The European journal of general practice
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Acute upper respiratory infections are the most common reason for primary physician visits in the community. This study investigated whether the type of antibiotic used to treat streptococcal tonsillitis can reduce the burden by affecting the number of additional visits. ⋯ Penicillin-V treatment is associated with fewer additional primary physician visits compared to other antibiotic treatments. Amoxicillin and penicillin-V are associated with fewer complications. These findings are limited by the retrospective nature of the study and lack of adjustment for illness severity. Further prospective studies may be warranted to validate results.
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Physicians with a serious illness face difficult decisions about revealing this sensitive information to patients. Self-disclosure of illness is a largely unexplored topic, particularly from the patient's perspective. ⋯ Physician self-disclosure of major illnesses to patients can reveal the physician's humanity, encourage empathy on the part of patients and strengthen the physician-patient relationship. This report adds to current knowledge about when to share this powerful information with patients and highlights the topic's importance in the education of future doctors.
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Research has shown improved health outcomes when patients are involved in managing their health conditions and when their individual needs are considered. ⋯ A good GP-patient relationship was considered an important aspect to providing and facilitating for involvement of patients with COPD or TD2. Scoping review registration: https://osf.io/ynqt2.
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Many medical family history (FH) tools are available for various settings. Although FH tools can be a powerful health screening tool in primary care (PC), they are currently underused. ⋯ Despite the potential of FH tools to improve risk stratification of patients in PC, clinical performance of current tools remains limited as well as their integration in EMR systems. Twenty-one FH tools are designed to be self-administered by patients.
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and its ensuing complications. In the last years, there has been a revolution of the treatment for patients with HCV regarding efficacy, simplicity, safety and duration of treatment. The role of the family physician is vital in all steps of care: screening, diagnosis, linkage to treatment, treatment and follow-up. ⋯ Patients without advanced fibrosis and comorbidities can be treated by the educated family physician. However, patients with comorbidities, cirrhosis or coinfection (HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)) should be referred to the liver clinic. In case of screening patients with risk factors or likelihood of dormant HCV, health organisations should provide the appropriate resources, logistics, finances and workforce.