Aust Fam Physician
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Pulmonary embolism is a common condition and can be the source of significant morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Various clinical decision rules and algorithms are available to assist in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, and the Wells score and Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria rule are presented in this article. The utility of D-dimer testing and the role of imaging to confirm the diagnosis are also discussed. Treatment options once pulmonary embolism is confirmed are presented.
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General practitioners (GPs) are often the first health professional consulted in regard to eating disorders and their varied presentations. Given the prognostic significance of early detection of, and intervention for, such conditions, it is important that GPs feel confident to do so. ⋯ Eating disorders are complex, potentially life-threatening illnesses with significant medical and psychosocial consequences. Early detection and intervention can significantly contribute to better outcomes, and GPs are ideally placed to effect this.
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The objective of this article is to investigate patients' attitudes to the use of chaperones for intimate physical examinations (IPEs) in a sample of Australian general practices. ⋯ Individualised discussion regarding chaperone use for IPEs is warranted, especially with patients seeing their usual GP.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia. Electronic medical record (EMR)-based clinical decision support (CDS) tools have the potential to support absolute CVD risk (ACVDR) evaluation and management. The objective of this study was to test the acceptability and feasibility of the Treat to Target CVD (T3CVD), an EMR-based CDS tool, for the evaluation of ACVDR in general practice. ⋯ With further development, the T3CVD tool has the potential to improve ACVDR assessment and management in primary care.
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The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) is globally accepted as a strategy that is successful in decreasing rates of unintended pregnancy, especially in very young women. Currently, Australia has very low uptake rates of LARC. ⋯ Low uptake of LARCs may be related to Australia's prevailing cultural norm of oral contraception, and practitioner and patient misperceptions of the safety and efficacy of LARC, which have been dispelled in recent years. LARCs are widely recommended by professional bodies and the World Health Organization (WHO) as first-line contraception for young women as they are safe, effective and reversible. Young women should be offered the choice of a LARC as part of a fully informed decision for their first form of contraception.