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The recently published 'Research Agenda for General Practice/Family Medicine and Primary Health Care in Europe' summarizes the evidence relating to the core competencies and characteristics of the Wonca Europe definition of GP/FM, and its implications for general practitioners/family doctors, researchers and policy makers. The European Journal of General Practice publishes a series of articles based on this document. In a first article, background, objectives, and methodology were discussed. In a second article, the results for the two core competencies 'primary care management' and 'community orientation' were presented. This article reflects on the three core competencies, which deal with person related aspects of GP/FM, i.e. 'person centred care', 'comprehensive approach' and 'holistic approach'. Though there is an important body of opinion papers and (non-systematic) reviews, all person related aspects remain poorly defined and researched. Validated instruments to measure these competencies are lacking. Concerning patient-centredness, most research examined patient and doctor preferences and experiences. Studies on comprehensiveness mostly focus on prevention/care of specific diseases. For all domains, there has been limited research conducted on its implications or outcomes.

Background: Research presented at scientific meetings is inaccessible to clinicians, unless the findings are subsequently published in a journal., Aims: To assess the publication rate of studies presented at 10 European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN) meetings between 1999 and 2006., Methods: Survey by e-mail or postal questionnaire among all presenters., Results: Information was obtained on 251 presentations (response rate 60%). In total, 113 out of these 251 (45%) presentations had been published. However, only 60% of the research findings were published in English Medline-listed journals, whereas 20% were not Medline-listed. The most frequently cited reason for non-publication was that the paper had not been submitted yet at time of follow up (103 responses). The main reason for non-submission was that the research presented had not been completed yet., Conclusion: Presentations at EGPRN meetings commonly concern research ideas or ongoing research. In this light, the ratio of published work to presented work compares well with the corresponding ratios found for international meetings in other specialist fields. This survey was also meant as an audit of the EGPRN meetings and gives better insight in needs for future strategy.

Vaccination against infection with human influenza virus is considered to be one of the most effective preventive measures available, especially when complications such as hospitalisation or death and indirect costs from off-work are considered. General practice is the preferable place for annual influenza vaccination because here the elderly and those endangered from bad health conditions are cared for frequently and regularly. The aim of this study was to find out the frequencies of influenza vaccination by Lower Saxonian contract physicians during three time periods with special respect to patients of older age or at risk. Data from two sources of health-care service have been analysed, namely from the contract physicians' union of Lower Saxony with all physicians vaccinating against influenza in the winter seasons of 1995/1996, 2002/2003, and 2005/2006, and from direct access to the electronic practice record system of 79 general practices via the BDT software data interface. Contract physicians, of whom more than 90 % are general practitioners, from Lower Saxony, vaccinate patients of the statutory health insurance against influenza in markedly increasing numbers, since 1995/1996 and 2002/2003 up to 2005/2006. Those over sixty years old or at high risk from bad health conditions are vaccinated up to seven-fold more frequently, compared to other patients. Influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) are significantly higher in small and in medium-sized practices, compared to those with many patients. Nevertheless, influenza VCRs in Lower Saxony are not yet as high as would be necessary or desirable when compared internationally. Secondary analysis of aggregated health service data revealed inconsistencies in the primary material on cross-checking and validating, probably being caused during the external process of data aggregation and anonymisation. Also major systematic obstacles were found in the subsequent process of analysis. Nevertheless, fundamental results have been produced and are valid for all statutory health insured Lower Saxonians. Data from direct access to electronic practice records allowed for a deeper and multi-faceted insight into 101 928 patients of the same population, limited by the possibility of selection bias ('convenience sample'). Secondary analysis of health service data from different sources and their cross-check comparison is possible and successful. It is important to inform and involve the holder of the primary data extensively, following the guide lines of "good practice secondary data analysis"., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart * New York.)

Setting health and treatment priorities is necessary when caring for multiple and complex patient issues. This is already done in the doctor-patient consultation-yet implicitly rather than explicitly. The aim of this European General Practice Network workshop was to advance a consultation approach that deals with shared priority setting. The workshop was divided into three parts: (1) how to gain a comprehensive health overview for patients with multiple problems as a basis for priority setting; (2) how to establish priorities considering patient and doctor perspectives; and (3) how to practice a communication style that achieves shared priority setting. The workshop participants preferred to gain information on patients' health status using documentations from patient records rather than conducting systematic assessments. The group emphasized that medical as well as everyday life problems need to be considered when determining priorities, a procedure that requires time and resources not readily available in daily practice. Existing skills for person-centred communication with patients should be applied in order to agree on priorities. Overall it became apparent how challenging it is to arrange and prioritize an array of health problems in a consultation with patients. Existing concepts augmented by innovative systematic methods may be the way forward.

