The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Most cancer diagnostic pathways start from primary care and several factors affect the diagnostic processes. ⋯ A longer symptom duration and presenting without cancer-specific symptoms were associated with GPs assessing the diagnostic process as poor.
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Observational Study
Uptake and adoption of the NHS App in England: an observational study.
Technological advances have led to the use of patient portals that give people digital access to their personal health information. The NHS App was launched in January 2019 as a 'front door' to digitally enabled health services. ⋯ The uptake of the NHS App substantially increased post-lockdown, most significantly after the NHS COVID Pass feature was introduced. An unequal pattern of app registration was identified, and the use of different functions varied. Further research is needed to understand these patterns of inequalities and their impact on patient experience.
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Spirometry services to diagnose and monitor lung disease in primary care were identified as a priority in the NHS Long Term Plan, and are restarting post-COVID-19 pandemic in England; however, evidence regarding best practice is limited. ⋯ Stakeholders highlighted historic challenges and the damaging effects of the pandemic contributing to inequity in provision of spirometry, which must be addressed. Overall, stakeholders were positive about the potential of AI to support clinicians in quality assessment and interpretation of spirometry. However, it was evident that validation of the software must be sufficiently robust for clinicians and healthcare commissioners to have trust in the process.
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GPs provide care for women across the lifespan. This care currently includes preconception and postpartum phases of a woman's life. Interconception care (ICC) addresses women's health issues between pregnancies that then have impact on maternal and infant outcomes, such as lifestyle and biomedical risks, interpregnancy intervals, and contraception provision. However, ICC in general practice is not well established. ⋯ Findings indicate that ICC is not a familiar concept for GPs, who feel that they have limited capacity to deliver such care. Further research to evaluate patient perspectives and potential models of care is required before ICC improvements can be developed, trialled, and evaluated. These models could include the colocation of multidisciplinary services and services in combination with well-child visits.