BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Because dermatologic complaints are encountered frequently in primary care, the education of family physicians about skin disorders is important. Data are needed to help define areas of dermatology that deserve the most time and emphasis. This study determined what types of skin problems and medications family physicians most commonly diagnose and prescribe. METHODS ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A shift away from family medicine to medical specialties is noticed in many of the competition-based health care systems in Western countries. Our study's objective was to learn about career development of young physicians in German-speaking countries, with a particular focus on Switzerland. METHODS We performed a qualitative assessment of data on physicians' trainin...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Many family physicians regard fertility counseling out of their scope of practice, although key elements in the care of involuntarily childless couples fall within the theoretical framework of family practice. This study analyzed the doctors' value system concerning the care of infertile patients and whether a personal interview leads to a greater sensitivity toward fe...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of physician-colleague and coworker abuse on family physicians in Canada. DESIGN A mixed-methods, bilingual study that included surveys and telephone interviews. SETTING Canada. PARTICIPANTS Family physicians in active practice who were members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 2009. METHODS Surveys were mailed to a random sample of family ...

PURPOSE To determine the rate of preschool vision screening in family practice. To evaluate attitudes and beliefs about the importance of, and barriers to, preschool vision screening. METHOD Mail survey of a national sample of family physicians. RESULTS The response rate was 35% (237 of 671 eligible respondents). Most (90%) considered preschool vision screening important. The majority (91%)...

The most recent proposal by the Minister of Health to change healthcare financing aims to introduce a form of patient copay-ment for healthcare received, at 25% of GP costs for consultations, and more for secondary care. The objective is to encourage patients to take more responsibility for their own health and consult less often. This proposal is still in its early stage of political decision ...

The concept of Family Physicians with special interest in a particular field of medicine is currently gaining popularity. It is a new trend in medicine, at least in countries where there is lack of specialists in the many disciplines of medicine. There is also an increasing need to reduce demand for secondary and tertiary care services by developing community based services. Training of Family ...

The benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented. The composition of human milk is distinct from the milk of other mammals and from infant formula. Human milk is unique in its physical structure and in the types of concentrations of nutrients, enzymes, hormones, growth factors, host resistance factors, inducers/modulators of the immune system, and antiinflammatory agents. Research has sh...

Surgical correction of vision is becoming increasingly popular. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most popular method of corneal refractive surgery. LASIK is usually limited to adults who have stable refraction. Contraindications include the use of certain medications, conditions that impair healing, abnormal corneal anatomy, and inadequate tearing. Patients who cannot tolera...