ABSTRACT
This study examined the practice of writing to parents following paediatric outpatients consultation (general practitioners (GPs) receive a copy of the letter to parents). One hundred and three questionnaires were sent to both parents and GPs in order to elicit their views. Fifty-one parents responded (RR 50.5%) and 56 GPs (RR 54.4%). All parents were in favour of the idea of specialists writing directly to parents/patients and none of the parents were in favour of the letter being sent to the GP alone. The majority of GPs considered that the letter(s) would improve parental satisfaction (85.7%) and improve compliance with medical advice (83.3%); 83.6% of GPs stated that the copy of the letter to parents was at least as helpful, if not more so, than the usual type of clinic letters they receive. Despite this, GPs expressed mixed feelings about the idea of all specialists writing direct to patients/parents, with 46.3% in favour of the idea and 40.7% against.
Subject(s)
Correspondence as Topic , Pediatrics , Professional-Family Relations , Referral and Consultation , Attitude of Health Personnel , Child , Consumer Behavior , Family Practice , Female , Humans , Male , Parents/psychology , Patient Care TeamABSTRACT
Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are low amplitude sound waves produced by the healthy cochlea. They can be recorded with a microphone in the external ear. TEOAEs are abolished by hearing losses of 30 dB or more. The feasibility of using TEOAEs as a screening test for hearing loss in children was studied. TEOAE recordings were attempted in 56 children attending an audiology clinic. Recordings were possible from both ears in 52 children; of these 104 ears, 32 had hearing deficits of 30 dB or more. Hearing status was compared with the results of six TEOAE screening criteria. All criteria had a sensitivity of 1.00. Four standard TEOAE criteria yielded specificities of 0.46-0.58. Two new criteria derived from analysis of limited frequencies from the TEOAE waveform gave specificities of 0.76 and 0.82. It can be concluded that, when appropriate pass/fail criteria are employed, TEOAEs are a feasible screening test in children.
Subject(s)
Hearing Disorders/diagnosis , Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Feasibility Studies , Hearing Disorders/physiopathology , Hearing Tests/methods , Humans , Infant , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
A postal survey of recently appointed consultant paediatricians was undertaken to determine whether they perceived their training had adequately equipped them for their current job. The response rate was 69% (207/299). After excluding replies from consultants trained outside the UK the analysis was carried out on 167 replies. Trainees held a mean 5.2 posts during general and higher professional training, necessitating a mean 1.8 house moves. Altogether 82% felt moves were beneficial to training but 46% found moves 'very disruptive' to family life. Only 12% of district general hospital and 22% of teaching hospital senior registrars took two research sessions a week. Supervision and training in research was absent or poor for more than 60%; 24% felt major changes and 55% moderate changes were needed to current training. Training in non-clinical skills was particularly in demand and a curriculum for both trainers and trainees with regular appraisals is required. Research at senior registrar level needs review and educational methods improved to achieve better training in a shorter period.
