Family practice
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Individual symptoms and signs of infectious mononucleosis (IM) are of limited value for diagnosis. ⋯ We derived and internally validated the IM-NoLab and IM-Lab risk scores. The IM-Lab score in particular had very good discrimination and have the potential to reduce the need for diagnostic testing for IM.
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Pharmacists are being increasingly employed as part of general practice teams globally, and their input has been associated with several clinical and economic benefits. However, there is a paucity of research focussing on general practitioners' (GPs') perceptions of pharmacist integration into practices in countries where this novel role for pharmacists is yet to become commonplace. ⋯ This study's theory-informed insight provides a deeper understanding of GPs' perceptions of pharmacists working in general practice and behaviours which can be targeted to help optimize integration. These findings should be utilized in future service development to preempt and address GPs' concerns ahead of pharmacist integration, as well as to inform the development of general practice-based pharmacist roles going forward.
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Continuity of care (CoC) is an important component of health care delivery that can have cost implications and improve patient outcomes. We analysed data obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine the relationship between CoC and use of image-oriented diagnostic tests in patients with comorbid chronic conditions. ⋯ Overall, greater CoC was associated with fewer use of tests, representing a greater presumed efficiency of care. This has implications for designing health care delivery.
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Expanding telehealth in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic supported patients with needed sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) for continuity of care and reproductive autonomy. While telehealth for SRH is feasible and acceptable, studies have not explored patient preferences towards telehealth SRH from primary care settings. ⋯ Participants find telehealth SRH in primary care preferable, underscoring the importance of offering and expanding this care. As telehealth SRH expands, providers should strengthen quality by building rapport to facilitate conversations on "serious" topics and their ability to help patients remotely.
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Multimorbidity is prevalent in general practice and general practitioners internationally report challenges in its management. Understanding the perspectives of general practitioners at the frontline of care is important for system sustainability and accessibility as populations age. ⋯ Australian general practitioners share many multimorbidity concerns with international colleagues. While multimorbidity-specific evidence may be unrealistic to expect in the immediate term, system investment and adaptation is needed to support general practice sustainability and clinician ability to provide adequate multimorbidity care, suitably remunerated, into the future.