Background: Integrating patients' priorities can improve the quality of care in general practice. Therefore, we aimed to learn more about patients' priorities in terms of their dizziness complaints., Methods: Patients were recruited by nine general practitioners. Inclusion criteria were an age of at least 65 years and dizziness due to any cause for any duration, assuring heterogeneity of included patients. Semi-structured interviews of 20 patients (12 women, mean age 79 years) were analysed by qualitative content analysis., Results: Patients were very much focused on finding causes for their dizziness, and some found their doctor had not taken the dizziness problem seriously yet. Each patient expressed own theories of aetiology that sometimes revealed apparent misconceptions of possible causes. Treatment aims were prioritised by patients in different ways (wish for recovery, relief or stabilisation). Some patients had not very well understood common therapy options, and interviewees frequently mentioned what they did on their own to face the dizziness (self-help measures). Remarkably, many patients were very much concerned about different aspects of mobility (fear of falling, loss of independence)., Conclusion: These patients' lack of understanding, their resources and concerns indicate the importance of a patient-centred communication about their dizziness complaints.

Background: The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) has had a major impact on chronic care provision in British general practice. Various countries are looking at whether a similar initiative could be used in their primary care systems. An extensive quality indicator system like the QOF does not exist in German general practice., Aim: To describe and explore the views of German general practitioners (GPs) on the clinical indicators of the QOF., Methods: Qualitative study based on focus group discussions and a framework approach for data analysis. Fifty-four German GPs were involved in seven focus groups in German primary care practices., Results: German GPs expressed mixed views regarding the validity of the QOF clinical indicators to measure the quality of primary care. Most thought that these indicators covered areas that were relevant for German general practice and which were only partially covered by German quality initiatives. Participants had mixed opinions regarding linking pay and performance. Many thought that in deprived areas it would be difficult to achieve targets. Exception reporting would make achieving these targets easier, however, some believed it could lead to manipulation of figures. Many GPs saw QOF clinical indicators as a helpful structure, yet feared that introducing something similar would increase the administrative workload and be a threat to patient-centred care. Many participants were anxious that a QOF-like system could be influenced by sickness funds or the pharmaceutical industry. A few feared data protection problems if such a system were to be implemented. Several GPs expressed concerns on who would set and control such quality initiatives, feared for their autonomy and expected that in the future similar systems would be imposed upon them., Conclusions: Participating German GPs had various concerns regarding the QOF clinical indicators and the idea of implementing a system like the QOF in German primary care. These concerns were mainly related to the validity of the indicators, the link between pay and performance, structured care versus patient centredness and the fear of external influences.

Background: National and international guidelines for the management of congestive heart failure (HF) suggest a variety of procedures for establishing its diagnosis and monitoring its course. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate which of these recommendations were actually implemented and documented in the setting of general medical practice., Methods: Patients receiving at least one cardiovascular drug (World health [WHO] anatomical chemical classification [ATC] class C) were identified from electronic medical records from 5 general practices from 1.4.2001 to 1.10.2004. Those patients with the documented diagnosis of HF were selected. All patients' records were reviewed and those diagnostic procedures and clinical findings were recorded on a standardized data extraction form that had been used to establish the diagnosis of HF., Results: An electrocardiogram had been documented or retrieved in the chart in 41.2% of a total of 829 patients, an chest X-ray in 28.2%, an echocardiogram in 17.2%, and a cardiac catheterization performed in 1.8%. Serum natriuretic peptides were never recorded. Additionally the following symptoms and clinical signs were extracted from the paper chart: ankle edema (39.3%), exertional dyspnea (22.7%), rales (21.5%), cardiomegaly (19.0%), paroxysmal dyspnea (16.6%), pleural effusions (9.2%), tachycardia (6.7%) and acute pulmonary edema, hepatomegaly, nocturnal cough or jugular venous distension in fewer than 5%., Conclusion: Only a few of those clinical signs and diagnostic procedures recommended by guidelines for diagnosing HF were recorded in general practice. The reasons for this finding remain unclear. Even under the assumption that not all observed clinical signs and diagnostic procedures were documented, these findings reflect the actual diagnostic strategy in daily practice. The observed discrepancy between guideline recommendation and reality in everyday practice deserve attention. On the one hand, there is a need for improving the diagnostic approach to HF; on the other, guidelines need to set priorities of the recommendations for diagnosing HF., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.New York.)

At the WONCA Europe conference 2009 the recently published 'Research Agenda for General Practice/Family Medicine and Primary Health Care in Europe' was presented. The Research Agenda is a background paper and reference manual for GPs/ family doctors, researchers and policy makers, providing advocacy of general practice/family medicine GP/FM in Europe. The Research Agenda summarizes the evidence relating to the core competencies and characteristics of the WONCA Europe definition of GP/FM, and its meaning for researchers and policy makers. Evidence gaps and research needs are pointed out to provide a basis for planning research for which there is a need and for action that may influence health and research policy, i.e. applying/lobbying for research funds. WONCA Europe and its associated networks and special interest groups could consider the agenda's research priorities when planning future conferences, courses, or projects, and for funding purposes. The European Journal of General Practice will publish a series of articles based on this document. In this first article, background, objectives, methodology and relevant literature are discussed. In subsequent articles, the results will be presented.

