scholarly journals Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older Adults with Hypertension or Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in a Primary Care Setting in Bahrain

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid A.J. Al Khaja ◽  
Husain Ahmed Isa ◽  
Sindhan Veeramuthu ◽  
Reginald P. Sequeira
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
The Difference

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate: (1) the prevalence and types of potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults with hypertension or diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and (2) whether or not differences in the training of primary care physicians were associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing. Materials and Methods: Primary care prescriptions issued by family physicians and general practitioners were audited using Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions criteria (version 1), with 18 out of 65 applicable criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to test the difference between proportions, and two-tailed t test was used for continuous variables. Results: A total of 2,090 outpatient prescriptions were written during the study period; of these, 712 (34.1%) were potentially inappropriate. The mean number of drugs per patient was 6.03 (±2.5). Of the 712 prescriptions, 543 (76.3%) were used for the treatment of acute medical illnesses. The most common examples of potentially inappropriate prescribing were: orphenadrine (n = 174; 8.33%), long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for > 3 months (n = 150; 7.18%), proton pump inhibitors for > 8 weeks (n = 135; 6.46%), antihypertensive therapy duplication (n = 59; 2.82%), long-acting glyburide (n = 48; 2.29%), and chlordiazepoxide for > 1 month (n = 44; 2.11%). Family physicians showed a greater tendency toward potentially inappropriate prescribing compared to general practitioners, but the difference was nonsignificant (n = 514 [34.75%] vs. n = 162 [31.3%]; p = 0.16). Conclusions: The prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (i.e., 34.1%) was within the spectrum reported worldwide and unrelated to the training backgrounds of physicians. Most of the identified potentially inappropriate prescribing (76.3%) in older adults was associated with medications for acute medical illnesses and hence inappropriate polypharmacy should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Central and Eastern Europe: Self-Reported Practice of Primary Care Physicians / Zdravljenje Bolezni Prebavil V Srednji In Vzhodni Evropi: Podatki, Ki Jih Zdravniki V Primarni Zdravstveni Oskrbi Sami Sporočajo

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-303
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Palka ◽  
Anna Krztoń-Królewiecka ◽  
Tomasz Tomasik ◽  
Bohumil Seifert ◽  
Ewa Wójtowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Digestive Disorders ◽  
Eastern European Countries

Abstract Background. Gastrointestinal disorders account for 7-10% of all consultations in primary care. General practitioners’ management of digestive disorders in Central and Eastern European countries is largely unknown. Aims. To identify and compare variations in the self-perceived responsibilities of general practitioners in the management of digestive disorders in Central and Eastern Europe. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of a randomized sample of primary care physicians from 9 countries was conducted. An anonymous questionnaire was sent via post to primary care doctors. Results. We received 867 responses; the response rate was 28.9%. Over 70% of respondents reported familiarity with available guidelines for gastrointestinal diseases. For uninvestigated dyspepsia in patients under 45 years, the “test and treat” strategy was twice as popular as “test and scope”. The majority (59.8%) of family physicians would refer patients with rectal bleeding without alarm symptoms to a specialist (from 7.6% of doctors in Slovenia to 85.1% of doctors in Bulgaria; p<0.001). 93.4% of respondents declared their involvement in colorectal cancer screening. In the majority of countries, responding doctors most often reported that they order fecal occult blood tests. The exceptions were Estonia and Hungary, where the majority of family physicians referred patients to a specialist (p<0.001). Conclusions. Physicians from Central and Eastern European countries understood the need for the use of guidelines for the care of patients with gastrointestinal problems, but there is broad variation between countries in their management. Numerous efforts should be undertaken to establish and implement international standards for digestive disorders’ management in general practice.

Who Provides Health Care to Children and Adolescents in the United States?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 991-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Starfield ◽  
Robert A. Hoekelman ◽  
Marie McCormick ◽  
Paul Benson ◽  
Robert C. Mendenhall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Substantial Proportion ◽  
Minor Trauma ◽  
Average Response Rate

Face-to-face visits by children and adolescents in office-based practice in the mid-1970s were studied. Pediatricians, family physicians, and general practitioners accounted for 35%, 6%, and 30%, respectively, of all child visits. Although 40% to 45% of preventive and medical encounters were with pediatricians, only 12% of visits for minor surgery, 20% of visits for psychosocial problems, and 9% of visits for combined medical-surgical reasons were to pediatricians. Only in very young children did pediatricians provide a substantial proportion of care for each of the types of visits. For some common diagnoses (acne, refractive error) most care was provided by specialists other than primary care specialists, but less than 16% of all preventive care visits (including routine eye examinations) was provided by specialists other than primary care physicians. A substantial proportion of the prenatal care and management of minor trauma was provided by family physicians and general practitioners. Although the limitations of the study (including an average response rate of 55%, exclusion of certain specialties and institutional physicians, sampling at different times of the year, lack of control for area of location of practice, and lack of information about response rates of different types of physicians within each specialty) preclude definitive conclusions, the findings raise important questions for future study.

