Home  About us  Contact
 

Patient Representatives (patient + representative)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Clinical practice recommendations for depression

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2009
G. S. Malhi
Objective:, To provide clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations for the management of depression in adults that are informative, easy to assimilate and facilitate clinical decision making. Method:, A comprehensive literature review of over 500 articles was undertaken using electronic database search engines (e.g. MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Cochrane reviews). In addition articles, book chapters and other literature known to the authors were reviewed. The findings were then formulated into a set of recommendations that were developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who routinely deal with mood disorders. The recommendations then underwent consultative review by a broader advisory panel that included experts in the field, clinical staff and patient representatives. Results:, The clinical practice recommendations for depression (Depression CPR) summarize evidence-based treatments and provide a synopsis of recommendations relating to each phase of the illness. They are designed for clinical use and have therefore been presented succinctly in an innovative and engaging manner that is clear and informative. Conclusion:, These up-to-date recommendations provide an evidence-based framework that incorporates clinical wisdom and consideration of individual factors in the management of depression. Further, the novel style and practical approach should promote uptake and implementation. [source]

Clinical practice recommendations for bipolar disorder

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2009
G. S. Malhi
Objective:, To provide clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations for the management of bipolar disorder in adults that are informative, easy to assimilate and facilitate clinical decision-making. Method:, A comprehensive literature review of over 500 articles was undertaken using electronic database search engines (e.g. MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Cochrane reviews). In addition articles, book chapters and other literature known to the authors were reviewed. The findings were then formulated into a set of recommendations that were developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who routinely deal with mood disorders. These preliminary recommendations underwent extensive consultative review by a broader advisory panel that included experts in the field, clinical staff and patient representatives. Results:, The clinical practice recommendations for bipolar disorder (bipolar CPR) summarise evidence-based treatments and provide a synopsis of recommendations relating to each phase of the illness. They are designed for clinical use and have therefore been presented succinctly in an innovative and engaging manner that is clear and informative. Conclusion:, These up-to-date recommendations provide an evidence-based framework that incorporates clinical wisdom and consideration of individual factors in the management of bipolar disorder. Further, the novel style and practical approach should promote their uptake and implementation. [source]

An active role for patients in clinical research?

DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006
Deirdre O'Connell
Abstract In the context of stricter control of clinical research, more informed patients, and a growing number of patient organizations, an active role for patients in clinical research has more than one meaning. Patient involvement in research as subjects is insufficient and can be improved by the information provided by patient groups and by better collaboration between the research community and patient groups. Knowledge about and understanding of clinical trials is central to greater participation. Involvement in the research process provides another role for patients and patient groups and a number of studies have examined such involvement. Patient advocacy groups are involved in training initiatives to enable effective patient involvement in the administration and conduct of clinical research. Various national and European research and regulatory organizations now work with patient representatives, often providing training for them. A third role for patient organizations lies in supporting the research community in lobbying for increased funding, especially for independent clinical research. The area of clinical research outside randomized clinical trials needs also to be carefully considered, in particular the Outcomes Research field. Drug Dev. Res. 67:188,192, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Quantitation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2008
K. Ray Chaudhuri
Background:, Disabling non-motor symptoms (NMS) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), such as dementia and loss of balance, do not respond well to levodopa therapy and can lead to eventual death in patients with the disease. In 2006, a multidisciplinary group of experts and patient representatives developed an NMS screening questionnaire (NMSQuest) and a unified Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) to address the need for simple identification and comprehensive assessment of NMS in patients with PD. Methods and Results:, An international pilot study of 96 healthy controls and 123 patients with various stages of treated and untreated PD was conducted to demonstrate that the NMSQuest is a feasible, valid, and accepted tool. Conclusion:, The majority of patients and caregivers felt that the questionnaire was clear and relevant to their daily lives. Data from 242 PD patients with no dementia were analysed in a pilot study on the clinimetric validation of NMSS. Similar to the NMSQuest study, the NMSS study revealed a significant correlation between progression of PD and increasing NMS burden. These studies suggest that the NMSQuest accurately detects the NMS, and that the NMSS closely correlates with quality of life for PD patients. [source]