Introduction: Dizziness can be due to multiple causes. However, the aetiology often remains unclear. At the same time, there is a lack of evidence-based treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of dizziness-related diagnoses, referrals and prescriptions in a general practice database., Methods: Data from computerized patient records of 138 general practices participating in the MedViP project were used for cross-sectional analysis of the time period April 2001 until December 2002. The identification of dizzy patients was performed via ICD-10 diagnoses, free text fields and medication issued for dizziness. Frequencies were counted and odds ratios calculated to describe associations between diagnoses and medication., Results: For the period of investigation, 10,971 patients (from a total of 317,042 documented patients) were given at least one diagnosis of dizziness (prevalence 3.4%; mean age 59 years, 67.2% female). In 80.2% of the cases dizziness was coded as a symptom (R42) rather than a discrete disease. Prescriptions for dizziness were rather uncommon. An analysis of ATC codes showed that 6.6% of all affected patients were prescribed a specific drug for dizziness, most frequently betahistine. Antiemetics were prescribed in 7.1%, and the homeopathic preparation "Vertigoheel" in 2.8% of the dizzy patients. Betahistine was significantly more often prescribed for "unspecified" dizziness, vestibular neuritis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; but not for Meniere's disease. It was given less often in "other peripheral" and in central vertigo as well as in cases where the symptom was coded (R42). 3.9% of the dizzy patients had been referred to the neurologist (55.4%), ENT-specialist (30.5%) or to both specialists (14.1%)., Conclusions: The manner of coding and prescribing reflects both a symptom-orientated classification used by general practitioners and the limitation of treatment options.

Introduction: Home visits are an integral part of general practice. However, information on this subject is lacking in Germany. Therefore we aim to describe the quantity of home visits, the target population and the workload for general practitioners on the basis of computerised data routinely collected in general practices., Methods: The routine care data originate from 136 practices of the areas of Göttingen and Freiburg. Electronic patient records provided billing codes for home visits and consultations, patients' anonymous identification number, age, gender and ICD codes., Results: 84 practices with complete datasets of 158,383 patients were available for the cross-sectional analysis in 2002. 12% of all patients required at least one home visit - significantly more elderly and female patients. Half of all patients visited at home requested one visit, whereas nearly 5% needed at least fortnightly visits throughout the year. 2/3 of all visited patients received an emergency visit. The quantity and nature of diseases also influenced home visit status. The workload of an average practice contained 9 visits per 100 consultations. 15 practices provided datasets between 1997 and 2001. In this period the total number of home visits declined. Within the same period, the target group has increasingly been restricted to old patients., Conclusion: Old age, female gender, quantity and nature of diseases positively influence home visit status. Compared to general practices in other European countries, the workload caused by house calls seems high in this German sample. Over recent years the frequency of home visits has decreased. In view of the demographic changes, decisions will have to be made as to who will care for the growing numbers of old patients requiring home visits.

Background: Older people consume an increasing amount of medication. Polypharmacy is associated with an elevated risk of adverse health outcomes resulting in hospitalizations and sometimes death., Objectives: To describe the prevalence of prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications among older general practice patients living in the community. To determine predictors of polypharmacy (five or more prescribed drugs) from a variety of patient- and doctor-related factors., Methods: Sixty-seven randomly selected practices in two areas of Germany and 466 of their older patients (70+ years) were recruited for a geriatric assessment study. A cross-sectional analysis of health problems, GPs' awareness and their interventions was conducted. In this post hoc analysis, we assessed the medication use as reported by older patients and compared it with doctors' perceived medication regimens for their respective patients. The detailed assessment of patients' health and well-being enabled us to explore a variety of predictors of polypharmacy using logistic regression analysis with forward selection., Results: Study participants consumed an average of 3.7 prescribed medicines and an additional 1.4 OTC drugs. In all, 26.7% of patients used five and more chronically prescribed drugs. A set of five determinants predicted polypharmacy best: breathlessness, hypertension, dependency on instrumental activities of daily living, low subjective health and medication disagreement between doctors and patients., Conclusion: This older general practice population in Germany is among the top pharmaceutical user group of European study samples. Apart from disease-specific determinants, GPs should be aware that low subjective health and medication disagreement are independent predictors of polypharmacy.

