Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Nov 2024
'Shades of grey': a focus group study on diagnostic uncertainty among general practitioners using point-of-care ultrasound.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has long been a diagnostic tool in family medicine, although most Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) who use POCUS, scans infrequently. The broad scope of family medicine, the relatively low prevalence of illnesses and infrequent use of POCUS imply that GPs may experience diagnostic uncertainty regularly. ⋯ POCUS-using GPs experienced diagnostic uncertainty when using POCUS that aligned with other diagnostic uncertainties they experienced in everyday practice. However, they did not treat the results like other findings, as the GPs at times withheld their POCUS findings when interacting with secondary care specialists. This requires further investigation.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Nov 2024
Antibiotic treatment recommendations for acute respiratory tract infections in Scandinavian general practices-time for harmonization?
During recent years, the world-including Scandinavia-has experienced significant challenges with shortages of antibiotics. In Scandinavia, phenoxymethylpenicillin is recommended as first-line antibiotic treatment for most acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). However, the Scandinavian countries each constitute rather small markets for phenoxymethylpenicillin. The aim of this discussion paper is to enlighten the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This information is fundamental for exploring the potential of harmonizing treatment recommendations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden-to help ensure sufficient future supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin. ⋯ In the capacity of a well-established network for antibiotic stewardship, we have enlightened the differences in Scandinavian ARTI antibiotic treatment recommendations. This paper is the first step moving forward to scrutinizing the potential for harmonizing recommendations for Denmark, Norway and Sweden-to help ensure continued supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin for use within the Scandinavian countries.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Nov 2024
Patient perspectives on multidimensional learning and person-centred care: interviews with persons living with type 2 diabetes.
The objective of this study was to explore patients' learning and support needs within contemporary diabetes care to help them deal with daily life challenges. ⋯ The findings suggest that integrating person-centred, multidimensional learning strategies into diabetes care could be beneficial, particularly when addressing both practical and emotional needs. Encouraging active patient engagement through flexible digital solutions and providing support for emotional well-being may improve the overall patient experience. However, further research and practical application are needed to fully understand how these strategies could be effectively implemented to support patients with T2DM in managing their daily health challenges.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Oct 2024
Use of point-of-care tests in pharyngotonsillitis - a registry-based study in primary health care.
Point-of-care (POC) tests, including C-reactive protein (CRP) tests and rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) for group A streptococci (GAS), are widely used in Swedish primary health care (PHC). This study quantifies their use in pharyngotonsillitis and explore their association with antibiotic prescribing. ⋯ The use of RADTs and the proportion of positive test were higher than expected, indicating inappropriate use and diagnostic bias. CRP testing, contrary to guidelines, was common and associated with increased antibiotic prescribing.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Oct 2024
Relationally competent attitudes and actions: a systematic review of general practice literature.
To explore core elements from Teachers' Relational Competence in general practice literature regarding building relationships in consultations, specifying actions doctors take to create and maintain relationship quality with patients. This systematic literature review aims to map and propose a similar framework for the doctor-patient relationship. ⋯ An explanatory framework for professional relational competence for GPs includes concrete actions and specific attitudes before and during consultations. These consist of four key attitudes and four categories of actions with several subgroups of actions. Two additional components to the framework was found.