Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2023
General practitioners' stay-at-work practices in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: using Intervention Mapping to develop a training program.
To describe current stay-at-work practices among Danish general practitioners (GPs) in relation to patients with musculoskeletal disorders, to identify potential avenues for improvement, and to suggest a training program for the GPs. ⋯ We have identified varied perspectives on the roles and responsibilities of GPs, as well as legislative and organisational barriers, and proposed a training program. Not all barriers identified can be addressed by a training course, and some questions are left unanswered, among others - who are best suited to help patients staying at work?
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2023
Chronic fatigue syndromes: real illnesses that people can recover from.
The 'Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium' consists of researchers and clinicians who question the current narrative that chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-covid conditions, are incurable diseases. Instead, we propose an alternative view, based on research, which offers more hope to patients. Whilst we regard the symptoms of these conditions as real, we propose that they are more likely to reflect the brain's response to a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than a specific disease process. ⋯ Instead, we propose that recovery is often possible if patients are helped to adopt a less threatening understanding of their symptoms and are supported in a gradual return to normal activities. Finally, we call for a much more open and constructive dialogue about these conditions. This dialogue should include a wider range of views, including those of patients who have recovered from them.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2023
Decisions regarding antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative focus group study.
Acute sinusitis is a frequent reason for primary care visits. Most patients recover within two weeks without antibiotic treatment. Despite this, about 50% of patients with acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice are still prescribed antibiotics. We do not know the reason behind this discrepancy. ⋯ GPs found it difficult to identify when patients would benefit from antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis, and different strategies were used to make prescribing decisions. For several GPs the degree of pain was one of the decisive reasons for antibiotic prescribing, however the guidelines for antibiotics do not give sufficient advice regarding pain treatment. These results suggest a need for revaluation of guideline contents and the way they are communicated to GPs.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2023
Symptoms, symptom severity, and contact with primary health care among nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients: a Norwegian web-based survey.
Dependent on clinical setting, geography and timing during the pandemic, variable symptoms of COVID-19 have been reported. Our aim was to describe self-reported symptom intensity and contact with primary health care among nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients. ⋯ The mean severity of symptoms among nonhospitalized adult COVID-19 patients was generally low. We found large variations in the occurrence and severity of symptoms between patients.
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Dec 2023
'In the end, I'm the one who has to do the job': Participant experience of a lifestyle intervention for patients with hypertension.
Cardiovascular disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes, but such changes are often hard to attain. Text message interventions with lifestyle advice have shown small but promising effects. Our objective was to explore participant experience of a text message lifestyle intervention for patients with hypertension, and implications for future lifestyle interventions. ⋯ A key to adoption was advice that was applicable in daily life. Timing in relation to a diagnosis of hypertension or other motivational factors, and tailoring to prior knowledge, habits, and limitations could increase effectiveness.