Background and Purpose: Switching brand-name drugs to generics is reasonable and desired for economic reasons. Few data exist about problems, if any, during the switching in general practice. In this survey, the view of general practitioners (GPs) should be ascertained., Methods: GPs in five counties in the German federal states Thüringen and Baden-Württemberg, who took part in a study on generic drug prescribing, were asked to complete a questionnaire about experiences and attitudes toward generic drug prescription., Results: A total of 195 (84%) of 233 GPs answered the questionnaire. Two thirds (127/195) stated, that brands and generics are pharmacologically equivalent. Many of these GPs estimated to prescribe generic drugs in > 50% of instances; fewer doctors did so, if they had doubts as to the equivalence of generics (65% vs. 46%; p < 0.05). Nearly 8% reported generics being less effective, and 10% observed new adverse effects after switching. Many GPs appointed the following barriers: cooperation with hospitals and colleagues (86%), GP's lack of time (68%), and communication problems with the patient (50%). GPs estimated that > 10% of patients strictly reject generic drugs., Conclusion: An optimized cooperation between GPs and hospital physicians could facilitate the consumption of generic potential in pharmacotherapy. Reasons for the obvious contrast between the proven pharmacological equivalence of brand-name and generic drugs and the problems encountered after switching reported by GPs should be further studied.

Competence networks in medicine, involving departments of general practice (www.kompetenznetze-medizin.de), as well as a large research support program "General Practice" funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/439.php) mirror the increasing importance of academic general practice for health services research. The use and benefit of computerized medical records is exemplified by the classification of therapeutic measures and prevalence estimates of diseases. Computerized medical records from 134 practices could be extracted via the BDT (BehandlungsDatenTräger) interface. Using SQL (structured query language) queries, we identified patients with urinary tract infection (UTI), airway obstruction and chronic heart failure and the therapeutic management for these illnesses. Age and sex of the patients were nearly completely documented in the BDT data. Patients with UTI (6,239 consultations) received most often cotrimoxazole (69%) and fluoroquinolone (15%), less often trimethoprim (9%) and herbal UTI drugs (4%). About half of the 2,714 patients with asthma received inhaled steroids, to a somewhat lesser degree than patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (50 vs 53%). In a subsample of practices (n=44), we identified 4,120 patients with a diagnosis of chronic heart failure. Using refined analysis tools, computerized medical records from general practices may be helpful to answer relevant questions of health services research and contribute to quality assurance in ambulatory patient care.

Background: Non-participation of General Practitioners (GPs) hampers primary care research. Using existing network structures can improve participation, but may introduce sampling effects., Objectives: To examine the role of network-based recruitment and other determinants of participation, and to estimate effects of sampling and non-participation on generalizability., Methods: For a study of quality of care assessment, we recruited GPs from a regionally defined population and a GP network. Effects of sampling and non-participation were analysed by comparing characteristics between participants, target samples, and reference data for all German GPs. Factors influencing study participation were assessed in multiple logistic regression., Results: Compared to the regional sample, network GPs were more likely to complete survey questionnaires (92% versus 69%) and to participate in the study (66% versus 23%). Compared to national reference data, study participants from both populations were younger, had a higher level of professional training, and included more men. These differences were already present in the network target sample, but were largely attributable to selective participation in the regional sample. Network membership remained the strongest determinant of participation in multiple logistic regression (odds ratio 5.01; 95% confidence interval 2.53-9.91). A younger age, higher professional training, and membership in the German Society of General Practice were also predictive of participation., Conclusions: Although network-based recruitment of GPs increases participation rates, sample effects are similar in size and direction as effects of non-participation in the regionally defined population. Careful analysis of participants based on publicly available data is therefore crucial for the assessment of generalizability.

Background: Though guidelines for the management of urinary tract infections (UTI) exist in several European countries, little is known about GPs' adherence, and the appropriateness of their management with regard to antibiotic resistance., Objectives: To describe German GPs' management of female patients with symptoms of UTI, to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dipsticks in a German general practice setting, to develop diagnostic prediction rules for culture-confirmed UTI, and to compare the adequacy of empirical treatment strategies and GPs' actual prescriptions., Methods: In 36 (of 118 invited) teaching general practices, urine cultures and resistance testing were performed during 4 months on all symptomatic patients. GPs completed a questionnaire on each patients' symptoms, risk factors and treatment. Adequacy of different treatment approaches was calculated based on culture results., Results: 445 adult women (76% of all patients) were included, with a median age of 53 years. Complicating factors were present in 27%. Urine culture revealed UTI in 77%. GPs' diagnostic accuracy, using both dipsticks and clinical impressions, was low. A positive nitrite test, dysuria and older age were the only predictive factors of culture-confirmed UTI, however the negative predictive value of dipsticks is low (35%). Empirical treatment of all symptomatic patients with either nitrofurantoin or fluoroquinolones would result in a higher rate of appropriate therapies than the individualized approach chosen by the GPs., Conclusion: Most patients with urinary symptoms were not treated according to current guidelines, and GPs' diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy was low. Empirical treatment of all symptomatic patients is probably the most effective policy, but implies unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in women with uncomplicated and complicated lower urinary tract infection (UTI) in Germany. In 36 (of 118 invited) general practices, urine cultures and resistance testing were performed during 4 months on all women presenting with symptoms of UTI. Each patient's symptoms, risk factors and treatment were documented. A total of 445 women were included, and their median age was 53 y. Complicating factors were present in 27% of women. Urine cultures were available for 430 patients. They were sterile in 23%, 53% had 10(5) cfu/ml or more, and 24% had 10(2)-10(4) cfu/ml. E.coli was the most frequent pathogen (68%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (10%) and Proteus spp. (10%). E.coli resistance levels were 25-40% for amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, first generation oral cephalosporins, trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole. Nine percent were resistant to fluoroquinolones. E.coli resistance remained low for nitrofurantoin (2%) and third generation oral cephalosporins (3%). Odds for E.coli resistance to most antibiotics were 2-5 times higher in patients with complicating factors, and increased with age. Resistance levels to all common antibiotics were high even in unselected females with UTI in general practices. Older or complicated patients had a significantly higher risk for resistance.

