Journal of primary health care
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Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) indicate high risk for stroke and rapid management reduces stroke burden. Rapid specialist access to initiate timely management is often challenging to achieve. ⋯ Results indicate that wider implementation of the TIA/Stroke EDS tool is feasible.
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A large number of people live with chronic, non-malignant pain, which impacts on their work, social activity and quality of life. For many people pain appears to be inadequately treated and controlled, in part due to a reluctance to take appropriate medication. The aim of this study was to learn more about people's experience of pain in the context of long-term illness, in order to inform primary health care practice. ⋯ Pain limited how participants lived, yet many were reluctant to take pain relief as prescribed, if at all. They found other ways of coping, and accepted their pain. Messages for practitioners include the importance of asking people about their pain, listening and acknowledging the reality of pain and its effect on daily life and providing education, reassurance and support for taking pain medication.
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Access to antidotes for the treatment of drug poisonings can impact on morbidity and mortality. Treatment for drug poisonings usually occurs at the nearest emergency department; however, health professionals working in primary care are often the first point of contact for patients. As New Zealand has a small, diffuse population, and poisonings are a rare event, it can be difficult to anticipate what antidotes are required. ⋯ New Zealand hospital pharmacies stock adequate quantities of most antidotes, including antidotes that are expensive and rarely required, but which may be needed urgently. Hospital pharmacies also have clear procurement procedures for obtaining other antidotes in an emergency.