Family practice
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Australia and New Zealand have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) globally. Our research team has developed a CRC risk prediction tool for use in primary care to increase targeted screening. This study, Colorectal cancer RISk Prediction tool - patient ('CRISP-P'), aimed to determine the following to inform a future trial design: (i) the feasibility of self-reporting; (ii) the feasibility of recruitment methods; and (iii) the prevalence of CRC risk. ⋯ The tool was perceived as easy to use, although older, less educated people, and patients with English as their second language needed help. The data support the recruitment methods but not the use of a self-completed tool for an efficacy trial.
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Multicenter Study
Disability and quality of life in heart failure patients: a cross-sectional study.
Although both hospitalization and mortality due to heart failure (HF) have been widely studied, less is known about the impact of HF on disability and quality of life. ⋯ HF patients in primary care show an important degree of disability and an acceptable quality of life.
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Primary health care use increases when cancer is diagnosed. This increase continues after cancer treatment. More generalist care is suggested to improve survivorship care. It is unknown to what extent cancer-related symptoms are currently presented in primary care in this survivorship phase. ⋯ Colon cancer survivors contact their GP frequently also for reasons related to cancer. Currently, a formal role for GPs in survivorship care is lacking, but nevertheless GPs provide a substantial amount of care. Working agreements between primary and secondary care are necessary to formalize the GP's role in order to improve the quality of survivorship care.
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Observational Study
Burden of disease in children with respiratory tract infections in primary care: diary-based cohort study.
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a common reason for children to consult in general practice. Antibiotics are often prescribed, in part due to miscommunication between parents and GPs. The duration of specific respiratory symptoms has been widely studied. Less is known about illness-related symptoms and the impact of these symptoms on family life, including parental production loss. Better understanding of the natural course of illness-related symptoms in RTI in children and impact on family life may improve GP-parent communication during RTI consultations. ⋯ Appreciation of, and communication about the general burden of disease on children and their parents, may improve understanding between GPs and parents consulting with their child.
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Prescribing of proton-pump inhibitors has substantially increased. Information from clinical settings is warranted to gain insight into reasons for prescribing. ⋯ Most patients treated with proton-pump inhibitors are treated daily, on a long-term basis, and due to symptoms. Few consultations led to alterations in treatment, and only 25% of patients had a consultation regarding proton-pump inhibitor treatment with their general practitioner within the last year. Substantial variability between general practitioners with regard to management was detected.