In Germany, use and contents of EPRs are largely unknown and expected to be highly variable, due to missing standards. We conducted a telephone survey to describe and compare computer documentation habits in general practices. Specifically, we were interested in: (1) the type of medical data recorded; and (2) which factors influence the extent to which doctors used the EPR while seeing their patients. The sampling frame consisted of family physicians participating in a general practice research project: 32% (145/452) of family physicians in the district of Göttingen, Lower Saxony, and 63% (52/83) of physicians from a quality assurance network of family practices in the district of Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg. With the exception of two practices in Göttingen, all practices (n = 165 of 167) took part in this survey. Diagnoses, digital codes for service fees, and prescriptions were computerized in nearly all practices, although doctors were significantly more involved in Freiburg than in Göttingen. Clinical symptoms and findings were recorded in 80% of Freiburg and 52% of Göttingen practices (p = 0.008). Overall, in 74% of Freiburg and 51% of Göttingen practices, the physicians opened the EPR while seeing patients (p = 0.022). Nearly half of the Göttingen practices (49%) and 24% of the Freiburg practices (p < 0.05) entered digital codes for service fees and diagnoses on paper before entering them electronically. In multivariate models adjusting for sex, target group and training specialty, internet access in the office was independently predictive of 'EPR-activity' (OR: 2.23; 95%-confidence interval: 1.12-4.43). There seems to be room for improvement in terms of degree and intensity of recording of clinically-relevant data. Technical interest, i.e., internet access in the office, seems to enhance electronic documentation activities.

Objective: To analyze the frequency and factors associated with drug change in a sample of patients referred to hospital by their general practitioner., Methods: This observational study is based on a chart review of 100 consecutively recruited patients with a chronic disease who were referred to the general internal medicine wards in each of 3 district general hospitals in Germany (total 300 patients). The frequency of drug cancellation, replacement, dosage alteration, change in manufacturer and of commencing treatment with a new drug were recorded., Results: Half of the drugs used in chronic treatment (644/1,330) and prescribed by general practitioners were continued during hospitalization. The fraction canceled was 36%. In the rest of the drugs in this group, there were some minor changes carried out by the hospital. On the day of the drug survey, a total of 1,572 drugs were being taken by the patients and 724 of these drugs were newly prescribed by hospital. Only 13 patients experienced no change to their drug regimen during their stay in hospital. In more than 60% of patients (184/300), there were 3 or more changes made in their drug regimen. The rate of drug cancellation for antihypertensive and cardiac drugs in patients referred to hospital for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular problems did not differ., Conclusion: During hospitalization, nearly every patient is confronted with some form of drug change. Of major concern is the high rate of drug change affecting drugs being taken for diseases other than that associated with the hospitalization. Hospital drug policy should encourage clinicians to continue drug regimens in newly admitted patients whenever medically appropriate and caution clinicians against making unnecessary changes to drug regimens prescribed by general practitioners.

The aim of the study was to assess the management of patients hospitalised for asthma with regard to the recommendations of the German Airway League, and the communication between hospital doctors and general practitioners (GPs). All records of patients discharged with asthma or COPD (ICD9) between 1/1996 and 6/1998 were retrieved (n = 169) in one general hospital. All patients whose asthma had been known in admission and was given as a reason for hospitalisation in the discharge letter were selected (n = 93). Treatment prescribed by the patients' GPs before hospitalisation as well as diagnostic procedures and treatment in hospital and the recommendations in the discharge letter were reviewed. Additionally the GPs were questioned with case vignettes. Before hospitalisation, most patients had been treated with theophyllin (66 %) and inhaled betamimetics (62 %), only 44 % had received topical and 29 % oral steroids by their GP. In hospital, lung function assessment was performed in only 8 % of the patients and there was no monitoring of the peak flow. The most commonly prescribed drugs were theophyllin (94 %), mucolytics (94 %) and antibiotics (82 %). Half of the patients (47 %) were discharged without adequate anti-inflammatory baseline treatment. The discharge letters did not contain detailed recommendations on future asthma management. There seems to be room for improvement with regard to the implementation of the German Airway League's recommendations both in hospital and in general practice: Few patients received systemic or inhaled steroids, whereas theophyllin and antibiotics were prescribed routinely. In hospital, airway obstruction was neither measured initially nor monitored. Communication between hospital doctors and GPs seems to be insufficient.

