The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Computer templates for review of single long-term conditions are commonly used to record care processes, but they may inhibit communication and prevent patients from discussing their wider concerns. ⋯ Including patient-centred questions in long-term condition review templates appears to improve patients' perceptions about the patient-centredness of reviews, despite template demands on a clinician's attention. Adding an initial question in standardised reviews about the patient's main concerns should be considered.
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The receptionist is pivotal to the smooth running of general practice in the UK, communicating with patients and booking appointments. ⋯ A shared understanding within practices of the potential difficulties and extra work that might ensue for reception staff was lacking. This might contribute to the low uptake by patients of potentially important innovations in service delivery. Involvement of the wider practice team in planning and piloting changes, supporting team members through service reconfiguration, and providing an opportunity to discuss and contribute to modifications of any new system would ensure that reception staff are suitably prepared to support the introduction of a new approach to consultations.
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There is little evidence documenting the attitudes, experiences, and behavioural factors of high-risk patients who are associated with avoiding hospital. ⋯ Reinforcing the importance of the physical enablers, as well as support networks to patients, carers, and healthcare providers, could help patients to avoid hospital. Highlighting the coping strategies that patients use may help patients to manage their health, while promoting continuity of care will also contribute to helping high-risk patients to avoid unplanned hospital admissions.