The European journal of general practice
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Factors associated with the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in primary care have been poorly explored. In particular, the impact of computerised decision-support systems (CDSS) remains unknown. ⋯ Individual appropriateness for antibiotic prescribing was high among CDSS users, with a higher rate in young general practitioners, previously using the system. CDSS could improve antibiotic prescribing in primary care.
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Implementing asthma guideline recommendations is challenging and there is variation between countries, and different healthcare professionals (HCPs). The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) has introduced the Asthma Right Care (ARC) programme implemented in 24 low, middle, and high countries, including Greece. It offers a promising approach drawn from social movements for health to improve asthma care by engaging HCPs in implementing guideline-based asthma care. ⋯ HCPs in Greece encounter challenges in implementing asthma guidelines; however, they can overcome these challenges by using ARC interventions and engagement tools to address barriers and implement efficient asthma management strategies.
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Germany is challenged by an increasing shortage in general practice services, especially in non-urban areas. Task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to other health professionals may improve practice efficiency to address this mismatch. ⋯ This study describes GPs' motives and beliefs towards task shifting in non-urban Germany. Identifying younger GPs and those participating in the GP-centred care programme as particularly endorsing may help design future interventions aiming to improve efficiency in general practice in non-urban Germany.
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake in many countries has been low and further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. General Practitioners (GPs) are key facilitators, however research on their impact on organised CRC screening is still limited. ⋯ Persons cared for by GPs who received a tailored talk with a cancer screening specialist avoided a drop in CRC screening adherence, which characterised all other Italian screening programmes during the COVID-19 emergency. If future randomised trials confirm the impact of tailored talks, they may be incorporated into existing strategies to improve population CRC screening uptake.
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Anecdotal reports suggest that missed diagnosis in general practice during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a drop in life-threatening events (LTEs) detected in hospitals. ⋯ Despite a surge in calls from adults with shortness of breath and/or chest discomfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, the accuracy of telephone triage for LTEs in OHS-PC remained similar to the pre-pandemic era. Improvement of telephone triage seems necessary in both periods.