The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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In the summer of 2021, after 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still no clear evidence-based interventions for COVID-19 infection in the community. Recruiting large numbers at pace was a challenge to urgently generate the evidence needed to inform care within the pandemic. ⋯ Large-scale, at-pace recruitment supported by the English CRN and equivalent networks across the UK, is achievable in a pandemic situation, producing potentially game-changing results of national and international importance.
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GPs have been shown to be important providers of medical care during pregnancy, however, little evidence exists on their awareness of pregnancy when prescribing medication to women. ⋯ Results of this study indicate a potential issue with GP awareness about pregnancy status at the time medication with potential safety risks is prescribed. Although pregnancy registration by GPs improved over the years, inadequate use still seems to be made of the available information systems for appropriate drug surveillance.
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Children with pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes can be identified through testing for circulating islet autoantibodies. Identifying children at risk reduces the rates of diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation and allows participation in clinical trials for type 1 diabetes prevention. ⋯ Social media has been an effective route to recruitment. Community outreach to schools and general practices will be implemented as this study evolves, to explore optimal recruitment modalities and acceptability.
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Social prescribing link workers are being employed in primary care through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. ⋯ Dominance of a medical model approach to service delivery may not be conducive to uncovering and supporting people with their non-medical problems, or to promoting a wider understanding of health. Tensions between fitting into a setting dominated by medical discourse and practices, compared to feeling they belong, is something that link workers can encounter when providing social prescribing services in primary care.
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The unadjusted gender pay gap in general practice is reported to be 33.5%. This reflects partly the differential rate at which women become partners, but evidence exploring gender differences in GPs' career progression is sparse. ⋯ There are some long-standing gendered barriers that continue to affect the career decisions of women GPs. The relative attractiveness of salaried, locum, or private roles in general practice appears to discourage both men and women from partnerships presently. Promoting positive workplace cultures through strong role models, improved flexibility in roles, and skills training could potentially encourage greater uptake.