OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The satisfaction degree of gastrointestinal endoscopy can directly affect the patient's compliance and further impact the treating effect. At present, there is no scale to evaluate the satisfaction degree of gastrointestinal endoscopy in China. This study aims to develop a satisfaction scale of gastrointestinal endoscopy suitable for national conditions and to evaluate its reliability and validity, which provides a tool for clinic to evaluate patients' satisfaction with gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: The original gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale was compiled by literature review, consulting senior endoscopists and experts. Through the first round of survey about 120 patients, the original scale was analyzed and modified according to the results to get the gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale (formal scale). The formal scale was used to conduct the second round of survey about 200 patients. The reliability and validity of the scale were analyzed and evaluated according to the survey results. RESULTS: The reliability of the original scale was good but the validity was poor. The formal scale had 2 dimensions and 10 items, the Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability were 0.889 and 0.823. The structure validity index χ²/df was 2.513, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.094, goodness of fit index (GFI) was 0.914, adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) was 0.861, comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.946, normed fit index (NFI) was 0.915. The aggregate validity was general, the discriminative validity was good, and the direct score of patients was strongly correlated with the total score of the scale. CONCLUSIONS The gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale has good reliability and validity, which can be used as a tool to evaluate patients' satisfaction with gastrointestinal endoscopy in China.
Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; China ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Patient Compliance ; Personal Satisfaction

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common disease that seriously affects health. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the preferred treatment for moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients. However, poor adherence to CPAP is a major obstacle in the treatment of OSAHS. Information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills, as a kind of mature technology to change the behavior, has been used in various health areas to improve treatment adherence. This study aims to explore the effects of the IMB skills intervention on CPAP adherence in OSAHS patients. METHODS: Patients who were primary diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSAHS were randomly divided into the IMB group (n=62) and the control group (n=58). The patients in the IMB group received CPAP therapy and the IMB skills intervention for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group received CPAP therapy and a usual health care provided by a registered nurse. We collected the baseline data of the general information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, and indicators about disease severity [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), percentage of time with arterial oxygen saturation SaO₂<90% (T90), average SaO₂, lowest SaO₂, arousal index]. After CPAP titration, we collected CPAP therapy-relevant parameters (optimal pressure, maximum leakage, average leakage, 95% leakage, and residual AHI), score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. After 4 weeks treatment, we collected the ESS score, HADS score, CPAP therapy-relevant parameters, effective CPAP therapy time per night, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, CPAP adherence rate, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. Visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-5 was used to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptance of IMB intervention measures in the IMB group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline level of demographic parameters, ESS score, HADS score, disease severity, and CPAP therapy related parameters between the IMB group and the control group (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy, as well as score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy after CPAP titration between the IMB group and the control group (both P>0.05). After 4 weeks treatment, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group were significantly decreased, while the score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy and willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); while the above indexes in the control group were not different before and after 4 weeks treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group after 4 weeks treatment were significantly lower (all P<0.05); the effective CPAP therapy time, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). The rate of CPAP therapy adherence in 4 weeks of the IMB group was significantly higher than that of the control group (90.3% vs 62.1%, P<0.05). The VAS of overall satisfaction with IMB skills intervention measures was 4.46±0.35. CONCLUSIONS IMB skills intervention measures can effectively improve the adherence of CPAP therapy in OSAHS patients, and is suitable for clinical promotion.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Motivation ; Oximetry ; Patient Compliance ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis* ; Syndrome

This article is the second part of the consensus. The principle of allergic diseases treatment is "combination of prevention and treatment, four in one":environmental control can avoid or reduce allergens, which is the first choice; allergen vaccine desensitization treatment is a cause-response treatment and has been considered as the first-line treatment; targeting drugs to block allergy or anti-allergy drugs to control symptoms is a commonly used symptomatic treatment method, which needs to be used with reference to the management of chronic diseases; Health education can change patients' misconceptions, improve their initiative and compliance, change their behavior, and improve the efficacy.
Humans ; Consensus ; Allergens ; Patient Compliance

