Australian journal of primary health
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Obesity is a condition of excess body fat that has been identified as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death globally and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various cancers. Obesity worldwide has tripled in the adult population over the past 40 years, with 13% of the world's adult population now obese, leading to calls for control of a global obesity epidemic. ⋯ The pathophysiology of why obesity occurs has not changed within recent history, but the way that people live their lives and the cultural understandings that evolve within communities have. This article describes the interaction between obesity and the social environment, explores the meaning of obesity within the context of health and considers the social determinants of obesity within the community. It also discusses the influences of the professional-patient exchange in obesity, the comprehension of obesity as a disease and the challenges of addressing obesity within the healthcare system.
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Funding for telehealth should continue post-COVID-19 and should include provision for tele-physiotherapy. There are several instances where tele-physiotherapy may be an appropriate form of primary care, including the early management of acute pain, which may otherwise become chronic. By extending the availability of tele-physiotherapy beyond 30 September 2020, we can improve the health of the population generally and, in particular, better serve remote or otherwise isolated people.
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This exploratory study examined general practitioners' (GPs) perspectives on delivering end-of-life care in the New Zealand residential aged care context. A general inductive approach to the data collected from semi-structured interviews with 17 GPs from 15 different New Zealand general practices was taken. Findings examine: (1) GPs' life experience; (2) the GP relationship with the facilities and provision of end-of-life care; (3) the GP interaction with families of dying residents; and (4) GP relationship with hospice. ⋯ GP participation in end-of-life care was constrained by GP time availability and the costs to the facilities for that time. GPs reported seldom using hospice services for residents, but did use the reputation (cachet) associated with hospice practices to provide an authoritative buffer for their end-of-life clinical decisions when talking with families and residents. GP training in end-of-life care, especially for those with dementia, was reported as ad hoc and done through informal mentoring between GPs.
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Nurses are increasingly needed in primary healthcare settings to support community-based healthcare delivery. Programs to facilitate transition of new graduate nurses are well established in acute care; however, there are few similar programs reported in settings like general practice. This paper sought to explore the experiences of new graduate registered nurses and their registered nurse mentors in a new graduate program within Australian general practice. ⋯ Program Challenges draws attention to the difficulties experienced by participants, and Future Career Intentions explores future career plans. This study highlights that a general practice new graduate nurse program has the potential to build the workforce. However, strengthening undergraduate preparation of nurses around primary health care and addressing funding issues in general practice, are important to promote the success of such programs.
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This inquiry examines health-seeking practices and challenges among South Sudanese people from refugee backgrounds with chronic hepatitis B in Australia. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted. Using interpretative thematic analysis, the results revealed four themes, consisting of barriers and facilitators to clinical follow up, treatment and support-seeking practices and coping responses. ⋯ Treatment-seeking practices involved both biomedical and alternative therapies. Participants mainly drew on their social networks and supports, religious beliefs and individual resilience as coping strategies. The findings are important for improving access to treatment and care and support for people with chronic hepatitis B from the South Sudanese community.