Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialImpediments to and impact of checklists on performance of emergency interventions in primary care: an in situ simulation-based randomized controlled trial.
Medical crises occur rather seldom in the primary care setting, but when they do, initial management impacts on morbidity and mortality. Factors that impede the performance of emergency interventions in primary care have not been studied through in-situ simulation. Checklists reportedly improve crisis management. ⋯ Unfamiliarity with local emergency equipment impedes the performance of emergency interventions during crises simulated in the primary care setting. Simply providing checklist access does not improve the performance of emergency interventions.KEY POINTSLittle is known about the factors that affect the performance of emergency interventions in the primary care setting.Unfamiliarity with local emergency equipment impedes the performance of emergency interventions during crises simulated in the primary care setting.Simply providing crisis checklist access does not improve the performance of emergency interventions in the primary care setting.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialDoes C-reactive protein predict time to recovery and benefit from oseltamivir treatment in primary care patients with influenza-like illness? A randomized controlled trial secondary analysis.
Recovery time and treatment effect of oseltamivir in influenza-like illness (ILI) differs between patient groups. A point-of-care test to better predict ILI duration and identify patients who are most likely to benefit from oseltamivir treatment would aid prescribing decisions in primary care. This study aimed to investigate whether a C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration of ≥30 mg/L can predict (1) ILI disease duration, and (2) which patients are most likely to benefit from oseltamivir treatment. ⋯ There was no association between CRP concentration of ≥30 mg/L and recovery time from ILI. Furthermore, CRP could not predict which ILI patients benefit more from oseltamivir treatment. Hence, we do not recommend CRP testing for predicting ILI recovery time or identifying patients who will receive particular benefit from oseltamivir treatment.Key PointsPredicting disease course of influenza-like illness (ILI), and identifying which patients benefit from oseltamivir treatment is a challenge for physicians.• There was no association between CRP concentration at baseline and recovery time in patients consulting with ILI in primary care.• There was no association between CRP concentration at baseline and benefit from oseltamivir treatment.• We, therefore, do not recommend CRP testing for predicting recovery time or in decision-making concerning oseltamivir prescribing in ILI patients.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2021
Association between recorded medication reviews in primary care and adequate drug treatment management - a cross-sectional study.
To investigate the association between a recorded procedure code for a medication review and adequate drug treatment management, and to explore factors associated with this code. ⋯ The presence of a recorded medication review was not positively associated with adequate drug treatment management but was associated with the age limit for remuneration, and some chronic diseases.Key pointsTo improve drug treatment in older people in primary care, a remuneration system linked to recorded medication reviews has been introduced.In this study, fewer patients with than without a recorded medication review (63% versus 73%) had adequate drug treatment management.A recorded medication review was ten times more common in those ≥75 years, that is, the age limit for remuneration.Recorded codes for medication reviews were also common in those with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and depression.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2021
Socioeconomic status affects achievement of blood pressure target in hypertension: contemporary results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.
To assess the relation between socioeconomic status and achievement of target blood pressure in hypertension. ⋯ In this real-world population of primary care patients with hypertension in Sweden, being born in a foreign European country and having a lower income were factors associated with poorer blood pressure control.KEY POINTSThe association between socioeconomic status and achieving blood pressure targets in hypertension has been ambiguous.•In this study of 48,254 patients with hypertension, lower income was associated with a reduced likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•Being born in a foreign European country is associated with a lower likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•We found no association between educational level and achieved blood pressure control.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2021
Prescribing antibiotics: the use of diagnostic tests in general practice. A register-based study.
To assess (i) the pattern of antibiotic prescribing in Danish general practice, (ii) the use of diagnostic tests [point-of-care (POC) and tests analysed at the hospital laboratory (laboratory tests)], and (iii) the frequency of diagnostic testing in relation to antibiotic prescriptions. ⋯ This study provides an overview of the use of diagnostic tests in relation to antibiotics and creates basis for further research into the variability between types of antibiotics. The study indicates that there is room for improvement to use diagnostic tests as an aid to promote prudent antibiotic use.KEY POINTSDiagnostic tests (point-of-care or tests analysed at the hospital laboratory), can increase diagnostic certainty and lead to a reduction in antibiotic use in general practice.A decrease in antibiotic courses in general practice in Denmark was observed during 2013-2017, while the use of diagnostic tests increased.A diagnostic test was performed in relation to 43% of antibiotic courses.Only 52% of prescribed fluoroquinolones was related to a diagnostic test, conflicting with national guidelines.