Influence of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing on antibiotic prescription habits in primary care in the Netherlands
ConclusionIndications to perform POC-CRP test and the prescription pattern of antibiotics based on CRP value varied considerably between GPs. Differences in antibiotic prescription rate were most obvious in patients who presented with CRP values between 20 and 100 mg/l, and could in part be explained by the indication for performing POC-CRP test and patient age. Most GPs followed the DCGP guidelines and used low CRP values to underpin their decision to refrain from antibiotic prescription. Peer-based reflection on differences in POC-CRP usage and antibiotic prescription rate amongst GPs may further nourish a more critical ...
Source: Family Practice - September 1, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Patient characteristics do not predict the individual response to antihypertensive medication: a cross-over trial
ConclusionIn a relevant group of primary care patients with newly diagnosed hypertension, we were unable to detect predictors of treatment response. This study rather supports the United States and European guidelines than the United Kingdom and Dutch guidelines on hypertension. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 31, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Quick screening tool for patients with severe negative emotional reactions to chronic illness: psychometric study of the negative emotions due to chronic illness screening test (NECIS)
ConclusionThe NECIS has satisfactory psychometric properties for use in the primary care setting. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 31, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Stewardship of primary care physicians to contain cost in health care: an international cross-sectional survey
ConclusionPCPs show moderate stewardship of health care resources with large intercountry differences. Cost-awareness may not be a necessary precondition for cost-consideration, and policies aimed at raising cost-consideration may be more important. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 31, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
The role of physicians and their professional bodies in containing health care costs
Containing health care costs is a key policy priority in many countries, in which all stakeholders potentially play a role. Physicians may play an important role in controlling health care spending, for example by reducing lower-value services and by encouraging patients to engage in shared-decision making (1). Physicians are in a good position to address health care costs in an appropriate and justifiable manner, combining cost control with patient advocacy in delivering high-value services. This especially holds for family doctors who tend to work in low-cost environments and cover the vast majority of patient demands. F...
Source: Family Practice - August 31, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
General practitioners ’ perspective on poverty: a qualitative study in Montreal, Canada
ConclusionThe moral judgments and misunderstandings evidenced by GPs regarding poverty suggest avenues for improving general medical training. Understanding social determinants of health should be an important component of this training, to improve access to care for people living in poverty. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 24, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Just a click away: exploring patients ’ perspectives on receiving care through the Champlain BASETM eConsult service
ConclusionsPatients expressed acceptance for eConsult as a model for improving access to specialist care, had largely positive experiences with it as a model of care delivery, and supported its use in their future care. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 8, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Physician and practice characteristics associated with immunoglobulin test ordering
ConclusionFurther research is required to explore the potential reasons for higher requesting among GPs with fewer years of experience and also among female GPs. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 5, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Exploring the impact and use of patients ’ feedback about their care experiences in general practice settings—a realist synthesis
ConclusionsThere is limited research into how patient feedback has been used in primary health care practices or its usefulness as a stimulant to improve health care experience. Using a realist synthesis approach, we have identified a number of contextual and intervention-related factors that appear to influence the likelihood that practitioners will listen to, act on and achieve improvements in patient experience. Consideration of these may support research and improvement work in this area. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - August 3, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Evaluating an Indigenous health curriculum for diabetes prevention: engaging the community through talking circles and knowledge translation of results
ConclusionCommunity researchers undertook detailed knowledge translation activities of facilitators, barriers and recommendations with hospital and education centre administrators and Kahnaw à:ke community to maximize uptake of findings before external dissemination of results. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 24, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Treatment of nocturnal leg cramps by primary care patients over the age of 60
ConclusionsThis study sheds light on the great diversity of therapeutic practices for cramps in outpatient care. Many of the treatments reported by patients have not previously been described in the medical literature. We recommend GPs to ask their patients about the treatments they take for cramps in order to make sure that they are safe. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 24, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Point-of-care testing in primary care patients with acute cardiopulmonary symptoms: a systematic review
ConclusionThere is currently limited and inconclusive evidence that actual GP use of POCT in primary care patients with acute cardiopulmonary symptoms leads to more accurate diagnosis and affects clinical management. However, some studies show promising results, especially when a POCT is combined with a clinical decision rule. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 23, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Qualitative research on infertile Chinese couples ’ understanding of sexuality
ConclusionThese findings should be highly considered by family physicians in their practice to provide infertile couples with information related to sexual well-being, coping styles, relationship, etc. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 23, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Maintained effect of a training program on attitudes towards depression in family physicians
ConclusionsAttitudes towards depression in FDs can be modified by a structured training program, and this change is maintained over the long term. A short training in psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioural, problem-solving based and psycho-educative oriented) significantly increases the confidence of FDs in treating depression. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 23, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
Focus on early-career GPs: qualitative evaluation of a multi-faceted educational intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing
ConclusionThe educational intervention was received positively. Early-career GPs thought it influenced their prescribing behaviour and improved their confidence in non-prescribing. Interventions that target teams (e.g. entire practice) could minimize conflict, ensure consistency of messages and support overall antibiotic stewardship in primary care. (Source: Family Practice)
Source: Family Practice - July 17, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: research
