The Medical journal of Australia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Predictors of accuracy of diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice.
To compare the clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with results of post-bronchodilator spirometry in general practice, and examine practitioner, practice and patient characteristics associated with agreement between clinical and spirometric diagnoses. ⋯ A substantial proportion of patients clinically identified as having COPD in general practice do not have the condition according to spirometric criteria, with inaccurate diagnosis more common in patients with comorbidities. Policy and practice change is needed to support the use of spirometry in primary care.
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To compare the findings of the 1997 and 2007 Australian national surveys of mental health and wellbeing (NSMHWBs) with respect to the role of general practitioners in providing mental health services. ⋯ Despite a significant rise in the use of mental health services, the role of GPs in providing such services has not increased.
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To describe how Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) chronic disease (CD) item claims vary by sociodemographic and health characteristics in people with heart disease, asthma or diabetes. ⋯ Many individuals with self-reported CD do not claim CD items. People with diabetes and individuals with greatest need based on health, socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors are the most likely to claim CD items.