The European journal of general practice
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Comparative Study
Out-of-hours co-operatives: general practitioner satisfaction with governance and working arrangements.
General practice co-operatives have led to significant improvements in quality of life for general practitioners. Little is known about general practitioners' own experiences with the working arrangements and governance of co-operatives. This study investigates GP satisfaction, the working environment, governance and future developments in co-operatives. ⋯ While GP co-operatives are a success story for general practice, they will work better for general practitioners and their patients if nursing, mental health, dentistry, pharmacy and social services are improved. Support and training is needed in mental health, palliative and emergency care to increase competence and reduce stress. GPs are willing to work with health authorities in further co-operative development. More attention needs to be paid to the complaints and suggestions of GPs in the running and governance of their co-operatives.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Assessing chronic pain in general practice: are guidelines relevant? A cluster randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the impact of using pain assessment scales on the management of musculoskeletal chronic pain. ⋯ In general practice, the use of pain assessment scales is not associated with greater pain relief. The lesser level of pain relief obtained in the scale group does provide evidence that using pain assessment scales does not enhance the relief of chronic pain in patients in primary care. Guidelines which recommend the systematic use of scales for the assessment and monitoring of chronic pain are not tailored to either the context or the patients encountered in the primary care setting.
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To monitor the future career preferences of medical students throughout their undergraduate years and into their postgraduate career, and to evaluate which factors may influence career choice intentions, and when this happens, over time. ⋯ As medical undergraduates progressed through the curriculum and became PRHOs, general practice became more popular as a career choice, particularly with females. This may be partly explained by the increased exposure to general practitioners and patients in the new community-based teaching programme and the increasing awareness of lifestyle advantages with the particular benefits of more regular hours and working part time.
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To assess the level of care given to people with diabetes by general practitioners and factors affecting it. ⋯ Diabetes Mellitus is treated to a good standard in Irish general practice, especially type 2 disease. This standard appears to be independent of the patient's socio-economic status, is improved by GPs being computerised, in group practices and by providing care according to a protocol. Shared care also improves control. Employing a practice nurse may also improve care.
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Letter Multicenter Study
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Swedish primary care.