The European journal of general practice
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Research has shown improved health outcomes when patients are involved in managing their health conditions and when their individual needs are considered. ⋯ A good GP-patient relationship was considered an important aspect to providing and facilitating for involvement of patients with COPD or TD2. Scoping review registration: https://osf.io/ynqt2.
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and its ensuing complications. In the last years, there has been a revolution of the treatment for patients with HCV regarding efficacy, simplicity, safety and duration of treatment. The role of the family physician is vital in all steps of care: screening, diagnosis, linkage to treatment, treatment and follow-up. ⋯ Patients without advanced fibrosis and comorbidities can be treated by the educated family physician. However, patients with comorbidities, cirrhosis or coinfection (HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)) should be referred to the liver clinic. In case of screening patients with risk factors or likelihood of dormant HCV, health organisations should provide the appropriate resources, logistics, finances and workforce.
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The European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN) has recently published an updated research strategy with the overall aim being to promote relevant research of the highest quality within general practice/family medicine (GP/FM). The Research Strategy indicates a global direction and serves as a basis for more detailed plans in individual countries that will take into account the characteristics of a country, its specific needs and the level of current research capacity. This paper aims to provide a summary of the EGPRN Research Strategy. ⋯ Knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) is an important component to ensure a process of exchange between researchers and knowledge users. Working to improve leadership, to support the creation of a research culture in GP/FM and to increase national and international networking are considered as fundamental to ensuring a portfolio of high-quality research and for improving the impact of GP/FM research. The recommendations in the Research Strategy are based on a review of the literature on general practice research from 2010 to 2019 and are set in the context of a theoretical framework.
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Relatives of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors may suffer from various symptoms after ICU admittance of their relative, known as post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F). Studies regarding PICS-F have been performed but its impact in primary care is unknown. ⋯ Relatives of ICU survivors present more morbidity in primary care than relatives of chronically ill patients up to five years after ICU discharge.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent lung disease. It is assumed that severe patients will receive better treatment in specialised care centres but the prevalence of severe COPD in primary care is high. Integrated primary care services combine input from several sources and advice from pulmonologists to provide general practitioners with support needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with COPD. ⋯ An integrated service for COPD based in primary care may improve the health status of patients with a large burden of disease while not increasing health care costs.