March/April 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Balint Groups as a Means to Increase Job Satisfaction and Prevent Burnout Among General Practitioners
By Dorte Kjeldmand, G.P., Ph.D. and Inger Holström, R.N., Ph.D.

Paper Versus PDA, Which is Better for Data Collection?

Comparing the completeness of survey data gathered using handheld computers or paper forms in the practice setting, researchers find that while handheld computers produce more complete data, they were not necessarily superior because of the large amount of missing data due to technical difficulties and stolen or lost handheld computers.

Data Collection Outcomes Comparing Paper Forms with PDA Forms in an Office-Based Patient Survey
By James M. Galliher, Ph.D., et al

Barriers to Implementing Chronic Care Management in Ontario, Canada

Examining both the patient and the physician experience with chronic illness care management in Ontario, Canada, researchers find the approach is difficult to implement within the traditional biomedical framework of physicians and is generally not noticed by patients. The authors conclude that pervasive individual barriers combined with a lack of system-based support suggest that this approach is unlikely to have a major impact on the Ontario health care system at this time.

Beyond Fighting Fires and Chasing Tails? Chronic Illness Care Plans in Ontario, Canada
By Grant Russell, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.G.P., M.F.M, Ph.D., et al

Narrative Reports: A Useful Tool for Evaluating Implementation Research

Analyzing an intervention to integrate pharmacists into group family practices, researchers found that narrative reports can be effective qualitative tools for tracking and evaluating the early stages of implementation research in which process evaluation plays an important role in the interpretation of findings.

Narrative Reports to Monitor and Evaluate the Integration of Pharmacists Into Family Practice Settings
By Kevin Pottie, M.D., C.C.F.P., M.C.I.Sc., F.C.F.P., et al

One Family Physician’s Reflections on the Fundamental Aspects of Healing Relationships

In this personal essay, a family physician recalls a child’s spontaneous desire to help her mother during an office visit and how that prompted her to reflect upon the multidimensional nature of healing.

Healing With the Needles
By Mary P. Guerrera, M.D.

A New Generation of Physicians, a New Respect for Work-Life Balance

Inspired by a conversation with his personal physician, this family physician reflects on the challenges facing physicians today as they struggle to strike the proper balance between career and personal life.

Success, Regret, and the Struggle for Balance
By Joseph A. Carrese, M.D., M.P.H.