Aust Fam Physician
-
Prescription drug abuse is a rising problem in Australia and pharmaceutical drugs have been the most frequent contributors to overdose deaths in Victoria in recent years. ⋯ Data from the Coroners Court of Victoria list the main drugs that contributed to drug-related deaths in 2009-15. Analysis of the data reveals that pharmaceutical drugs contributed to 80% of overdose deaths; benzodiazepines and opioids were the main drug groups involved. Strategies for reducing and managing prescription drug abuse in primary care settings are outlined in this article, including references to published evidence-based clinical guidelines from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The safety profile of buprenorphine/ naloxone over methadone is noted and raised as a consideration for clinicians when assessing a patient for opioid replacement therapy.
-
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are underused in Australia despite being one of the most effective, reversible methods of contraception. ⋯ Training enabled GPs to insert IUDs in their practices, but more than two-thirds (68%) fitted fewer than 12 devices during follow-up. A number of barriers to IUD insertion in general practice can be addressed to improve community access.
-
Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in healthcare settings is essential for the delivery of culturally appropriate care. Under-identification is common and practitioner confidence is a known barrier. ⋯ More than a quarter of registrars reported low confidence for this basic consultation skill. Our findings will inform general prac-tice vocational training and continuing professional development, and reinforce the importance of a comprehensive, system-wide approach to the identification of patients' Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status.