The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Cervical screening has transformed the diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, uptake within the national screening programme is not uniform across demographics. This raises the question of whether medical language, which conveys essential information but also shapes attitudes towards engaging with healthcare, is part of the problem. The term "smear test" has been used for generations and is embedded in colloquial and medical vocabulary. However, there is a danger that the phrase may conjure images of an unpleasant or even reckless ordeal, potentially contributing to unnecessary patient anxiety. ⋯ It is imperative to consult target groups and use inclusive language that minimises stigmatising or negative connotations. Modifying language alone is unlikely to remedy the current access barriers in UK cervical screening. Instead, a multifaceted approach that also targets education and addresses systemic issues could offer a more sustainable strategy. Ultimately, prioritising a patient-centred approach could improve access to life-saving screening.
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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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A majority of sex-workers (SWers) do not have a GP aware of their professional activity, which prevents appropriate support to this group. One of the reasons is fear of the doctors' judgment. ⋯ This study demonstrates that primary care doctors' knowledge of SW is limited, and that these limitations can lead to stigmatisation and suboptimal treatment. The following recommendations are to: draw up a list of doctors who can welcome SWers without being judgmental and make this list available to associations active in the field of SW; co-construct a training course, in partnership with SWers, aimed at GPs (it would include sections on the historical and legal context, the approach to harm reduction and substance abuse, PreP, PEP, and a communication guide); and teach courses on marginalised populations with specific health needs during the initial training of medical students.
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Suicide is a major public health issue and is the leading cause of death of men under the age of 50 in the UK. Patients are more likely to visit their GP in the month leading up to a suicide attempt, thus highlighting the key role GPs play in suicide prevention. ⋯ The challenges experienced by GPs when managing suicidal behaviour are well documented. More work is needed to explore what approaches GPs find effective in managing suicidal behaviour, especially in younger patients.
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Total triage (TT) has the potential to achieve more equitable access to primary care, to improve the overall quality of care, and enhance health outcomes. TT has gained increasing attention from the public, policymakers, and academics. ⋯ TT can influence patient access, safety, and equity. The approach may also generate profoundly different working styles for general practice. This review adds to current debates surrounding patient access and TT, and consequences for staff/patients. The findings can be used to aid practices when navigating the new GP contract and the implementation of new TT approaches.