Health care needs of gay men and lesbians in the United States
Article Abstract:
The American Medical Association recommends that physicians adopt a non-judgmental stance when dealing with their gay and lesbian patients. Gay and lesbian patients are often reluctant to reveal their sexual orientation and many physicians don't ask. This reduces the physician's ability to diagnose diseases that are unique to gays and lesbians. Some physicians have been observed providing reduced care to gays and lesbians or denying care altogether. Gay men are still becoming infected with HIV and many are still engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors. They are at risk of developing hepatitis, especially hepatitis B. Their risk of developing anal cancer ranges from 25 to 84 times higher than heterosexuals. They also have a higher risk of gastrointestinal and rectal diseases. Lesbians are less likely to acquire sexually transmitted diseases unless their partner is bisexual. Many bisexual women also engage in practices that put them at risk for HIV infection, which could be transmitted to their homosexual partner.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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Subverting randomization in controlled trials
Article Abstract:
Researchers who are implementing randomized clinical trials need to make sure the assignment of patients to one group or another is not revealed during the study. A 1995 study found that treatment outcomes appeared to be better in trials that were not able to completely conceal patient assignments. Two scientists who conduct epidemiology workshops for physicians found that many physicians admitted that they tried to determine the patient assignments during a clinical trial. Methods included looking at the sequence posted on a public bulletin board and holding envelopes containing the assignments up to a light bulb. Most of the participants did not realize the seriousness of their actions. This activity can be ascribed to the human desire to confirm that a favored treatment is effective. Most of these attempts to determine patient assignment can be prevented.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Clinical trial investigators talk about getting the data
Article Abstract:
Three biomedical researchers discuss the design and management of clinical trials. Clinical trials usually evaluate a specific treatment by comparing it to a placebo. These trials were first done shortly after World War II. It is often difficult to recruit patients for clinical trials, especially those with little education. It is also difficult to recruit patients if there have already been reports that the treatment is effective. This happens because many patients would be reluctant to be in the placebo group.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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