Clinical medicine (London, England)
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It is widely recognised that developmentally appropriate services for adolescents and young people improve both healthcare experience and health outcomes. However, there is limited evidence of using young people's expertise to evaluate services, or of young people participating in service developments or design to meet their healthcare needs. This report covers both the process and outcomes of a collaborative project with a group of young people (aged 17-25 years) who are 'experts by experience'. ⋯ Informing young people about other assessment measures currently in use (including the Department of Health's You're Welcome quality criteria) enabled the group to further develop their views and refine their proposed assessment framework. This paper is co-authored with young people, enabling them to directly voice their views about healthcare services. Reflections on this process and recommendations for working more collaboratively with young people to evaluate healthcare services are also given.
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High rates of psychological distress, depression and suicide have been reported among doctors. Furthermore, many doctors do not access healthcare by conventional means. This study aimed to increase understanding regarding non-consultant hospital doctors' (NCHDs') response to stress and barriers to accessing supports, and identify possible solutions. ⋯ Possible practical solutions were explored. NCHDS are a vulnerable population and have a particularly challenging lifestyle. Key recommendations include improved GP and counselling access for NCHDs, and addressing the culture of self-treatment and poor health behaviours through undergraduate and postgraduate education.
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A conference organised in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society at the Royal College of Physicians (London) assembled an expert panel to present recent advances in the understanding and management of hypertension - the leading reversible risk factor for global morbidity and mortality. Despite recognised therapeutic approaches, less than half of patients on treatment for hypertension achieve blood pressure control to international guideline-based targets. ⋯ Targeting degradation of natriuretic peptides by LCZ696 (a combination of valsartan and a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor) has demonstrated potential as a novel therapeutic option, with mortality benefits in heart failure beyond that solely attributable to its blood pressure lowering ability. However, critical to any therapeutic strategy is patient involvement, and it is clear that the delivery of patient-centric treatment options is vital to ensure adherence with medication and to facilitate healthier lifestyle decisions.