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Practising Clinicians (practising + clinician)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Limits of the applicability and generalizability of drug trials in mania

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 2002
Rasmus W Licht
Licht RW. Limits of the applicability and generalizability of drug trials in mania. Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): 66,68. ©Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 During recent years, the majority of drug trials in mania have been conducted for the purpose of drug approval. On this background, this paper addresses to what extent these trials may actually provide the practising clinician with useful information. One major point is that selection prior to the point of randomization in RCTs in mania may limit the applicability of study results to patients seen in ordinary clinical practice. Limitations in study credibility and study design are also discussed. The need for large scale pragmatic studies using broad inclusion criteria, comparing the various treatments, alone or in combination, is emphasized. [source]

Principles and Applications of Computer Graphics in Medicine

COMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 1 2006
F.P. Vidal
Abstract The medical domain provides excellent opportunities for the application of computer graphics, visualization and virtual environments, with the potential to help improve healthcare and bring benefits to patients. This survey paper provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in this exciting field. It has been written from the perspective of both computer scientists and practising clinicians and documents past and current successes together with the challenges that lie ahead. The article begins with a description of the software algorithms and techniques that allow visualization of and interaction with medical data. Example applications from research projects and commercially available products are listed, including educational tools; diagnostic aids; virtual endoscopy; planning aids; guidance aids; skills training; computer augmented reality and use of high performance computing. The final section of the paper summarizes the current issues and looks ahead to future developments. [source]

Atypical antipsychotics and weightgain , a systematic review

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2000
D. M. Taylor
Objective: To review systematically data relating to weight changes with atypical antipsychotics. Method: We conducted a Medline search on October 29 1999 and covered the period 1980,99. All recovered papers were examined for further relevant reports. In addition, we wrote to pharmaceutical manufacturers and 10 practising clinicians to ask them to provide other relevant reports known to them. Results: Eighty reports mentioning change in body weight were retrieved. Data relating to weight changes were of variable quality. Weight changes were indicated by a variety of measures. The majority of reports related to short-term changes. Conclusion: All atypical drugs, with the exception of ziprasidone, have been associated with weight increases. Clozapine seems to have the highest risk of weight gain, followed by olanzapine and quetiapine. There is probably a lower risk with risperidone, sertindole and zotepine and a still lower risk with amisulpride. Ziprasidone appears not to be associated with weight gain. In the absence of more compelling data, these rankings must be considered approximate and preliminary. Longer, more robust trials are needed. [source]

Use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract in United Kingdom intensive care units,

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2009
A. J. Bastin
Summary The use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) remains controversial despite several large randomised-controlled trials and meta-analyses. A postal survey of intensive care units in the United Kingdom was conducted to document current use of SDD, and to identify factors influencing this practice. The response rate was 71%. The vast majority (182 units, 95%) do not use SDD mainly because practising clinicians do not believe it works or that there is not enough evidence (51%), and because of concerns about antibiotic resistance (47%). Of the 10 units using SDD, three apply it to all intubated patients and five do not use intravenous antibiotics in their protocol. [source]