The European journal of general practice
-
Cervical screening could be an appropriate routine moment to provide female smokers with tailored stop smoking advice. In Dutch general practice, cervical smears are performed by practice assistants. ⋯ At individual, interpersonal, and workplace levels, several factors could influence the provision of a stop smoking strategy by a practice assistant.
-
In Europe, hospital training is integrated in the postgraduate curriculum of General Practitioners (GPs) according to the European Directives. However, little is known about the specific learning objectives of GP trainees during this training. ⋯ GP trainees wanted to learn more about both common conditions and some specific conditions. Their previous year in a GP setting strengthened their confidence and facilitated purposeful learning. Relieving GP trainees from administrative tasks when working as supplementary doctors could strike a better balance between the continuity of the clinical department and their personal learning objectives.
-
A doctor may recommend that a patient stop an antibiotic course before its scheduled completion time if further treatment may cause more harm than benefit. ⋯ The GPs in this study employ the strategy of AD. Nonetheless, essential differences lie in their views of the way the strategy is used. Further studies are warranted to explore the beliefs behind these perceptions and promote wider use of AD by GPs.
-
Screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) can reduce incidence and mortality. First-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with CRC or advanced adenoma before the age of 65 (index patients) are at increased risk of CRC; however, the guidelines for screening of FDRs by colonoscopy are poorly followed. ⋯ Challenges include circumventing gaps in knowledge, adherence to guidelines and improving family history updates. The GPs interviewed suggested personalised guidelines in specialists' reports to initiate information campaigns raising awareness of familial risk, and to enhance coordination between organised screening and familial screening.
-
Little literature exists on emergencies within primary care offices. ⋯ In Germany, emergencies in primary care offices occur on average once a month and more often in rural than urban areas. While most PCPs are confident in managing medical emergencies, some differences related to the training path became apparent. Ongoing training programmes may be tailored to improve emergency skills.