Objective: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an autosomal dominant disorder causing elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from birth resulting in premature cardiovascular disease, is only diagnosed in 10% of affected patients. This study involved partnering with patients with FH and with primary care providers (PCPs) to understand…

Background: Engaging with the psychological well-being of patients is central to patient care. The empathy and psychological skills of practitioners may be enhanced by Balint training during the residency years. However, there is scarce evidence concerning the outcomes of Balint training beyond graduation. Objective: The aim of the study was to…

Background: Balint seminars are widely used educational activities in family medicine residency programs. However, their impact on measurable outcomes is uneven and controversial. The discussions in Balint seminars deal with perceiving and understanding the emotions of the participants. Objective: This study measures the effect of Balint seminars…

Objective: To determine individual and group patient ideas and priorities regarding ways to enhance their own health care while providing a supportive environment including a clinical lipidologist and other medical experts. The intent was to transform these ideas and priorities into hypotheses for future research while enhancing current health…

Objective: Not being able to effectively communicate with a new physician because of high anxiety associated with the interaction could lead to issues not being addressed, or even inaccurate diagnoses. Using uncertainty reduction and media richness theories as guidance, this study sought to find ways health educators within healthcare…

Objective: Perceived self-efficacy (PSE) is considered a foundation for effective self-care in the context of chronic disease and illness. In order to improve patient and caregiver knowledge about self-care in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we designed and delivered an online, patient-focused education activity. Educational impact on PSE was…

Objective: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot is an award-winning biography engaging its readers on important topics ranging from race, science and ethics to the social determinants of health. However, the multiple pedagogic impacts of this book on the public health classroom setting have yet to be comprehensively…

Background: Older adults experience a high rate of falls when they transition to community-living following discharge from hospital. Objectives: To describe the proportion of older adults who could recall having discussed falls and falls prevention strategies with a health professional within 6 months following discharge from hospital. To describe…

Objective: This study aimed to investigate how patients with chronic conditions evaluate telephone health coaching provided by their health insurance company. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted among coaching participants ("n" = 834). Outcomes included the general evaluation of the coaching, the evaluation of process and…

Objectives: This study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians in promoting physical activity to prostate cancer survivors. Design: A purposeful sample was used and cross-sectional data were collected using an anonymous, self-reported online questionnaire or an identical paper-based questionnaire. Settings: Health services…

Background: Effective communication is essential to the practice of high-quality medicine. There are methodological challenges in communication skills training. This study was performed in order to assess the educational benefits of communication skills training by video feedback method versus traditional formats such as lectures on clinical…

Objective: Literature on participatory health care suggests that, though many patients desire basic information, a substantial number prefer a passive role. This variability is explored as a function of laypersons' beliefs about the nature of medical knowledge, referred to as epistemological beliefs, through the evaluation of a newly-developed…

Objective: To explore the effects of brief training in Motivational interviewing (MI) for medical students. Design: Video recordings of consultations between 113 final-year medical students and simulated patients were scored blind by two independent raters with the Motivational Interviewing Skill Code (MISC). Half of the students participated in a…

Objectives: The aims of the pilot study presented here were to determine whether low income women were receiving compendious breastfeeding advice from their attending physicians. Design: This study assessed low income women's reports of physician breastfeeding advice using a newly designed Likert scaled survey based on the American Surgeon…