Every week, we will provide a brief summary and a link to the published abstract of newly published papers selected from the worldwide literature as being of particular interest to the SelfCare community.
A PROGRAM OF NURSE MANAGEMENT FOR UNSCHEDULED CONSULTATIONS OF CHILDREN WITH ACUTE MINOR ILLNESSES IN PRIMARY CARE
By: Fabrellas N, Juvé E, Solà M, Aurín E, Berlanga S, Galimany J, Berenguer L, Pujol MC, Lacuesta S, Villo MC, Torres M.
Journal of Nursing Scholarship 2015; 47: 529-35
Summary: Under nurse management in 284 primary care sites, 467,160 consults were performed. The most common situations dealt with were skin injuries, acute fever, cough, runny nose, and diarrhea. Overall case resolution was achieved in 65.4%. Re-consultation rates within a 7-day period was 2.6%. Abstract.
NECESSITY OF OFFICE VISITS FOR ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN PRIMARY CARE
By: Renati S, Linder JA.
Family Practice 2016; 33: 312-7
Summary: Researchers looked at physician visits for acute respiratory tract infections and then whether medical attention was needed. They concluded that about two-thirds of primary care visits for such cases may not be necessary for antibiotic management. Abstract.
CONSUMER SELF-SELECTION, SAFETY, AND COMPLIANCE WITH A NOVEL OVER-THE-COUNTE IBUPROFEN 600 MG IMMEDIATE-RELEASE AND EXTENDED-RELEASE TABLET
By: Paluch E, Jayawardena S, Wilson B, Farnsworth S.
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 2016; 56: 397-404
Summary: This study looked at whether consumers (ones who had recently used other OTC analgesics) could correctly select and use a new long-acting ibuprofen product. Of 249 subjects, 69.1% made a correct selection according to labelled directions. Regarding inappropriate use, 1.2% used > 1600 mg for > 10 days (average 1821 mg per day). Abstract.
HOW ADOLESCENTS EXPERIENCE AND COPE WITH PAIN IN DAILY LIFE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON WAYS TO COPE AND THE USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER ANALGESICS
By: Lagerlov P, Rosvold EO, Holager T, Helseth S.
BMJ Open 2016; 6 (3): e010184
Summary: The aim was to describe how different adolescents manage pain in their daily life, with a focus on OTC analgesic use. Of 25 participants aged 15 to 16 years of age, the researchers identified 4 groups with similarities in attitudes and management strategies to pain: pain is manageable, pain is communicable, pain is inevitable, and pain is all over. A concern raised about OTC analgesics was that they might lose their efficacy, and that an important tool to manage everyday pain would then be gone. Abstract
INFORMATION RESOURCES TO AID PARENTAL DECISION-MAKING ON WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR ACUTELY SICK CHILD: A NARRATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
By: Neill S, Roland D, Jones CHD, Thompson M, Lakhanpaul M.
BMJ Open 2015; 5 (12): e008280
Summary: The objective was to identify the effectiveness of information resources to help parents decide when to seek medical care for an acutely sick child under five years of age, including the identification of factors influencing effectiveness. Five databases and five websites were systematically searched using a combination of terms on children, parents, education, acute childhood illness. Consultation frequency (15 studies), knowledge (9 studies), anxiety/reassurance (7 studies), confidence (4 studies) satisfaction (4 studies) and antibiotic prescription (4 studies) were used as measures of effectiveness. Themes supported information needing to be relevant and comprehensive to enable parents to manage an episode of minor illness. Interventions addressing a range of symptoms along with assessment and management of childhood illness, appeared to have the greatest impact on the reported measures. The majority of interventions had limited impact on consultation frequencies. Abstract.
OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICATIONS USE AMONG CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN ITALY
By: Pileggi C, Mascaro V, Bianco A, Pavia M.
BioMed Research International 2015: 413912
Summary: The aim was to examine attitudes and practices of parents with respect to OTCs and children. Positive attitudes to OTC use was reported by 71.4% of parents, and 61.5% had given one to a child in the previous 6 months. Abstract.
COMMUNITY PHARMACY RAPID INFLUENZA A AND B SCREENING: A NOVEL APPROACH TO EXPEDITE PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE AND IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOMES
By: Papastergiou J, Folkins C, Li W, Young L.
Canadian Pharmacists Journal 2016; 149: 83-89.
Summary: The goal was to investigate the impact and feasibility of community pharmacist-directed influenza screening and to evaluate the proportion of influenza-positive cases that resulted in the initiation of antiviral therapy by pharmacists. Nasal swabs were collected by pharmacists and screened using the BD Veritor system for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B. Positive tests for influenza were reported to patients’ physicians and recommendations for antiviral therapy were made when indicated. Supportive care recommendations and telephone follow-up within 48 hours of assessment were provided to all patients. A total of 59 patients participated in the influenza screening program. Sixty-one percent of patients were at high risk for influenza-related complications, while 15% had more than one risk factor. Thirty-four percent of patients screened positive for influenza, of which 100% were influenza A. Of the patients who screened positive, a prescription for oseltamivir was obtained in 40% of cases. The majority of prescriptions were provided directly to the pharmacy (63%), while the balance was provided after the patients underwent medical examination at the request of their physicians (37%). OTC pharmacotherapy was provided to 85% of patients. Abstract.