Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2015
Swedish emergency medical services' identification of potential candidates for primary healthcare: Retrospective patient record study.
To investigate patients who called the emergency medical services (EMS) for primary healthcare (PHC) problems. ⋯ In the EMS, guidelines are needed to enable pre-hospital emergency nurses to assess and triage patients to the most appropriate level of healthcare. Key points Patients calling the emergency medical services do not always end up at an appropriate level of healthcare. In total, 16% of patients were identified by the Swedish emergency medical services as potential candidates for primary healthcare. These patients were younger and healthier than those needing care at the emergency department. They were found at all priority levels and within all symptom groups.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2015
What do patients bring up in consultations? An observational study in general practice.
The main aim of the study was to investigate how many and what kind of problems patients present in consultations with their general practitioner (GP). A secondary aim was to explore patients' views on what is important in consultations. ⋯ GPs deal with multiple and unrelated problems in daily consultations, which is highly valued by patients. Management of concurrent problems in brief encounters demands training and adequate working conditions, in order to sustain this core value of general practice.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2015
Observational StudyRisk factors for excessive benzodiazepine use in a working age population: a nationwide 5-year survey in Norway.
To identify risk factors for becoming an excessive user over time. ⋯ The prevalence of excessive use over a five-year observation period was 2.34%. Risk factors were indications of psychiatric illness, first benzodiazepine choice, low income, and education. Excessive users were also characterized by a more severe disease, indicated by having prescription fulfilments by a psychiatrist and by switching benzodiazepines. Key points Guidelines state that benzodiazepines should be used for a short time and excessive use indicates drug dependency. Of all new benzodiazepine users 2.34% became excessive users, defined as consuming above two defined daily doses (DDDs) per day on average over three months, within a five-year period. Previous use of other psychotropic drugs, opioids and anti-alcohol and smoke cessation drugs, first benzodiazepine prescribed, low household income, and low education were risk factors for excessive use. Excessive users were characterized by switching benzodiazepines and having prescription fulfilments by a psychiatrist suggesting a more severe disease.