scholarly journals Priorities for family physician and general practitioner recruitment and retention in Singapore: a PRIORITIZE study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorainne Tudor Car ◽  
Yee Sean Teng ◽  
Jin Wei How ◽  
Nadia Nasuha Binte Mohammad Nazri ◽  
Amy Li Xian Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Retention Strategies ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Recruitment And Retention ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Abstract Background A shortage of primary care physicians has been reported in many countries. Primary care systems are diverse and the challenges leading to a decline in workforce are at times context-specific and require tailored solutions. Inviting frontline clinicians to share their insights can help identify optimal strategies for a particular setting. To determine priorities for family physicians’ and general practitioners’ recruitment and retention in Singapore, we invited primary care physicians to rank pertinent strategies using PRIORITIZE, a transparent, systematic priority-setting approach. Methods The study advisory board, consisting of representatives of Singapore’s key primary care stakeholders, determined the criteria for prioritising of general practitioners (GPs) and family physicians (FPs) recruitment and retention strategies in Singapore. A comprehensive list of GPs and FPs recruitment and retention strategies was extracted from a recent systematic review of the relevant literature. A questionnaire listing the strategies and the scoring criteria was administered online to doctors practicing in public and private sector in Singapore. Respondents’ scores were combined to create a ranked list of locally most relevant strategies for improving GPs and FPs recruitment and retention. Results We recruited a diverse sample of 50 GPs and FPs practicing in a variety of primary care settings, many with a range of additional professional responsibilities. Around 60 and 66% of respondents thought that there was a problem with recruitment and retention of GPs and FPs in Singapore, respectively. Strategies focusing on promoting primary care by emphasizing the advantages and enhancing the status of the profession as well as training-related strategies, such as sub-specialisation and high-quality rotations were considered priorities for improving recruitment. For retention of GPs and FPs, improving working conditions by increasing GPs’ and FPs’ salary and recognition, as well as varying or reducing time commitment, were seen as the most important strategies. The ranking between physicians working in public and private sector was mostly similar, with nine out of the top ten recruitment and retention strategies being the same. Conclusion Primary care physicians’ ranking of recruitment and retention strategies for GPs and FPs in Singapore provide important insight into the challenges and the solutions as seen by the members of the profession themselves. This information can guide future policy and decision making in this area.

scholarly journals The effect of pharmacist-led interventions in optimising prescribing in older adults in primary care: A systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205031211665256 ◽  
Author(s):  
David O Riordan ◽  
Kieran A Walsh ◽  
Rose Galvin ◽  
Carol Sinnott ◽  
Patricia M Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: To evaluate studies of pharmacist-led interventions on potentially inappropriate prescribing among community-dwelling older adults receiving primary care to identify the components of a successful intervention. Data sources: An electronic search of the literature was conducted using the following databases from inception to December 2015: PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE (through Ovid), Trip, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ISI Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov , metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database (Theses in Great Britain, Ireland and North America). Review methods: Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised studies involving a pharmacist-led intervention compared to usual/routine care which aimed to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults in primary care. Methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed. Results: A comprehensive literature search was conducted which identified 2193 studies following removal of duplicates. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Four studies involved a pharmacist conducting a medication review and providing feedback to patients or their family physician. One randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of a computerised tool that alerted pharmacists when elderly patients were newly prescribed potentially inappropriate medications. Four studies were associated with an improvement in prescribing appropriateness. Conclusion: Overall, this review demonstrates that pharmacist-led interventions may improve prescribing appropriateness in community-dwelling older adults. However, the quality of evidence is low. The role of a pharmacist working as part of a multidisciplinary primary care team requires further investigation to optimise prescribing in this group of patients.

Teaching Normal and Abnormal Behavior to Primary Care Physicians

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uriel Halbreich
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
General Internists ◽  
Education Committee ◽  
Personal Skills

Objective: This article delineates the framework for a curriculum on psychiatry, normal and abnormal human behavior for primary care physicians (PCPs). Methods: Curricula have been surveyed. Members of the Education Committee of the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry, as well as Family Physicians and General Internists involved in education have been consulted. Their recommendations are integrated. Results and Conclusions: The curriculum should be developed according to the needs of PCPs and from their perspective. Patient and problem-oriented, its content can be divided into: a) personal skills that should be developed; and b) knowledge of symptoms, their differential diagnosis (DDX) and management within the PCP's, facilities and abilities.

scholarly journals Factors influencing general practitioners’ perception of and attitude towards dementia diagnostics and care—results of a survey among primary care physicians in Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Wangler ◽  
Michael Jansky
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Cooperation ◽  
Practice Staff ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Dementia Diagnostics

SummaryStudies have shown that primary care is not always effective when it comes to caring for people with dementia. In addition, general practitioners do not always use diagnostic instruments consistently. The aim of the study was to identify relevant factors that influence general practitioners’ attitudes and willingness with respect to consistent diagnosis and care. For this purpose, resources, viewpoints, and behavioral patterns of general practitioners with regard to dementia diagnostics as well as common challenges in everyday practice were recorded. In the course of a survey, a total of 2266 general practitioners in Hesse and Baden-Württemberg were interviewed between January and March 2020. In addition to the descriptive analysis, a t-test was used to determine significant differences between two groups. A univariate linear regression analysis was carried out to identify possible influencing factors. 81% of the respondents do provide dementia diagnostics; 51% are involved in the treatment. Most of them see the diagnostic work-up (77%), communication and compliance problems (73%), as well as the therapeutic support (71%) as common challenges. In addition, there are interface problems regarding the interdisciplinary cooperation. Some of the respondents express doubts about the value of early detection (41%). The general practitioners’ attitude with respect to dementia diagnostics and care is determined by influencing factors that relate to geriatric competencies, expectations of self-efficacy, the integration of practice staff, as well as the knowledge of and cooperation with counseling and care services. It seems advisable to strengthen the geriatric competence of general practitioners. Moreover, it appears essential to educate general practitioners more about support structures in the field of dementia care and to integrate them accordingly. In addition, practice staff should be more systematically involved in the identification and care of dementia patients.

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