The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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GPs report various barriers to the use and practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM). A review of research on these barriers may help solve problems regarding the uptake of evidence in clinical outpatient practice. ⋯ Various barriers are encountered when using EBM in GP practice. Interventions that help GPs to overcome these barriers are needed, both within EBM education and in clinical practice.
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Orofacial clefts occur when the lips or the roof of the mouth do not fuse properly during the early weeks of pregnancy. There is strong evidence that periconceptional use of folic acid can prevent neural tube defects but its effect on oral clefts has generated debate. ⋯ These findings support the hypothesis that taking folic acid may partially prevent cleft lip and palate. They are particularly relevant for GPs, because they are usually the first port of call for women before and during early pregnancy.
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Steam inhalation therapy is often recommended in the treatment of a common cold. However, it has no proven benefit and may in fact have serious adverse side effects in terms of burn injuries. ⋯ As steam inhalation therapy has no proven benefit and the number and extent of complications of this therapy in terms of burn injury are significant, especially in children, steam inhalation therapy should be considered a dangerous procedure and not recommended anymore in professional guidelines and patient brochures.