Aust Fam Physician
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General practitioners are often the 'first port of call' for patients with a range of mental health problems, many of whom have a history of trauma or loss. Exposure to emotionally difficult situations puts them at risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Balint groups are groups of GPs, usually facilitated by a psychiatrist, who discuss the doctor-patient relationship and provide peer support. Participation in Balint groups, along with other professional and personal activities, has the potential to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout in participants.
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The BEACH program, a continuous national study of general practice activity in Australia, gives us an analysis of the management of cardiovascular conditions in general practice. This provides a backdrop against which articles in this issue of Australian Family Physician can be further considered.
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To describe the utility and acceptability to general practitioners and palliative care staff of case conferences in palliative care. ⋯ Case conferences provide useful information exchange between GPs and specialist staff, and are acceptable to both parties. Much depends on the individual GPs attitude toward participation, as well as the timing of the conferences in the course of the patient's illness. Organisation needs to be a task of the specialist units, who would need administrative support to organise them.
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Eczema is a common, and at times challenging, condition to manage. It often involves an irritable child, concerned parents and numerous return visits. A variety of mainstream and alternative treatments can confuse both the clinician and patient. ⋯ Managing eczema is a multifocal task involving a variety of medicinal and practical approaches. Education of parents and carers is critical. Having a clear plan that can be adapted to each patient's needs is helpful for all involved, with management focussing on control rather than cure. Simple emollients and preventive measures are used to reduce heat, dryness and prickling of the skin. Topical corticosteroids remain the gold standard in the treatment of the inflammation of eczema. However, combining topical steroids with the new calcineurin inhibitors, wet dressings and behavioural modification should increase the time interval between exacerbations.