Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2022
Throat infections and use of streptococcal antigen test and antibiotic treatment in general practice; a web-based survey.
The aim of this study was to investigate the use of streptococcal antigen tests and antibiotic prescription in general practice in Norway in relation to the national guidelines for sore throat. ⋯ In this survey of self-selected GPs, we identified some non-adherence to National guidelines for streptococcal antigen testing and antibiotic prescribing. However, when antibiotic treatment was offered, the correct antibiotics were prescribed.Key pointsNorwegian guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of throat infections include the use of Centor criteria as a clinical tool to limit the unnecessary use of antibiotics. In this web-based survey, we investigated the use of streptococcal antigen tests and antibiotic prescription in general practice in relation to the national guidelines.•Streptococcal antigen tests were not always performed according to Norwegian guidelines, causing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.•National guidelines were followed in the choice of antibiotics for sore throat.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2022
Confidentiality matters! Adolescent males' views of primary care in relation to psychosocial health: a structural equation modelling approach.
To investigate to what degree adolescent males (1) value confidentiality, (2) experience confidentiality and are comfortable asking sensitive questions when visiting a general practitioner (GP), and (3) whether self-reported symptoms of poor mental health and health-compromising behaviours (HCB) affect these states of matters. ⋯ Confidentiality matters regardless of poor mental health or HCBs and makes adolescent males more comfortable asking sensitive questions. We suggest that GPs consistently offer private time and explain professional secrecy.Key PointsConfidentiality for adolescent males has been scantily studied in relation to mental health and health-compromising behaviours.In this study, most adolescent males valued confidentiality, regardless of their mental health and health-compromising behaviours.Health-compromising behaviours impacted only slightly, and mental health not at all, on experiences of confidentiality in primary care.When provided private time and an explanation of professional secrecy, adolescent males were more comfortable asking the GP sensitive questions.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2022
Use of faecal immunochemical tests common in patients with suspected colorectal cancer but unrelated to travel distance to secondary care: a population-based study from Swedish primary care.
Evidence is increasing for the use of faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) for occult blood as diagnostic tools when colorectal cancer can be suspected. FITs have been used for this purpose in Swedish primary care since around 2005 despite absence of supporting guidelines. To our knowledge, the extent of this use has not been studied. ⋯ FITs were used extensively in Swedish primary care with a higher use in older age groups. There was no tendency towards a higher use of FITs at primary care centres with longer driving times to secondary care.Key PointsEvidence is increasing for the use of faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) as diagnostic tools when colorectal cancer can be suspected. We investigated the use of FITs in Sweden.FITs were used extensively in primary care especially in older age groups.There were small differences in the use of FITs between five studied health care regions.There was no tendency towards a higher use of FITs at primary care centres with longer driving times to diagnostic facilities in secondary care.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2022
'Do you have a future when you are 93?' Frail older person's perceptions about the future and end of life - a qualitative interview study in primary care.
To explore frail older persons' perceptions of the future and the end of life. ⋯ This study highlights the diverse ways older people perceive future and the end of life. The results make it possible to further understand the complex phenomenon of frail older persons' perceptions on the future and the end of life.KEY POINTSThe study found that older persons described their future as contradictory- with a broad spectrum of approaches, where some wanted to deal with these subjects and others wanted to ignore them.•Older persons that consciously planned for the future had tactics that often were related to goals that functioned as motivators to live longer.•Those who adopted a more passive approach did not think about what the future might hold in terms of losing autonomy and deteriorating health.•Older persons that approached end of life in a more proactive way wanted to plan practical arrangements around death but often found it hard to address this issue with relatives.•Those older persons that had a more passive approach to end of life preferred not to think about those issues, and some explicitly stated that they did not want to address the final period of life.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2022
Promoting health literacy and sense of coherence in primary care patients with long-term impaired work ability-a pilot study.
Evaluate feasibility, partnerships, and study design of intervention to minimise sick leave. ⋯ An educational programme, conducted in cooperation between primary health care and partners outside the healthcare system, was feasible and showed an impact on sick leave, health literacy, sense of coherence, and health-related quality of life.KEY FINDINGSA pilot study to evaluate an educational programme with study groups conducted in cooperation between primary health care and partners outside the healthcare system showed good feasibility.Sick leave decreased significantly six months after baseline.Health literacy, sense of coherence (subscale sense of meaningfulness), and health-related quality of life (subscale social function) improved significantly 6 months after baseline.