ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous research has examined patients' attitudes toward use of exam room computers by physicians. Our objective was to determine patient attitudes toward physicians' exam room use of new tablet computers. METHODS: A random sample of 96 patients was interviewed immediately following a visit to a physician at an outpatient family medicine clinic at a large academic medical center in central Virginia. We excluded visits to first-year residents. Patients were asked about their attitudes toward technology use in the exam room using a previously validated 16-item structured questionnaire on patient attitudes toward technology use in the exam room. RESULTS: The response rate was 97%. Survey results showed mostly positive patient perceptions of the tablets regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and income. There were differences in attitudes toward privacy (by race and education), use of tablets by the physician (by education and age), depersonalization of the office visit (by race), and speed of medical files overview (by age). CONCLUSIONS: The use of tablet computers by physicians in the examining room is perceived positively by most patients.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Computers , Computers, Handheld , Medical Informatics Applications , Patient Satisfaction , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Decision Support Techniques , Electronic Health Records , Electronic Prescribing , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Medical Order Entry Systems , Middle Aged , Physician-Patient Relations , Virginia , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death among infants. Recently, new SIDS risk factors have emerged. OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge and recommendations of pediatricians and family physicians regarding SIDS-relevant practices. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 3005 pediatricians and family physicians. RESULTS: Of the 783 respondents, pediatricians comprised 64% and females 52%; 78% recognized supine as the recommended sleep position; 69% recommended supine. Almost all physicians recommended a firm mattress, 82% recommended a crib or bassinet, and 42% recommended a separate room for infants; 63% had no preference about or did not recommend restricting pacifier use. Pediatricians were more likely to discuss infant sleep position and room sharing at every well-child visit. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about recommended infant sleep position is relatively high, but there are gaps in physician knowledge regarding safe sleep recommendations. Greater dissemination of information is required, and barriers to implementation need to be identified and addressed.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Family Practice , Pediatrics , Sudden Infant Death/prevention & control , Beds/classification , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Supine Position , Surveys and Questionnaires , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Magnesium deficiency has been associated with insulin resistance (IR) and increased risk for type 2 diabetes in adults. This study was designed to determine whether obese children exhibit serum or dietary magnesium deficiency and its potential association with IR. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 24 obese nondiabetic children (BMI > or =85th percentile) and 24 sex- and puberty-matched lean control subjects (BMI <85th percentile). We measured serum magnesium, indexes of insulin sensitivity, dietary magnesium intake (using a food frequency questionnaire), and body composition (by air displacement plethysmography). RESULTS: Serum magnesium was significantly lower in obese children (0.748 +/- 0.015 mmol/l, means +/- SE) compared with lean children (0.801 +/- 0.012 mmol/l) (P = 0.009). Serum magnesium was inversely correlated with fasting insulin (r(s) = -0.36 [95% CI -0.59 to -0.08]; P = 0.011) and positively correlated with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (0.35 [0.06-0.58]; P = 0.015). Dietary magnesium intake was significantly lower in obese children (obese: 0.12 +/- 0.004 vs. lean: 0.14 +/- 0.004 mg/kcal; P = 0.003). Dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with fasting insulin (-0.43 [-0.64 to -0.16]; P = 0.002) and directly correlated with QUICKI (0.43 [0.16-0.64]; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The association between magnesium deficiency and IR is present during childhood. Serum magnesium deficiency in obese children may be secondary to decreased dietary magnesium intake. Magnesium supplementation or increased intake of magnesium-rich foods may be an important tool in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in obese children.
