Article Abstract:
Physicians attending the 11th International Alcohol Policy Conference in May, 1998, learned that they are missing many opportunities to screen problem drinkers. Although many physicians can detect alcoholic patients, problem drinkers make up a larger percentage of the population. They may be putting themselves at higher risk of illness, injury and addiction. Even emergency physicians can participate in this type of screening. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has published clinical guidelines and the American Medical Association is planning a national screening day in April, 1999.
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Article Abstract:
A systems approach to improving childhood immunizations appears to have been successful. The approach was used by the Georgia Department of Public Health at over 200 public clinics and it increased the immunization rate from 53% in 1988 to 89% in 1994. One of the techniques used was to rank clinics based on immunization rates and award those who met immunization goals. Other studies have shown that this technique can be useful in other areas such as breast cancer screening, tobacco cessation programs and cholesterol screening.
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Article Abstract:
Pediatricians should help develop screening tools that can identify new mothers who are being abused. These screening tools could be used when the mother and baby come for their well-baby check-ups, which are recommended three times in the first three months and six times during the first year.
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