The European journal of general practice
-
Increasing numbers of primary care physicians (PCPs) are reducing their working hours. This decline may affect the workforce and the care provided to patients. ⋯ There is evidence of both negative and positive effects of PCPs working part-time on quality of patient care. Approaches that mitigate negative effects of part-time work while maintaining positive effects should be implemented.
-
'Gut feelings' are frequently used by general practitioners in the clinical decision-making process, especially in situations of uncertainty. The Gut Feelings Questionnaire (GFQ) has been developed in the Netherlands and is now available in English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and Catalan, enabling cross-border studies on the subject. However, a Turkish version of the GFQ is lacking. ⋯ With these validated GFQs, Turkish GPs can facilitate studies of the role of 'gut feelings' in clinical reasoning.
-
Observational Study
Clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: An observational study of respiratory tract infection in primary care in the early phase of the pandemic.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, GPs had to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from other aetiologies in patients presenting with respiratory tract infection (RTI) symptoms on clinical grounds and adapt management accordingly. ⋯ Correct clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, without POC-testing available, appeared to be complicated.
-
Securing primary care is an important issue for health policy. Given a threatened shortage of GPs in Germany, there are discussions about what actions to take to guarantee primary care. ⋯ The study has shown that GPs, from their perspective and experience, make specific suggestions to ensure primary care in the long term. Consequently, it is advisable to consider their points of view when planning, implementing and adjusting steps to strengthen primary care.