ottawa ankle rules were used to assess the need for radiologic evaluation. Radiological procedures: Surface USG, X-ray (0,6 mGy, mortise view), MRI (T1 and STIR) and fluoroscopy with 0,8 mGy/s doses 0,4 ms single shot views in surgery room. The results of the operated patients were evaluated with AOFAS scoring system. RESULTS: Forty-four (45,8%) patients were treated with conservative methods and there was no need for radiological evaluation. USG was used in 17 (17,7%), MRI in 24 (25%), X-ray in 4 (4,1%) and both USG and MRI in 7 (7,2%) patients during diagnosis. An algorithm was created for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant patients with ankle sprains. No complications due to radiological and surgical procedures occurred over pregnancies. The AOFAS score was 83 (65-100) in the operated patients. CONCLUSION: There is no standard management method for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant patients with ankle sprains. The algorithm presented in this study may be useful. Good results can be obtained with an appropriate preparation and surgical technique.