Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common, consequential, and clinically neglected sexual problem. The current research is designed to study the experience of communication about ED among men with ED, partners of men with ED, and physicians who treat ED. Methods: Qualitative research with 10 men with ED, 10 female partners of men with ED, and 15 physicians who treat men with ED, was used to formulate questions pursued in quantitative research with larger samples of men with ED (N = 449), partners of men with ED (N = 429), and physicians who treat men with ED (N = 389), concerning communication about ED among these parties. Results: Men with ED and partners of men with ED reported strikingly similar perceptions of ED, positive responses to communicating about ED, and negative responses to failing to communicate about ED. Results concerning communication about ED with physicians, preferred attributes of oral therapy for ED, and correlates of PDE5 inhibitor therapy use are reported in Part II of this publication. Conclusions: These findings can be used to guide clinical counselling and patient education to facilitate communication about ED and treatment seeking for this condition where appropriate. ß 2005 WPMH

There was no difference in lowest mean oxygen saturation between the two groups. The application of AO during RSI did not prevent desaturation of patients in this study population.

We identify two main ED physician-perceived barriers to PC provision: lack of access to medical records and lack of 24/7 availability of PC team. ED physicians may not use the same criteria to initiate PC consultation as used in traditional inpatient PC trigger models. Outlining ED-specific triggers may help streamline the palliative consultation process.

A single dose of intramuscular betamethasone 12 mg was safe and as efficacious as prednisone in preventing the relapse of acute asthma. There was a trend toward a reduced relapse rate at seven days. In select ED patients discharged for acute asthma, intramuscular betamethasone may be an effective alternative to prednisone.