In 2003, an internet-based monitoring system of influenza-like illness (ILI), the Great Influenza Survey (GIS), was initiated in Belgium. For the Flemish part of Belgium, we investigate the representativeness of the GIS population and assess the validity of the survey in terms of ILI incidence during eight influenza seasons (from 2003 through 2011). The validity is investigated by comparing est...

Results Thirty eight percent of the physicians were male and their mean age was 43 (± 8) years old. Ninety five percent of physicians had asthma patients in their clinics. Most of them (83.2%) knew about the asthma management guideline and 87.4% of them used the guideline on their asthma practice. Among the physicians, one hundred and twenty two (73.9%) were primary care physicians. 65.6% of th...

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was one of the greatest men of his age. Although famed for his writings, especially his Dictionary and his folio on Shakespeare, he is remembered for his tavern conversations, his literary clubs and the great biography of his life by Boswell. He always enjoyed having physicians as his friends, and took a great interest in all branches of medicine. He would advise and ...

This study reports on German physicians' views on legalization of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, comparing this with a similar survey of UK doctors. A questionnaire was handed out to attendants of a palliative care and a pain symposium. Complete answers were obtained from 137 physicians. Similar to the UK study, about 30% of the physicians surveyed support euthanasia in case of term...

Increases in physician office visits involving the use or prescribing of a drug were observed between 1985 and 1999 using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The prescription rate increased from 109 to 146 prescriptions per 100 visits. Growth in drug mention rates for specific therapeutic classes varied by patients' age. The rate of multiple prescriptions per visit rose 39 pe...

A central goal of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropria...

With the kind permission of Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) completed a pilot lighting project in 2002 at Kowloon Bay Indoor Games Hall (KBIGH). The new lighting system made use of the latest T5 lighting technology for illuminating the high ceiling games hall. As compared with the existing hi...