The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Successful GP intervention with frequent attenders in primary care: randomised controlled trial.
Frequent attenders to GP clinics can place an unnecessary burden on primary care. Interventions to reduce frequent attendance have had mixed results. ⋯ The new intervention with GPs resulted in a significant and relevant reduction in frequent-attender consultations. Although further trials are needed, this intervention is recommended to GPs interested in reducing consultations by their frequent attenders.
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There is widespread concern that the quality of out-of-hours primary care for patients with complex needs may be at risk now that the new general medical services contract (GMS) has been implemented. ⋯ The demand for out-of-hours care for patients with cancer did not alter disproportionately after implementation of the contract. While potential quality indicators (for example, hospital admissions, home visiting rates) remained constant, potentially adverse changes to triage time and communication between out-of-hours and in-hours clinicians were observed. Quality standards and provider databases require further refinement to capture elements of care relevant to patients with complex needs.