Background: In patients on oral anticoagulation with warfarin, genetic variations of the cytochrome P 450-CYP2C9 have recently been associated with very low warfarin requirements. Patients needing low doses had an increased risk for bleeding complications. In Germany, phenprocoumon (having a similar metabolic pathway) is the most commonly employed vitamin K antagonist. Treatment is usually monitored by general practitioners (GPs)., Objectives: To determine whether CYP2C9 variant alleles can serve as risk markers in general-practice patients anticoagulated with phenprocoumon., Methods: All adult anticoagulated patients in 12 teaching general practices and one university outpatient clinic were to be recruited. Blood samples were taken from 185 patients during routine anticoagulation controls and tested for CYP2C9 mutations. Subjects answered a questionnaire concerning bleeding complications, drug intolerance, and personal and family medical history. Phenprocoumon dosages required for stable anticoagulation were recorded. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated based on 2-way cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression models, t-tests used where appropriate., Results: Bleeding was reported by 19% of the patients, 2.2% of whom had suffered life-threatening bleeding. CYP2C9 variants were carried by 26.3% of 179 patients tested (17.9% *1/*2, 7.8% *1/*3, 0.6% *2/*3). While presence of a *2 allele was not associated with an increased risk (OR 0.35, CI 0.10-1.24), carriers of the rare *3 alleles had a higher risk of bleeding (OR 3.10, CI 1.02-9.40). With regard to bleeding, carrying CYP2C9*3 was highly specific (94%), though sensitivity was low at 17%; post-test probability of bleeding was 40%., Conclusions: CYP2C9*3 variants are associated with an increased bleeding risk in patients anticoagulated with phenprocoumon. Screening can identify patients with a high risk of bleeding. Appropriate clinical consequences (restricted indication for anticoagulation, careful induction, adjustment of target INR, closer monitoring or self-testing of INR) as well as the cost-effectiveness of screening for variant CYP2C9 with regard to patient outcomes should be subject of further research.

Aims of the Study: As part of an ongoing project on the utilisation of generic drugs in general practice we aimed at determining whether the transfer of prescriptions and patient characteristics from doctors' computerized medical records via the BDT (Behandlungsdatenträger) interface was feasible, and whether these data are suitable for research in pharmacoepidemiology., Methods: All 1,395 general practitioners from 6 regions in Germany were invited to participate in the 'generics project'; 232 (17 %) agreed. The 17 software companies whose systems were used by the participating practices were asked to grant access to the BDT interface. For a prescription survey, doctors were supposed to export BDT files from two 3-month periods each in 2000 and 2001. Data were anonymised and relevant information extracted with a special programme., Results: So far, BDT data are available from 79 practices. They are suitable for practice- and patient-related prescribing analyses. By filter modifications, additional information (such as diagnoses, referrals, clinical findings or accounting codes) can be obtained. The procedure was well accepted if doctors and practice staff were assisted by computer experts. Some difficulties, however, were encountered in obtaining access to the BDT-interface from the software companies. Lack of standardisation of the BDT interface required additional conditioning of the data., Conclusion: The BDT interface offers an opportunity to export computerised patient records without the requirement of additional documentation. If routine data are more readily available for health services research, a standardised data structure and open access must be assured e. g. by centralised certification via the Federal statutory health organisation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and compare treatment decisions and the influence of specific patient characteristics on asthma management in five European countries, and to relate this to existing guidelines., Methods: Using the technique of clinical judgement analysis, doctors in The Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Sweden and the Slovak Republic (40-100 doctors per country) were presented with sets of written simulated cases on asthma treatment. Patient characteristics were varied to determine their influence on the doctors' decisions. Decisions indicating over- and under-prescribing in relation to a gold standard derived from guidelines were also determined., Results: Doctors in The Netherlands prescribed more oral steroid courses and fewer antibiotics than doctors in Norway and Sweden, whereas doctors in Germany and the Slovak Republic prescribed the least oral steroids and the most antibiotics. Partially, this variation could be explained by differences in the underlying propensity to prescribe, but differences in the use of patient characteristics also contributed to the variation. Norwegian doctors were most inclined to increase the maintenance treatment of inhaled corticosteroids, which could best be explained by their relatively high focus on the patient's peak expiratory flow value. Compared with the gold standard, there was 25-56% under-prescribing of oral steroids, and 21-45% over-prescribing of antibiotics., Conclusions: The variation in treatment of asthma patients between doctors in different countries may, in part, be attributed to variations in the underlying propensity to prescribe, and in part to different use of clinical patient characteristics. These findings can be used in tailoring educational programmes to improve treatment practices.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are symptomatic infections of the urinary tract, mainly caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli. One in two women suffers from a UTI at least once in her life. The young and sexually active are particulaly affected, but it is also seen in elderly, postmenopausal women. The likelihood of recurrence is high. Diagnosis is made with regard to typical complaints and the presence of leucocytes and nitrites in the urine. A culture is unnecessary in most cases. Uncomplicated UTI should be distinguished from complicated UTI, which has a risk of severe illness. The treatment of choice--short-term therapy with trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin--is successful in over 80% of the cases. Co-trimoxazol fluoroquinolones or cephalsporins are not considered first-choice drugs. There are indications that general practitioners' (GPs') management of UTI is not always optimal, specifically concerning diagnostic tests, the application of second-choice antibiotics, and the length of prescribed treatment courses. Many points relevant to GPs requirefurther research, such as epidemiology and resistance of urinary pathogens in the community and natural history of UTI, as well as optimal management in elderly or complicated patients and men.

