The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The COVID-19 pandemic compelled clinicians to change access to primary health care as face-to-face consultations were a risk to patients and staff. Video consultations (VCs) were frequently substituted as a proxy for a clinical examination. ⋯ While video use overall was low, patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds had less access to VCs with their GPs in the initial lockdown, which may have had negative impacts on health. The pandemic was an unprecedented event, and primary care rapidly pivoted to online care. However, to mitigate health inequalities, primary care must implement methods to cater for all patients and minimise the risk of digital health exclusion.
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Diagnosing cancer early is crucial in improving patient outcomes. Primary care networks are encouraged to audit routes to cancer diagnosis, as suggested by the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service Early Cancer Diagnosis Guidance. ⋯ It is promising that the majority of cancers are diagnosed through 2WW and screening; however, improving patient engagement, streamlining referrals, and thorough clinical examination and documentation will reduce delayed or missed diagnoses.
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Arts-On-Prescription (AOP) programmes are growing in popularity in European primary care. To meet social distancing rules of the COVID-19 pandemic, AOP workshops were moved onto online video conferencing platformism. It is unknown whether the format (in-person versus online) affects how patients perceive these programmes and their overall success. ⋯ Participants valued the workshops as a space for peer support and patient empowerment. These findings must be viewed in the context of social isolation arising from lockdown. Online delivery offers potential for widening access to arts interventions. Further research should explore the opinions of vulnerable groups.
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WHO Global health strategies for HIV, hepatitis and STI recommend decentralising routine hepatitis testing and care to primary care. China accounts for one-third of the world's hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and its national primary care system, capable of providing comprehensive care on chronic hepatitis B (CHB), is potentially the answer. ⋯ Shared-care CHB models with primary care are highly effective and cost-effective in China.
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Increasing the GP workforce will not automatically level up healthcare provision; instead, increasing GP training numbers could worsen health inequity and inequalities. This is especially of concern if there are fewer opportunities to learn, train, and build confidence in under-served, socioeconomically deprived areas. ⋯ Postgraduate training practices had a statistically significant lower deprivation score and did not fully reflect the socioeconomic make-up of wider NI general practice. The results, however, are more favourable than the representation in other areas of the UK and better than undergraduate teaching opportunities in general practice. As GP recruitment is increased, representation of general practice in areas of high need and high socioeconomic deprivation is essential, otherwise it risks widening health inequalities.