Bmc Fam Pract
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In many countries, the referral-consultation process faces a number of challenges from inefficiencies and rising demand, resulting in excessive wait times for many specialties. We collected referral data from a sample of family doctors across the province of Ontario, Canada as part of a larger program of research. The purpose of this study is to describe referral patterns from primary care to specialist and allied health services from the primary care perspective. ⋯ We described patterns of patient referral from primary care to specialist and allied health services for 30 PCPs in 20 clinics across Ontario. Gastroenterology received the largest share of referrals, nearly two-thirds of which were for colonoscopies. Future studies should explore the use of virtual care to help manage non-procedural referrals and examine the impact that procedural referrals have on wait times for gastroenterology.
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Observational Study
Prevalence of anal symptoms in general practice: a prospective study.
Anal disorders are largely underestimated in general practice. Studies have shown patients conceal anal symptoms leading to late diagnosis and treatment. Management by general practitioners is poorly described. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of anal symptoms and their management in general practice. ⋯ Patients' concealed anal symptoms are significant in general practice despite the impact on quality of life. Anal examination is seldom done. Improved training of general practitioners is required to break the taboo.
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Improved Primary Health Care (PHC) utilisation is central to reducing the unacceptable morbidity and mortality rates characterising populations living in remote communities. Despite poorer health, significant inequity characterises the funding of PHC services in Australia's most remote areas. This pilot study sought to ascertain what funding is required to ensure equitable access to sustainable, high quality primary health care irrespective of geographical remoteness of communities. ⋯ The research findings provide empirical evidence based on real costs to guide funding for remote PHC services that takes into account the safety and equity requirements for a minimum viable service. This method can be used as a transparent, coordinated approach to ensure the equitable delivery of sustainable, high quality PHC in remote communities. This will in turn contribute to improved health outcomes.
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'Doing the right thing': factors influencing GP prescribing of antidepressants and prescribed doses.
Antidepressant prescribing continues to increase, with 5-16% of adults receiving antidepressants annually. Total prescribing growth is due in part to increased long-term use, greater selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and the use of higher SSRI doses. Evidence does not support routine use of higher SSRI doses for depression treatment, and factors influencing the use of such doses are not well known. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing GPs' use of antidepressants and their doses to treat depression. ⋯ GPs strive to 'do the right thing' to help people. Antidepressants are only a single facet of depression treatment. However, increased awareness of drug limitations and regular proactive reviews may help optimise care.
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Observational Study
Factors associated with general practitioners' awareness of depression in primary care patients with heart failure: baseline-results from the observational RECODE-HF study.
Depression is more prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) than in those without, but its detection is complicated by the symptom overlap between the two diseases. General practitioners (GPs) are the first point of contact for patients with HF. Therefore, this study aims to investigate GPs' awareness of depression in their HF patients and factors associated with this awareness. ⋯ Many aspects, including the definition of awareness and the practical issues in primary care, may contribute to the unexpectedly low awareness rates of depressive symptomatology in HF patients in primary care. Awareness rates might increase, if GPs encouraged their patients to talk about emotional distress, held detailed medical interviews including a patient's history of depression and payed special attention to HF patients with low education levels. However, it remains to be investigated whether GPs' judgement of depressive symptomatology is a better or worse indicator for the future prognosis and quality of life of HF patients than psychiatry based diagnostic criteria.