Introduction: Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications is a leading cause of uncontrolled hypertension and its complications. However, data on the factors associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive medications in the communities of Sarawak, Malaysia, are limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and determinants of medication non-adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the systematic sampling method in four government primary healthcare clinics in Sarawak. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and evaluate non-adherence. Blood pressure was measured, and relevant clinical variables were collected from medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the determinants of medication non-adherence. Results: A total of 488 patients with uncontrolled hypertension were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of medication non-adherence was 39.3%. There were four predictors of medication non-adherence among the patients with uncontrolled hypertension: tertiary educational level (odds ratio [OR]=4.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.67–10.61, P=0.010), complementary alternative medication (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.12–3.69, P=0.020), non-usage of calcium channel blockers (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.02–2.41, P=0.039) and 1 mmHg increase in the systolic blood pressure (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00–1.05, P=0.006). Conclusion Because of the high prevalence of medication non-adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension, primary care physicians should be more vigilant in identifying those at risk of being non-adherent. Early intervention should be conducted to address non-adherence for blood pressure control.
Patient Compliance ; Hypertension ; Primary Health Care ; Malaysia

Background: There has been an increasing trend in reported sexual abuse patients in the Philippines in the past 20 years. Patient evaluation is critical from health care providers and it is imperative to have an acute care protocol that heath care providers can use in managing these patients. Objective: To assess the adherence to the acute care protocol as applied to adult female sexual abuse patients who consulted at the Philippine General Hospital OB Admitting Section from March to August 2019 Methods: The study design used was an observational, cross-sectional study via descriptive analysis using a designed questionnaire. Relevant data regarding compliance to the acute care protocol was assessed from patient experience via the questionnaire after undergoing the standard services of the hospital. Data was then documented, tabulated and processed via Microsoft Excel data sheets. Results: In terms of patient perspective, 96.2 % of all cases (n=27) were provided service by OBGYNs and psychiatrists and 100% were assessed by social workers. Although stated in the protocol, legal and/or police assistance was not provided by the hospital during patient consult. Conclusion The institution was able to adhere to the acute care protocol services of patients in terms of obstetric and gynecologic, psychiatric and social worker services but not legal and/or police assistance.
Humans ; Sex Offenses ; Patient Compliance

INTRODUCTION: Singapore has a rapidly ageing population and an increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compliance to AD medications is associated with treatment effectiveness. We investigated compliance to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and treatment persistence among patients seen at the General Memory Clinic of National University Hospital, Singapore. We also identified the reasons for non-compliance. METHODS: Patients seen at the General Memory Clinic between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014, who were prescribed AChEIs and NMDA receptor antagonist, were included in this retrospective cohort study. Non-compliance to medications was indirectly measured by failure to renew prescription within 60 days of the last day of medication supplied by the previous prescription. The reasons for non-compliance were identified. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were included. At one year, 107 patients were compliant to AD medications, while 37 patients were non-compliant. Around 60% of the non-compliant patients discontinued the use of AD medications within the first six months, and the mean persistent treatment period among this group of patients was 10.3 ± 3.5 months. The main reason for non-compliance was patients' and caregivers' perception that memory loss was of lower priority than other coexisting illnesses. Other reasons for non-compliance included side effects of medications (18.9%), perceived ineffectiveness of treatment (16.2%), inability to attend clinic (5.4%) and high cost of medications (2.7%). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the reasons for medication non-compliance can be identified early. Better compliance may be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach to patient education.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Caregivers ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Drug Costs ; Female ; Humans ; Interdisciplinary Communication ; Male ; Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Quality of Life ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the efficacy, compliance, and safety of bowel preparation between sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SPMC) and oral sulfate solution (OSS). METHODS: A prospective randomized multicenter study was performed. Split preparation methods were performed in both groups; the SPMC group, 2 sachets on the day before, and 1 sachet on the day of the procedure, the OSS group, half of the OSS with 1 L of water on both the day before and the day of the procedure. The adenoma detection rate (ADR), adequacy of bowel preparation using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score, patient satisfaction on a visual analog scale (VAS), and safety were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: This study analyzed 229 patients (121 in the SPMC group and 108 in the OSS group). ADR showed no differences between 2 groups (51.7% vs. 41.7%, P>0.05). The mean total BBPS score (7.95 vs. 8.11, P>0.05) and adequate bowel preparation rate (94.9% vs. 96.3%, P>0.05) were similar between the 2 groups. The mean VAS score for taste (7.62 vs. 6.87, P=0.006) was significantly higher in the SPMC group than in the OSS group. There were no significant differences in any other safety variables between the 2 groups except nausea symptom (36.1% vs. 20.3%, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Bowel preparation for colonoscopy using low volume OSS and SPMC yielded similar ADRs and levels of efficacy. SPMC had higher levels of satisfaction for taste and feeling than did OSS.
Adenoma ; Citric Acid ; Colonoscopy ; Compliance ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Nausea ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium ; Visual Analog Scale ; Water

