Developing a communication toolbox for primary care practitioners to raise the issue of weight with parents of preschool children: a qualitative study

Background: Risk of harm from drinking is heightened in later life, due to age-related sensitivities to alcohol. Primary care services have a key role in supporting older people to make healthier decisions about alcohol. Aim: To examine primary care practitioners’ perceptions of factors that promote and challenge their work to support older people in alcohol risk-reduction. Design and Setting: Qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with primary care practitioners in Northern England. Method: Thirty-five practitioners (general practitioners, practice/district nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social care practitioners, domiciliary carers) participated in eight interviews and five focus groups. Data were analysed thematically, applying principles of constant comparison. Results: Practitioners highlighted particular sensitivities amongst older people to discussing alcohol, and reservations about older people’s resistance to making changes in old age; given drinking practices could be established, and promote socialisation and emotional wellbeing in later life. Age-related health issues increased older people’s contact with practitioners; but management of older people’s long-term conditions was prioritised over discussion of alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol in routine consultations with older people, and training in alcohol intervention facilitated practitioners; particularly pharmacists and practice nurses. Conclusion: There are clear opportunities to support older people in primary care to make healthier decisions about alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol, training in identification of alcohol-related risks, particularly those associated with old age; and tailored interventions for older people, feasible to implement in practice settings, would support primary care practitioners to address older people’s alcohol use.

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Attitudes towards domestic violence in Lebanon: a qualitative study of primary care practitioners

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp14x680077 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 64 (623) ◽

pp. e313-e320 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jinan Usta ◽

Gene Feder ◽

Jumana Antoun

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Primary Care Practitioners

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Patient and practitioner views on cancer risk discussions in primary care: a qualitative study

BJGP Open ◽

10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0108 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. BJGPO.2021.0108

Author(s):

David N Blane ◽

Sara MacDonald ◽

Catherine A O'Donnell

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

General Practice ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Lifestyle Modification ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

It Use ◽

Practice Nurses ◽

Primary Care Practitioners ◽

The Uk

BackgroundIt is estimated that nearly 600,000 cancer cases in the UK could have been avoided in the last five years if people had healthier lifestyles, with the principle modifiable risk factors being smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption and inactivity. There is growing interest in the use of cancer risk information in general practice to encourage lifestyle modification.AimTo explore the views and experiences of patients and practitioners in relation to cancer prevention and cancer risk discussions in general practice.Design & settingQualitative study among patient and practitioners in general practices in Glasgow, UK.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with nine practitioners (5 GPs and four practice nurses, recruited purposively from practices based on list size and deprivation status) and 13 patients (aged 30–60, with two or more specified co-morbidities).ResultsCurrently, cancer risk discussions focus on smoking and cancer, with links between alcohol/obesity and cancer rarely made. There was support for the use of the personalised cancer risk tool as an additional resource in primary care. Practitioners felt practice nurses were best placed to use it. Use in planned appointments (eg, chronic disease reviews) was preferred over opportunistic use. Concerns were expressed, however, about generating anxiety, time constraints, and widening inequalities.ConclusionsHealth behaviour change is complex and the provision of information alone is unlikely to have significant effects. Personalised risk tools may have a role, but important concerns about their use – particularly in areas of socio-economic disadvantage – remain.

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Caring for children dying from cancer at home: a qualitative study of the experience of primary care practitioners

Family Practice ◽

10.1093/fampra/cmr007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 545-553 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

S. J. Neilson ◽

J. Kai ◽

C. MacArthur ◽

S. M. Greenfield

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Primary Care Practitioners ◽

At Home

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Primary Care Practitioners’ Barriers to and Experience of COVID-19 Epidemic Control in China: a Qualitative Study

Journal of General Internal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s11606-020-06107-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (11) ◽

pp. 3278-3284

Author(s):

Zhijie Xu ◽

Yuanqu Ye ◽

Yang Wang ◽

Yi Qian ◽

Jianjiang Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Community Health Centers ◽

Comparative Method ◽

Health Centers ◽

Primary Care System ◽

Epidemic Control ◽

Primary Care Practitioners ◽

Care System

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in December 2019 and posed numerous challenges to China’s health system. Almost 4 million primary care practitioners (PCPs) participated in controlling the outbreak. However, PCPs’ barriers to and experience of the epidemic control remain unknown and are essential for improving countermeasures. Objective To better understand the barriers PCPs faced in COVID-19 epidemic control and their psychological and occupational impacts, and explore potential solutions. Design This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured, in-depth interviews from February 12, to March 10, 2020. Participants A purposive sample of frontline PCPs affiliated with either community health centers or township health centers in four provinces of China were recruited. Approach Interviews were conducted by telephone, and then recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed. Themes surrounding PCPs’ barriers to COVID-19 epidemic control, their experience, and potential solutions were iteratively identified using the constant comparative method. Key Results Of the 21 PCPs interviewed, 10 (48%) were women and 5 (24%) worked in rural areas. Barriers to epidemic control in primary care included inappropriate PCP scheduling and role ambiguity, difficult tasks and inadequate capacities, and inexperienced community workers and insufficient cooperation. Some PCPs perceived respect and a sense of accomplishment and were preoccupied with the outbreak, while others were frustrated by fatigue and psychological distress. PCPs reported potential solutions for improving countermeasures, such as improving management, optimizing workflows, providing additional support, facilitating cooperation, and strengthening the primary care system. Conclusions Due to their roles in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, PCPs in China faced a series of barriers that affected them physically and mentally. Support for PCPs should help them to overcome these barriers and work efficiently. The current findings provide insight into the challenges and potential solutions for strengthening the preparedness and response of China’s primary care system in future disease outbreaks.

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