The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The underrepresentation of ethnic minorities and low-income groups in primary care (PC) research hinders the development of effective treatments for diverse populations. ⋯ This study provides insights into poor recruitment of specific ethnic minorities into primary care studies. The authors identified adaptations to research engagement activities, which are required to ensure that participation is improved.
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Comparative Study
A retrospective, comparative analysis of A&E attendance paserns in Irish Traveller versus non-Traveller general practice patients.
Very little is known about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller health, or access to and utilisation of health care. They are not coded in NHS data systems and there are multiple barriers including illiteracy, digital exclusion, and discrimination. ⋯ This work throws light on health service utilisation patterns by Irish Travellers. A&E attendances may have been more suited to a non-emergency setting and there may have been missed opportunities for contact with primary care or NHS 111, which may have an impact on continuity, onward referral, and quality of care.
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NICE guidance states new patients aged 15-59 registering at a primary care centre in a high-risk area for HIV, should be offered testing. First, this allows for prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy, improving the individual's morbidity and mortality while reducing community transmission. Second, increasing the breadth of the population offered tests would help normalise testing, reducing stigma and increasing uptake. AIM: To retrospectively audit adherence to HIV testing guidance in new patients registering at a GP in Walsall, where HIV risk is categorised as high, and to make recommendations based on the results. ⋯ The guidance for screening for HIV in this primary care centre is therefore not followed due to a lack of awareness of the guideline and HIV risk in the area. We recommend that this audit is conducted across more primary care centres in HIV high-risk areas to assess if this outcome is representative of general adherence to guidance.
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Giving students more responsibility for real patients during medical school may help prepare them for their transition to clinical practice. Student-led clinics (SLCs) may facilitate this. Within SLCs, students take the lead role in delivering patient care while being supported and supervised by qualified clinicians. A general practice SLC was established in Dundee, with four final-year medical students and one GP involved in each clinic. ⋯ The findings suggest that giving students responsibility for real patients is beneficial and feasible when adequate support is provided, and that it is possible for one GP to supervise multiple students successfully.
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Remote consulting was rolled out across general practice in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most consultations are carried out safely, in some cases remote care has contributed to adverse outcomes. ⋯ Attention to staff, patient, and setting factors can allow risk to be identified and addressed when providing care remotely. .