The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The UK Health Security Agency have established a partnership with the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Clinical Informatics Digital Hub (ORCHID) to provide a new source of primary care data to enhance an existing GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system. ⋯ For decades the RCGP has run sentinel surveillance with integrated virology and now RCGP data are being used for syndromic surveillance. The addition of ORCHID data to the GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system has improved the utility of the system. There is better population coverage, additional syndromic indicators, and greater ability to interrogate the data. The new system will provide enhanced information to support public health in England and highlights the value of GP records for use in protecting the health security of the nation.
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Lyme Disease (LD) is a multisystem zoonosis with uncertain epidemiology. It may be increasing in rural hotspots. GP datasets are weakened by coding and definitions. Public and climate concerns have raised awareness of LD. ⋯ Early data suggests that the Lyme Disease General Practice Sentinel Scheme has improved case ascertainment, epidemiology, and risk factor understanding.
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WHO Global health strategies for HIV, hepatitis and STI recommend decentralising routine hepatitis testing and care to primary care. China accounts for one-third of the world's hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and its national primary care system, capable of providing comprehensive care on chronic hepatitis B (CHB), is potentially the answer. ⋯ Shared-care CHB models with primary care are highly effective and cost-effective in China.
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Urinary incontinence (UI) impacts patients and society in many ways. There are good treatment options, but healthcare delivery and processes are often suboptimal. ⋯ Poor UI identification in primary care and a lack of patient guidance through the healthcare system hamper continence care provision.
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Sleep disturbance (SD) is common among people living with dementia (PLwD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It has a significant impact on the wellbeing of PLwD and caregivers, and makes care at home more difficult. Within primary care, assessment and management of SD for this population is complex and challenging. ⋯ Increasing awareness, knowledge, and confidence in diagnosis and assessment of SD is needed. Primary care-specific assessment tools may help. Long-term medication use is the default option in absence of pragmatic and effective non-pharmacological interventions that can be easily incorporated into routine general practice.