Family practice
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General practitioners' perceptions of low back pain (LBP) patients were investigated through a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews, as part of a wider study which also investigated patient perceptions. An exhaustive analysis of the interview transcripts revealed six principal ways in which GPs distinguished between different patients as a means of deciding how to treat them. This differentiation, on the basis of patient characteristics, is the major focus for the resulting discussion and conclusions, and is used as a way of exploring more effective strategies for the future.
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The objective was to analyse clinical and non-clinical factors associated with the receipt of a prescription for a benzodiazepine among general practice patients. A survey of 110 consecutive patient encounters (consultations) as recorded by a representative sample of general practitioners in inner urban, outer urban and rural settings was designed. A total of 286 general practitioners took part during 1991-2. 31,256 patients (10,683 male; 34%) were surveyed and the odds of receiving a benzodiazepine script measured. ⋯ There is a need to educate doctors about the non-drug management of insomnia. The stereotype of the doctor over-prescribing a benzodiazepine without an appropriate problem/diagnosis should be questioned. On the other hand, there is concern that patient age continues to be associated with a prescription of these medications, when all other clinical and non-clinical factors are taken into account.