Article Abstract:
Physicians should routinely question their female patients about violence in their personal relationships. Physicians are often the first to see women who have been abused, and they are in a unique position to uncover the abusive relationship and refer the women to the appropriate social service agency. In some studies, 22% to 35% of the women seen in emergency departments had symptoms of abuse. Many of these women can be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Physicians should be taught the types and consequences of violence against women, and should develop tools to diagnose abuse in their female patients. They should document the woman's history of abuse as well as her injuries. The hospital should also have staff members specifically trained to deal with abused women, and these individuals should be the patient's link to community agencies.
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Article Abstract:
Editors of medical specialist journals are often practicing physicians who work part-time and have little ability or training as editors. Researchers sent surveys to 191 editors-in-chief of 262 peer-reviewed specialty journals. A total of 181 (95%) were part-time, 132 (69%) treated patients, and 164 (86%) had been nominated for the position by a professional society, the previous editor, or had responded to an advertisement. Eighty-five editors had no formal training in editing skills, but 53 believed they might benefit from such training.
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Article Abstract:
Doctors should begin using patient education materials in their practice. Many doctors want to share decision-making with their patients but find they have little time to do it. A 1999 study found that many doctors did not include their patients in decision-making. The patient visits lasted only 16 minutes on average, indicating that time is an important factor. Educational materials can fill this gap and can include brochures, pamphlets, and videotapes. However, many doctors' offices are not set up to use these materials properly.
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