Family practice
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There is a need to better understand the mechanisms which lead to poor outcomes in patients with multimorbidity, especially those factors that might be amenable to intervention. ⋯ This research shows that different factors, particularly around patients' experiences of health care and control over their treatment, impact on various types of self-management. Patient experience of multimorbidity was not a critical predictor of self-management but did predict health status in the short term. The findings can help to develop and target interventions that might improve outcomes in patients with multimorbidity.
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Review Meta Analysis
Increased risk for atypical fractures associated with bisphosphonate use.
Studies suggest an increasing occurrence of atypical femoral fractures with the use of bisphosphonates. ⋯ Results suggest there is an increased risk for atypical fractures associated with bisphosphonates and raises awareness to the potential complications related with bisphosphonates. These findings warrant the comprehensive evaluation of patients before initiating bisphosphonate therapy and highlights the need for additional medical decision analyses in future studies to compare the benefit over potential harms of bisphosphonate therapy.
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In Asia, the role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in mental health delivery is not clearly defined and what happens to patients following a depressive episode remains poorly understood. ⋯ Over 1 year, ~60% of depressed patients experience symptom resolution, while 40% continue to suffer a chronic or remitting course of illness. Identification of depression by a PCP does not appear to affect remission of mood symptoms at 12 months, but is associated with a faster rate of recovery of HRQOL. PCP detection raises GP consultation rates temporarily however appears to enable more patients to access mental health services over 12 months.
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Viral agents cause the majority of sore throats. However, there is not currently a score to diagnose viral sore throat. The aims of this study were (i) to find the rate of bacterial and viral causes, (ii) to show the seasonal variations and (iii) to form a new scoring system to diagnose viral sore throat. ⋯ The Mistik Score may be useful to diagnose viral sore throat. We suggest its use either alone or in combination with the Modified Centor Score.
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Meta-analyses indicate 50% of cases of depression are not detected by GPs. It is important to examine patient and GP characteristics associated with misclassification so that systems can be improved to increase accurate detection and optimal management for groups at risk of depression. ⋯ Fifty GPs from 12 practices participated. GPs completed surveys for 1880 patients. Younger patients aged 25-44, and those with a health care card were less likely to have a false-negative assessment. Patients with 0-3 GP visits in the past 12 months, and those with private health insurance were less likely to have a false-positive assessment. GPs who worked five sessions or fewer per week were more likely to make false-positive assessments.