BACKGROUND Orally anticoagulated patients with insufficient knowledge about their treatment have a higher risk of complications. Standardized patient education could raise their level of knowledge and improve time spent within target INR range. METHODS This cluster randomized trial included 319 anticoagulated patients drawn from 22 general medical practices. 185 patients received patient educ...

BACKGROUND The stepped care model for psychological distress has been promoted in recent years, leading to the enhancing roles of primary care professionals and alternative sources of help. However, most of the research findings come from Western countries. This study investigates help-seeking behaviours of Chinese patients among different types of professional and alternative sources for psych...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a behavioural-educational sleep intervention delivered in the early postpartum in improving maternal and infant sleep. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. SETTING Postpartum units of two university affiliated hospitals. PARTICIPANTS 246 primiparous women and their infants randomised while in hospital with an internet based randomisation service t...

BACKGROUND Managing oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT) is a challenge for patients and primary care providers. It requires a high level of patient knowledge and adherence. Studies have shown that insufficient adherence and a low level of patient knowledge about OAT are primary causes for complications. This trial is the first to evaluate the long-term effects of a complex practice nurse-based p...

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of an educational intervention, in the form of printed material, on patient knowledge and recall of possible risks from parotidectomy or thyroidectomy. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled study conducted during a 9-month period. SETTING Head and neck surgery clinic of an academic tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS One hundred twenty-five consecutive p...

BACKGROUND Excessive and uncontrolled television watching by children predisposes them to some risks such as developmental, social and psychological disorders. Parents play an important role in nurturing their children and controlling the factors affecting their health. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of health education programs on parents' supervision skills to control their...

BACKGROUND The families of people with late-stage dementia need to be informed about the course of the dementia and the comfort/palliative care option. A booklet was written for that purpose and can be provided to family members by physicians and nurses. METHODS The acceptability of the booklet for nurses was tested in Canada (French and English version), France (French Canadian version) and ...

Recurrent heat waves, already a concern in rapidly growing and urbanizing South Asia, will very likely worsen in a warming world. Coordinated adaptation efforts can reduce heat's adverse health impacts, however. To address this concern in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India), a coalition has been formed to develop an evidence-based heat preparedness plan and early warning system. This paper describes the...

One year after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Office for Policy of Suicide Prevention of the Cabinet Office published and distributed three stages of pamphlets under the supervision of the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, promoting understanding about mental healthcare for those affected by natural disasters. Pamphlets are meant for universal usage and have commonly been used ...