Family practice
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Polypharmacy carries the risk of adverse events, especially in people with multimorbidity. ⋯ There was a high prevalence of polypharmacy in community-dwelling adults in Quebec and a strong association with multimorbidity. The use of medications for primary prevention may contribute to polypharmacy and raise questions about safety.
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The majority of men who report urological symptoms of extreme concern or influence on daily activities do not contact their general practitioner (GP). No previous study on barriers to health care seeking with lower urinary tract symptoms in men has been carried out in a population-based setting. ⋯ Younger men more often report barriers to health care seeking, but the barriers differ between the different urological symptoms.
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Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) globally. Our research team has developed a CRC risk prediction tool for use in primary care to increase targeted screening. This study, Colorectal cancer RISk Prediction tool - patient ('CRISP-P'), aimed to determine the following to inform a future trial design: (i) the feasibility of self-reporting; (ii) the feasibility of recruitment methods; and (iii) the prevalence of CRC risk. ⋯ The tool was perceived as easy to use, although older, less educated people, and patients with English as their second language needed help. The data support the recruitment methods but not the use of a self-completed tool for an efficacy trial.
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In Germany, almost 50% of prescriptions for benzodiazepines and drugs as Zolpidem and Zopiclone are as out-of-pocket (OOP) prescriptions-requiring patients to buy the drug at their own expense-although almost 90% of the population has statutory health insurance covering medication costs. ⋯ Current regulations do not provide guidance to GPs regarding hypnotics and sedatives. A clear regulatory framework and guidelines could possibly reduce physicians' defensive attitudes about these drugs and their use of OOP prescriptions. The approach to use OOP prescriptions as a barrier to reduce patients' medication use lacks evidence regarding effectiveness.