Family practice
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Ethnic minority patients seem to be confronted with barriers when using health services. Yet, care providers are often oblivious to these barriers, although they may share to some extent the burden of responsibility for them. In order to enlighten care providers, as to the potential pitfalls that may exist, there is a need to explore the different factors in the creation of the barriers. ⋯ This review has the goal of raising awareness about the myriad of potential barriers, so that the problem of barriers to health care for different ethnic minorities becomes transparent. In conclusion, there are many different potential barriers of which some are tied to ethnic minorities. The barriers are all tied to the particular situation of the individual patient and subject to constant adjustment. In other words, generalizations should not be made.
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Figures on GP-diagnosed respiratory tract infections (RTI) are outdated because of demographic changes and increase in co-morbid conditions, respiratory vaccination programmes and change in illness behaviour. ⋯ A small proportion of the patient population present themselves to the GP with a RTI. RTI are more common among children, elderly persons and patients with pulmonary and cardiac disease, and diabetes of the ICPC coding system.
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Depression is the commonest mental health problem in elderly people and continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. ⋯ This study highlights the complicated nature of the diagnosis and management of late-life depression. Protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of depression emphasis the biomedical model which does not fit with the everyday experience of GPs or elderly patients who share the views of primary care professionals that depression is a consequence of social and contextual issues. There is a need for the development of evidence-based provision for older people with depression within primary care, but also a need for elderly patients to be made aware of the legitimacy of presenting low mood and misery to their primary care professional.