Entering the loop: assessing the contribution of XXXX clinics in northern Britain.

@entity1 @entity16 @entity158
A survey of @entity1 attending ten outpatient @entity158 clinics throughout northern Britain was undertaken to identify opportunities for improving the treatment of @entity158 @entity1 . A short data collection form was designed to obtain information at every @entity1 consultation. The @entity1 were found to be a diverse group, many with @entity158 problems. For many @entity1 meaningful diagnoses could not be obtained. The focus of the study was altered to address a selected group of @entity1 : those with @entity158 . This group was selected because it was comparatively easy to define, and previous studies suggested that @entity16 @entity158 might not always be well managed. Many @entity1 were found not to have had adequate trials of potentially effective therapies prior to attendance at the @entity158 clinics. Some of these therapies, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants, could have been prescribed by general practitioners. However, there were also substantial differences between the clinics in the proportion of @entity1 receiving particular therapies. Finally, although many @entity1 had psychological morbidity few were offered psychological assessment and management. These studies have shown that the @entity158 clinics provide a range of therapies which @entity1 are unlikely to receive elsewhere. But there is scope for improvement in the management of @entity1 in @entity158 clinics and efforts are currently being directed towards this.
