Aust Fam Physician
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The internet has become an integral part of our everyday lives, affecting the way we work and communicate. It has also changed the way patients obtain health information. This study measures the extent to which general practice patients use the internet to obtain health information, particularly in relation to the problem(s) they bring to the general practitioner (GP), and whether this differs by patient age, sex, socioeconomic status, rurality and English-speaking background status (ESB). ⋯ Of 2944 patients, 63.4% accessed the internet in the previous month; 28.1% had sought health information online; and 17.1% had obtained information related to problems managed by the GP at that visit. Internet use and online health information seeking was inversely related to age for patients aged 15 years or older. The most socioeconomically advantaged patients were significantly more likely than the most disadvantaged to have obtained health information online. Patient sex, ESB status and rurality did not influence internet use or online health information seeking.
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Optimal diabetes management involves frequent monitoring and achievement of outcome targets. A primary care diabetes clinic that provides a 'one-stop shop' may facilitate more regular review and improve patient care. ⋯ A comprehensive diabetes clinic may improve management in the ACCHS setting. The clinic promotes regular checks and higher vaccination rates, although insufficient evidence exists to show that this translates to better clinical outcomes. This model may be transferrable to other primary care settings.
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Vaccine hesitancy is becoming increasingly recognised as an issue in Australia and globally, as concerns about vaccines and their safety predominate over concerns about the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. ⋯ Clear and flexible communication strategies for healthcare providers to undertake effective discussions with vaccine-hesitant parents or clear referral pathways are the key to addressing concerns about vaccination in both primary and secondary care.
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Pregabalin is a treatment option for patients with persistent neuropathic pain. Its use has been associated with changes in mood and the development of depression and/or suicidal ideation. ⋯ Although these patients had a history of depression, their mood had been stable before commencing pregabalin. Soon after commencement they reported changes in mood, and development of depression and/or suicidal ideation, which improved with dose reduction or cessation of pregabalin. Ultimately, all five patients ceased pregabalin treatment. Suicidal ideation is a recognised adverse effect of pregabalin. Patients should be warned of and monitored for deterioration in mood.