The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The cancer burden falls predominantly on older (≥65 years) adults. Prompt presentation to primary care with cancer symptoms could result in earlier diagnosis. However, patient symptom appraisal and help-seeking decisions involving cancer symptoms are complex and may be further complicated in older adults. ⋯ This review suggests that increasing age is associated with delayed cancer symptom appraisal. When symptoms are recognised as potentially serious, increasing age was associated with prompt help-seeking although other factors could prolong this. Policymakers, charities, and GPs should aim to ensure older adults are able to recognise potential symptoms of cancer and seek help promptly.
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Excess prescription and use of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers is associated with poor asthma control and increased risk of hospital admission. ⋯ In this multi-ethnic population a fifth of practices demonstrate an overprescribing rate of <20% a year. Based on previous data, supporting practices to enable the SABA ≥12 group to reduce to 4-12 a year could potentially save up to 70% of asthma admissions a year within that group.
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Rates of blood testing in primary care are rising. Communicating blood test results generates significant workload for patients, GPs, and practice staff. ⋯ Current systems of test result communication are complex and confusing, and mostly based on habits and routines rather than clear protocols. This has important implications for patient-centred care and patient safety.
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Recognising patients who need immediate hospital treatment for sepsis while simultaneously limiting unnecessary referrals is challenging for GPs. ⋯ Based on this study's GP out-of-hours population, a simple model can accurately predict sepsis in acutely ill adult patients using readily available clinical parameters.