Aust Fam Physician
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This is the third in a series of articles exploring issues involved in doctors treating other doctors. The first article looked at barriers to good medical care when the patient is a doctor. ⋯ This article will focus on strategies that can be used by the treating doctor during the consultation to facilitate best possible communication. While these strategies could be applied in any consultation, an explanation of why they are particularly important when the patient is a doctor will be offered.
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This study trialled the outcome for asthma patients of a brief, nurse led, patient education session with general practice review of an Asthma Action Plan. ⋯ Structured general practice based education appears to be an effective preventive health care program, with the potential to reduce expensive unscheduled use of health services.
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Best practice principles would suggest that the patient doctor contact the treating doctor before seeing them for the first time to ask if they would be willing to take them on as a patient.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition characterised by breathlessness, cough and sputum production. However these are nonspecific, common symptoms which may be misattributed; resulting in a possible underdiagnosis of COPD. ⋯ An initial important step is to consider and confirm the diagnosis of COPD. Management of COPD focuses on optimising function, preventing deterioration, developing support networks and self management, and managing exacerbations.
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Australia continues to explore methods to restructure primary health care services to meet stressors within the health system. The primary health care strategy and its support for larger general practices and multidisciplinary team contributions, raise opportunities for re-engineering general practice services.