PSA testing for prostate cancer: an online survey of the views and reported practice of General Practitioners in the UK

BackgroundIn the UK, doctors’ regulatory and professional bodies require general practitioners (GPs) to consider discussing spiritual health as part of the consultation. However, spiritual health is not defined in guidance, and it is unknown what individual doctors understand by the term.Research questionWhat do GPs understand by the term ‘spiritual health’?AimTo explore how GPs understand and define spiritual health.Design and settingSurvey of GPs in England 9 April 2019–21 May 2019.MethodA mixed-methods online survey asked practising GPs in England qualitative free text questions—‘What does the term ‘Spiritual Health’ mean to you?’ and ‘Any comments?’ after five vignettes about discussing spiritual health with patients. These were subject to thematic analysis using a priori themes from the literature on GP definitions of spiritual health, and on attitudes towards the topic.Participants177 practising GPs in England.Results177 GPs responded to the survey. Understanding of spiritual health fitted into three themes: self-actualisation and meaning, transcendence and relationships beyond the self, and expressions of spirituality. A full range of views were expressed, from a minority who challenged their role in spiritual health, through to others enthusiastic about its place in healthcare.ConclusionSpirituality and religiosity are understood by English GPs to be distinct concepts. A consensus definition of spiritual health incorporating the themes identified by working doctors, may be helpful to support GPs to follow the recommended guidance in their practice.

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Impact of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing by Dutch general practitioners

BJU International ◽

10.1111/bju.12029 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 112 (1) ◽

pp. 26-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Saskia Van der Meer ◽

Boudewijn J. Kollen ◽

Willem H. Hirdes ◽

Martijn G. Steffens ◽

Josette E.H.M. Hoekstra-Weebers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Prostate Specific Antigen ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Specific Antigen ◽

Psa Testing

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PSA Testing: Are Patients Aware of What Lies Ahead?

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/003588406x98685 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 284-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Marc Lamplugh ◽

Paul Gilmore ◽

Timothy Quinlan ◽

Philip Cornford

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Secondary Care ◽

Prostate Cancer Screening ◽

Specific Antigen ◽

Psa Test ◽

Psa Testing ◽

Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽

Controversial Topic ◽

The Uk ◽

Men’S Knowledge

INTRODUCTION Screening for prostate cancer with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) remains a controversial topic. The UK NHS Executive has issued extensive guidance stressing the importance of adequate counselling prior to performing this test. This study aims to assess men's knowledge of the PSA test at the time of their referral and their attitude towards screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 219 men referred to urology via the ‘fast track’ prostate cancer service were recruited into the study. Of these, 191 were referred from primary care and 28 from secondary care. All men completed a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and expectation of the test. RESULTS The response rate for completed questionnaires was 100%. Overall, 91 (41.5%) men were aware that their PSA had been performed prior to referral and only 79 (36%) men understood why the test was being done. Patients referred from secondary care appeared to be better informed. Despite these figures, 175 (80%) men said they would recommend PSA testing to a friend or colleague, and 196 (89%) men said the test should be broadly publicised. CONCLUSIONS Nearly two-thirds of the men referred to urology with an elevated PSA were unaware that they had even had their PSA done. Information about the limitations of PSA testing and the consequence of a positive test result had been deficient. Informed counselling for the PSA test should form part of the consultation of any physician intending to undertake this test whether for lower urinary tract symptoms or for prostate cancer screening.

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1476: Prostate Cancer Detection in Men Aged 45-49 Years in the UK Protect (Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment) Trial

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/s0022-5347(18)33680-2 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 175 (4S) ◽

pp. 476-477

Author(s):

Freddie C. Hamdy ◽

Joanne Howson ◽

Athene Lane ◽

Jenny L. Donovan ◽

David E. Neal

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Detection ◽

Treatment Trial ◽

Prostate Cancer Detection ◽

The Uk

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653: The Protect (Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment) Study: Evaluating Screening and Treatment of Clinically Localised Prostate Cancer in the UK

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/s0022-5347(18)32899-4 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 175 (4S) ◽

pp. 210-210

Author(s):

◽

Freddie C. Hamdy ◽

Athene Lane ◽

David E. Neal ◽

Malcolm Mason ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

The Uk

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Studies explore appropriateness of PSA testing for prostate cancer

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e556852006-010 ◽

2000 ◽

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Psa Testing

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Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

BMJ Paediatrics Open ◽

10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000942 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. e000942

Author(s):

Oliver G P Lawton ◽

Sarah A Lawton ◽

Lisa Dikomitis ◽

Joanne Protheroe ◽

Joanne Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young People ◽

Significant Role ◽

Online Survey ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education Gaps ◽

The Uk

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.

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Experiences and impact of international medical volunteering: a multi-country mixed methods study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041599 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e041599 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary McCauley ◽

Joanna Raven ◽

Nynke van den Broek

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

International Medical ◽

Middle Income ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

The Uk ◽

Medical Volunteers ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the experience and impact of medical volunteers who facilitated training workshops for healthcare providers in maternal and newborn emergency care in 13 countries.SettingsBangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe.ParticipantsMedical volunteers from the UK (n=162) and from low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) (n=138).Outcome measuresExpectations, experience, views, personal and professional impact of the experience of volunteering on medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC.ResultsUK-based medical volunteers (n=38) were interviewed using focus group discussions (n=12) and key informant interviews (n=26). 262 volunteers (UK-based n=124 (47.3%), and LMIC-based n=138 (52.7%)) responded to the online survey (62% response rate), covering 506 volunteering episodes. UK-based medical volunteers were motivated by altruism, and perceived volunteering as a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in leadership, teaching and communication, skills reported to be transferable to their home workplace. Medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC (n=244) reported increased confidence (98%, n=239); improved teamwork (95%, n=232); strengthened leadership skills (90%, n=220); and reported that volunteering had a positive impact for the host country (96%, n=234) and healthcare providers trained (99%, n=241); formed sustainable partnerships (97%, n=237); promoted multidisciplinary team working (98%, n=239); and was a good use of resources (98%, n=239). Medical volunteers based in LMIC reported higher satisfaction scores than those from the UK with regards to impact on personal and professional development.ConclusionHealthcare providers from the UK and LMIC are highly motivated to volunteer to increase local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in low-resource settings. Further research is necessary to understand the experiences of local partners and communities regarding how the impact of international medical volunteering can be mutually beneficial and sustainable with measurable outcomes.

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