Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · May 2021
Multidisciplinary Approach for Managing Complex Pain and Addiction in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study.
Primary care providers (PCPs) may feel ill-equipped to effectively and safely manage patients with chronic pain, an addiction, or both. This study evaluated a multidisciplinary approach of supporting PCPs in their management of this psychosocially complex patient population, to inform subsequent strategies clinics can use to support PCPs. ⋯ A multidisciplinary consultation service can act as a mechanism to meet the needs of PCPs caring for psychosocially complex patients with pain and addiction, including unanticipated needs. Future research should explore the most effective ways to meet PCP needs across populations and health systems.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2021
A Thoughtful Rebirth of Health Care: Lessons From the Pandemic.
In 16 years of practice, I had never seen a patient light a cigarette or pour a glass of wine in front of me. Yet, that occurred at the very onset of the COVID-19 era, a time that has shattered any preconceived notions of what I might experience during a clinical visit. ⋯ The rapid changes we have had to make in the last year have demonstrated the resiliency of our profession. This is a critical time to refocus and make sure that health care is person-centered, encompasses all modifiable health determinants, and helps individuals achieve health rather than primarily manage disease.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2021
Implementation of an Oral Care Protocol for Primary Diabetes Care: A Pilot Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.
Although diabetes care guidelines recommend paying attention to oral health, the effect on daily practice has been limited, and patients with diabetes have yet to benefit. We investigated whether implementation of an oral care protocol for general practitioners (GPs [family physicians]) can improve patient-centered outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes. ⋯ Implementation of an oral care protocol in primary diabetes care improved oral health-related QoL in patients with type 2 diabetes.