Background: The assessment of prescribing performance by aggregated measures mainly developed from automated databases is often helpful for general practitioners. For asthma treatment, the frequently applied ratio of anti-inflammatory to bronchodilator drugs may, however, be misleading if the specificity of a drug for the treatment of asthma, compared with other diseases, is unknown., Aim: To test the association of specific drugs with the diagnosis of asthma compared with other diagnoses., Design of Study: Cross-sectional study analysing prescription data from a retrospective chart review., Setting: Eight general practices and one community respiratory practice in a town in Northern Germany., Method: All patients in the participating practices who received at least one of the 50 asthma drugs most frequently prescribed in Germany within the past 12 weeks were identified. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (ClI) were calculated to reveal any association between a specific drug and the diagnosis of asthma. The unit of analysis was the item prescribed., Results: Topical betamimetics (e.g salbutamol, fenoterol) were the most often prescribed asthma drugs in the general practices (52.1 ) and in the respiratory practice (57.6%). Inhaled steroids accounted for 15% and 13%; systemic steroids accounted for 10% and 13%, respectively. In the general practices, inhaled betamimetics had a moderate marker function for asthma (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.14-3.58). A fixed oral combination drug of clenbuterol plus ambroxol was a marker drug against asthma (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.20-0.61). In the respiratory practice, the diagnosis of asthma was strongly marked by fixed combinations of cromoglycate plus betamimetics (OR = 29.0; 95% CI = 6.86-122.24) and moderately by inhaled betamimetics (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.28-5.14). In contrast, systemic steroids (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.10-0.57) and even inhaled steroids (OR = 0.46; 95% ClI= 0.22-0.96) proved to contradict the diagnosis of asthma., Conclusion: Only betamimetics were markers for asthma patients in both types of practices; inhaled steroids, however, were not. Combinations of cromoglycate were markers in the respiratory practice only. Limited specificity of drugs for a disease (e.g asthma) should be taken into account when analysing prescribing data that are not diagnosis linked.

The aim was to identify differences and similarities in views regarding asthma management among general practitioners in four European countries (Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden), and to explore reasons for suboptimal performance. The results are to be used for the development and tailoring of educational interventions. Semistructured interviews with 20 GPs in each country were conducted and analysed using a phenomenographic approach. The domains of (i) general view of asthma, (ii) the doctor-patient relationship in managing asthma, and (iii) overall management of asthma (treatment goals and evaluation of results) were approached during the interviews. There were different ways of experiencing phenomena related to asthma management both within and between the four countries. Three general views on asthma were found where different perspectives were emphasised: a medical, a 'global' (including community health, social and environmental aspects) and a patient's perspective. Within the medical perspective, only a few German doctors emphasised a psychological aetiology of asthma. The views on the doctor-patient relationship described as 'authoritarian', 'teaching' or 'empowering' occurred similarly in all countries. The majority of the doctors showed confidence in the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical treatment of asthma, some doctors were concerned about limitations, but only in Germany a few doctors were explicitly critical of the values of conventional pharmaceutical treatment. The main treatment goals were either conceived as getting the patient symptom-free (Netherlands, Norway, and Germany) or to control the inflammatory process (Sweden). Several German and some Norwegian doctors expressed the view that patients had to accept the disease and learn how to manage it, while a few German doctors aimed at alternative treatments of asthma. The existence of qualitatively different ways of experiencing asthma management, both in and between countries, calls for consideration when trying to implement general evidence-based treatment guidelines. A variation of approaches in continuing medical education for GPs is needed to address such existing beliefs and conceptions that could sometimes be opposed to the content of educational messages.