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of hospital pharmacy residency programs in 1983, hospital pharmacists in South Korea have been expected to expand their roles. However, their services and the outcomes have not been fully understood. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of Korean hospital pharmacist-provided interventions with regard to intervention type, intervention consequences, and target patient groups. METHODS: A literature search of the following databases was performed: Embase, PubMed, Medline, KoreaMed, RISS, KMbase, KISS, NDSL, and KISTI. The search words were “hospital pharmacist”, “clinical pharmacist”, and “Korea”. Articles reporting clinical or economic outcome measures that resulted from hospital pharmacist interventions were considered. Numeric measures for the acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations were subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1,683 articles searched, 44 met the inclusion selection criteria. Most articles were published after 2000 (81.8%) and focused on clinical outcomes. Economic outcomes had been published since 2011. The interventions were classified as patient education, multidisciplinary team work, medication assessment, and guideline development. The outcome measures were physicians’ prescription changes, clinical outcomes, patient adherence, economic outcomes, and quality of life. The acceptance rate was 80.5% (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Studies on pharmacist interventions have increased and showed increased patient health benefits and reduced medical costs at Korean hospital sites. Because pharmacists' professional competency would be recognized if the economic outcomes of their work were confirmed and justified, studies on their clinical performance should also include their economic impact.
Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Education as Topic ; Patient Selection ; Pharmacists ; Pharmacy Residencies ; Prescriptions ; Quality of Life

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oral mesalazine is an important treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), and non-adherence to mesalazine increases the risk of relapse. Controlled-release (CR) mesalazine has 2 formulations: tablets and granules. The relative acceptabilities of these formulations may influence patient adherence; however, they have not been compared to date. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptabilities of the 2 formulations of CR mesalazine in relation to patient adherence using a crossover questionnaire survey. METHODS: UC patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in each group took either 4 g of CR mesalazine tablets or granules for 6 to 9 weeks, and then switched to 4 g of the other formulation for a further 6 to 9 weeks. The acceptability and efficacy were evaluated by questionnaires, and adherence was assessed using a visual analog scale. The difference in acceptabilities between the 2 formulations and its impact on adherence were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were prospectively enrolled and 33 patients were included in the analysis. Significantly more patients found the tablets to be less acceptable than the granules (76% vs. 33%, P=0.0005). The granules were preferable to the tablets when the 2 formulations were compared directly (73% vs. 21%, P=0.004), for their portability, size, and numbers of pills. The adherence rate was slightly better among patients taking the granules (94% vs. 91%) during the observation period, but the difference was not significant (P=0.139). CONCLUSIONS: CR mesalazine granules are more acceptable than tablets, and may therefore be a better option for long-term medication.
Colitis, Ulcerative ; Drug Compounding ; Humans ; Medication Adherence ; Mesalamine ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Patient Compliance ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Tablets ; Ulcer ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND: Because of its efficacy and safety, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is generally used to prepare for colonoscopy. However, the side effects of PEG, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, pain, and general weakness, tend to decrease patient compliance and satisfaction. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of PEG with 0.1 mg ramosetron on colonoscopy patients who had difficulty taking PEG due to side effects or large volume.METHODS: From January to August in 2012, 28 patients who visited Yeungnam University hospital for a colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. All enrolled patients were previous history underwent colonoscopy using PEG only in our hospital. The efficacy and safety of ramosetron were assessed through the use of a questionnaire, and compared previous bowel preparation.RESULTS: Compared to previous examination, the patients using the ramosetron reported less nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain, as well as a higher degree of compliance and satisfaction of the patient. There were no side effects reported with the use of ramosetron. However, overall bowel preparation quality was not better than the previous examination.CONCLUSION: In case of the use of ramosetron in combination with PEG for bowel preparation, patients experienced a higher rate of compliance and tolerance. Looking forward, ramosetron may become an option of pretreatment for bowel preparation.
Abdominal Pain ; Colonoscopy ; Compliance ; Humans ; Nausea ; Patient Compliance ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polyethylene ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting