Clinical
Development of a national genetics resource for general practitioners in AustraliaKristine Barlow-Stewart, Dominic Ross The Centre for
Genetics Education, NSW Genetics Service, Sydney, NSW The authors formed the Genetics Education in Medicine (GEM) Consortium to develop and pilot for the Commonwealth Government through Biotechnology Australia, 'Genetics in Family Medicine: The Australian Resource for General Practitioners'. Guidance is provided by the National Advisory Group on Genetics Education for General Practitioners. |
Guidelines for imaging common musculoskeletal injuriesDr Norm Broadhurst Department of Orthopaedics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia Minor injuries to joints such as sprains to ankles and knees are common presentations in general practice along with cervical pain secondary to rear-end motor vehicle accidents. The dilemma for the GP is whether, after examination, imaging is likely to provide any further information that will assist the management. Over the past 10–15 years evidence based guidelines have been published as to when imaging is indicated in such presentations. Collectively these are known as the 'Ottowa Rules' and are recognised in emergency room departments. A review of these rules will provide the GP with insight and confidence in reassuring the patient as well as being more cost effective in managing these conditions. |
Which symptomatic patients merit urgent referral? A review of referrals and survey of UK general practitionersMoyez Jiwa University of Western Australia To survey the route of referral, diagnosis and contents of referral letters to colorectal surgeons over a 6 month period to one region of the United Kingdom. |
Responding to pandemic influenza in general practice: results of rapid research exploring a more defined role for general practiceChristine Phillips, Marjan Kljakovic, Sally
Hall Academic Unit of General Practice and Community Health,
Medical School, ANU, Canberra During an influenza pandemic, general practice will play a critical role in health service delivery and in pandemic control efforts. The Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza is, however, sketchy about the role of general practice, and the impact of a pandemic on the sector. |
Chronic disease self management strategies: what do our patients find helpful in terms of managing their conditions?Amanda Weeks, Hal Swerissen La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria Research into the effectiveness of self management interventions consistently demonstrates improvements in health status and self efficacy whilst reducing health care costs. Many of these interventions are heavily influenced by social learning theory and incorporate the use of persuasion, modelling and mastery learning to teach participants specific skills and behaviours to manage their chronic disease. To date little research has investigated the extent to which specific program components are associated with variations in participant outcomes. |
The assessment of kidney function by general practitioners in Australian patients with type 2 diabetes (NEFRON-2)Merlin Thomas, Mark Cooper Baker Medical
Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria To examine the factors that influence the identification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Australian primary care setting in patients with type 2 diabetes. |
Incidence of chlamydia infection among asymptomatic women presented for routine Papanicolaou smear: experience in Warrnambool, VictoriaDr David TW Chiang, Dr Elaine IL Tan, Dr Alan Baldam Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland, and Wimmera Clinic, Warrnambool, Victoria Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to devastating sequelae. Unfortunately, this condition is often asymptomatic in women until serious complication developed. This prospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence of this infection among asymptomatic women presenting for routine Pap smear. |
Delayed antibiotics for symptoms and complications of respiratory infectionsGeoff Spurling Providing patients with a prescription for antibiotics but suggesting delaying their use is a strategy that reduces antibiotic use. This review asks what effect this practice has on the clinical course of the illness. |
The aetiology and medication management of heart failure in general practiceGraeme Miller, Helena Britt, Joan Henderson, Ying Pan Australian General Practice Statistics and Classification Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW To investigate prevalence, severity and underlying causes of heart failure in patients attending general practice; their medication, and hospitalisation. |
'Who can do CPR?' A team approach to CPR in general practiceJenny May, Branka Barac University of Newcastle, UDRH Tamworth, NSW This paper describes an innovative team training approach to providing and assessing teamwork management of medical emergencies and cardio pulmonary resuscitation education in general practice. Numerous studies have highlighted the value of bystander CPR. We aimed to facilitate and assist GP practices to develop a team medical emergency plan within their work environment. |
Do n-of-1 trials of celecoxib compared to sustained release paracetamol change patient use of drugs for osteoarthritis?Michael Yelland Griffith University To assess the use of n-of-1 trials for short term choice of drugs for osteoarthritis, with particular reference to comparing the efficacy of sustained release (SR) paracetamol and celecoxib in individual patients. |
Incidence and predictors of surgical site infection following minor surgery in general practice settingClare Heal, Petra Buettner, Beverly Raasch
James Cook University, To determine the incidence of and risk factors for surgical site infections in a general practice setting. |
Educating doctors about lactation and breastfeedingWendy Brodribb, Anthony Fallon Centre for
Rural and Remote Area Health, Toowoomba, Queensland To investigate what information about lactation and breastfeeding is included in Australian medical program curricula and how this information relates to the skills needed in general practice. |
Resting injured limbs delays recovery: results of a systematic reviewCharlotte Nash, Sharon Mickan, Chris Del Mar, Paul Glasziou Rest is commonly used as primary treatment, rather than just palliation, for injured limbs. We searched the literature for evidence of benefit or harm from immobilisation or mobilisation of acute limb injury in adults. |
Can sutures get wet? A prospective randomised controlled trial of wound management in general practiceClare Heal James Cook University, Mackay,
Queensland To compare standard management of keeping wounds dry and covered with allowing wounds to be uncovered and wet in the first 48 hours following minor skin excision. |
Secondary prevention in acute coronary syndromes: understanding patients who continue to smoke after an acute coronary eventPetya Fitzpatrick, Emily Hansen, Mark Nelson Discipline of General Practice, University of Tasmania This project explores the beliefs of patients who continue to smoke after an acute coronary event. It also seeks to understand how continued smoking is incorporated into their daily lives and illness biography. |
An investigation into the effectiveness of brief education for the reduction of risk of heart and circulatory conditionsDr Edmund Olszewski All GPs within a catchment area of Perth were invited to participate in the study to recruit at least five patients each to the intervention program. A target group of patients with IGT and with certain inclusion criteria are referred to the intervention program by their general practitioner. GPs are required to measure clinical parameters at the time of recruitment and 6 months later. Two groups of patients will be recruited as a control group and a study group. Patients in the study group will also receive two education sessions as well as the standard information. |
A guide to the past, present and future of mandatory supplementation of commonly consumed food stuffsMax Kamien Emeritus Professor, Discipline of General Practice, UWA To examine the patterns of objection to fortification of foods in Australia since 1970. |
The role of CKD in the prescription of anti-diabetic agents by Australian general practitionersAndrew Weekes Baker Medical Research
Institute, Melbourne, Victoria To describe the pattern of use of antidiabetic agents in a population-based sample of patients with type 2 diabetes in the Australian primary care setting. As a secondary outcome measure, the influence of impaired kidney function, and its identification by GPs, on patterns of prescribing was also examined, with particular focus on usage of metformin and different sulphonylurea agents. |