Aust Fam Physician
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Prevention of diabetes and heart disease -- patient perceptions on risk, risk assessment and the role of their GP in preventive care.
There are gaps between current clinical guideline recommendations and current practice for the prevention of diabetes and heart disease. This study aims to explore patients' views on risk, assessment and their general practitioner's role, and how these factors may impact their uptake of preventive care. ⋯ Patient engagement in prevention could be promoted by multi-factorial risk assessments and communication of risk, and appropriate advice and follow up delivered by their GP or practice nurse.
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Even after a thorough examination it can be difficult to distinguish a normal penile anatomical variant from pathology needing treatment. ⋯ The problems considered include pearly penile papules, penile sebaceous glands (Fordyce spots), Tyson glands, angiokeratomas of the scrotum, lymphocoele, penile warts, molluscum contagiosum, folliculitis and scabies.
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General practices are required to have flexible systems to accommodate urgent appointments. Not all patients requesting a same day appointment receive one. There is scant research detailing how requests for same day appointments are managed. Our study examined this issue from the perspective of practice staff. ⋯ Practice policies must make clear roles and responsibilities for all staff managing patient appointments. Aspects of clinic policies and practices could be reviewed to reduce medicolegal risk and additional workload caused by non-medically urgent needs.
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Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians. This article reports the findings of two studies in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area (T&NPA) of Queensland in Australia. The aim of the first study was to assess CHB care delivery, the second assessed CHB patient knowledge about the condition. ⋯ Chronic hepatitis B affects a substantial number of Indigenous adults in the T&NPA. There is limited adherence to clinical guidelines. Improved uptake of clinical guidelines adapted for remote areas, incorporation of CHB into systematic chronic disease care, and culturally appropriate patient education resources and programs are needed.
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Chronic pain is a common presentation to general practice. ⋯ The mind, emotions and attention play an important role in the experience of pain. In patients with chronic pain, stress, fear and depression can amplify the perception of pain. Mind-body approaches act to change a person's mental or emotional state or utilise physical movement to train attention or produce mental relaxation. They are occasionally used as a sole treatment, but more commonly as adjuncts to other therapies. Mind-body approaches include progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, laughter, mindfulness based approaches, hypnosis, guided imagery, yoga, biofeedback and cognitive behavioural therapy. Studies have shown that mind-body approaches can be effective in various conditions associated with chronic pain, however levels of evidence vary. Group delivered courses with healthcare professional input may have more beneficial effects than individual therapy. General practitioners are well placed to recommend or learn and provide a range of mind-body approaches to improve outcomes for patients with chronic pain.