Discrepancies between asthma management in general practice and national as well as international guidelines and recommendations are currently not fully explained. Subjective conceptions, ideas and beliefs are likely to be as important as factual knowledge when physicians decide how to treat their patients. Our study is part of the European Drug Education Project, an international project promoting rational pharmacotherapy in 5 European countries. Interviews on asthma and its treatment were conducted with 20 general practitioners in Germany, emphasizing beliefs and ideas on the disease and its origins as well as treatment goals and options rather than factual knowledge. Qualitative analysis was performed using a phenomenographic approach. Phenomenography aims at describing "subjective" reality, as it is conceived by people to understand learning and reflection processes. Even though most physicians know the treatment recommendations for asthma, adherence is variable. Reasons can be found in the variability of disease conceptions, often emphasizing psychosomatic or patient-centered aspects. The importance of individual treatment goals and experience of the doctor-patient relationship in a general practice setting is highlighted. Uneasiness concerning specialist recommendations on disease management and pharmacotherapy are commonly expressed. There are considerable variations in the physicians' conceptions on asthma and its management. Understanding these attitudes can provide a rational basis for the development of guidelines and implementation strategies corresponding to the needs of primary care physicians.

Purpose: To analyse retrospectively the results of different treatment regimens of carcinomas of the floor of the mouth and tongue., Materials and Methods: Between 1982 and 1992, 61 patients with carcinoma of the floor of the mouth and 30 with tongue cancer (25 stage I, nine stage II, 28 stage III, 29 stage IV) were treated in the radiotherapy department of Poitiers. Nine patients with stage I tumours were treated with 70 Gy low-dose rate brachytherapy only, without nodal dissection. Stages II and III were treated with combined surgery with neck dissection; and radiotherapy of stage II with nodal metastasis and for all stage III cases. Stage IV cases were treated either surgically if possible, or with combined chemotherapy and radiation., Results: The five-year overall survival rate was 87.3% for stage I, 68.5% for stage II, 45.3% for stage III, and 0% for stage IV patients. Most relapses appeared in the first two years after treatment. Eight patients (32%) with stage I cancer developed nodal relapses, isolated in five cases. Complications of radiotherapy were acceptable. Four cases of osteonecrosis were observed after radiotherapy. All of these appeared simultaneously with a local relapse., Conclusion: These results are comparable with reports in the literature. The remarkable observation of our study is the high incidence of nodal recurrences after local treatment of stage I tumours. Therefore, local treatment is insufficient for early-stage tumours. The question of neck dissection for the early stage is discussed.

Objective: To evaluate adherence of general practitioners to treatment guidelines regarding urinary tract infections in three European countries and to investigate whether differences in adherence at the prescribing level within and between countries could be explained by general practitioners' knowledge and attitudes, characteristics, or national setting., Design: Prescribing data collected in 1994-1995 were analyzed regarding use of first-choice drugs and duration of treatment, knowledge and attitudes were assessed with a questionnaire, and multiple regression analysis was used to explain differences in prescribing behavior within and between countries., Results: Our study is based on data from 85.6% of the 584 general practitioners who were scheduled to participate in a continuing education program. The mean proportion of responses in agreement with the guidelines regarding first-choice drugs was 0.69 in Sweden, 0.78 in the Netherlands, and 0.79 in Norway; regarding duration of treatment, the mean proportion was 0.56 in Sweden, 0.67 in the Netherlands, and 0.59 in Norway. The proportion of first-choice drugs prescribed for women (18-75 y) was 0.55 in Sweden, 0.83 in the Netherlands, and 1.00 in Norway (patients >16 y). The duration of treatment was 7.6 defined daily doses per prescription in Sweden, 5.9 in the Netherlands, and 6.6 in Norway. Knowledge and attitudes explained 0-17% of the variation in prescribing. Years in practice explained 0-11%, and the general practitioners' gender had no explanatory value. The national setting explained most of the variation between countries., Conclusions: Differences in prescribing behavior can be explained only to a small extent by deviations from the guidelines in terms of knowledge and attitudes. Between countries, differences in regulation, marketing, and distribution of drugs seem to be of much greater importance.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between guideline recommendations on asthma management, and the performance of doctors in five different European health care contexts. Knowledge, attitudes and prescribing behaviour of doctors recruited to an educational project was investigated. A total of 698 general practitioners from Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, and 94 specialists from the Slovak Republic participated. A questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge and attitudes. Antiasthmatic drugs dispensed to their patients reflected their prescribing behaviour. In response to questions on how to treat chronic asthma, most doctors were in agreement with guideline recommendations. In practice, however, the proportion of asthma patients receiving inhaled steroids varied almost twofold, ranging 31% in Germany to 58% in The Netherlands. On questions related to exacerbation of asthma, German and Slovakian doctors often preferred treatment with antibiotics to steroids. They also more often associated yellow-green sputum with bacterial infection. In conclusion, although many doctors in different health care contexts have accepted the recommendations given in guidelines, the proportion of their patients treated accordingly differed. German and Slovakian doctors seem to attach less importance to the inflammatory features of asthma than the doctors from the other three European countries.