General Practice Psychiatric Clinics

1984 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tyrer ◽  
Nicholas Seivewright ◽  
Stanley Wollerton

SummaryThe impact of devolving out-patient care to general practice (GP) psychiatric clinics over a two-year period is examined by comparing the frequency of contact with different psychiatric services in practices with and without psychiatric clinics. The clinics led to an increase in the number of outpatients seen, but to a fall in the number of new referrals. There was also a relative increase in the number of domiciliary visits and increase in acute day hospital referrals. The most important result was a 20 per cent fall in the number of admissions to the psychiatric hospital, which took place at a time when the national trend of falling admission rates was reversed. The findings suggest that psychiatric resources for in-patients can be deployed successfully in primary care without any increase in staffing.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongqing Xu ◽  
Jingchun Fan ◽  
Jingjing Ding ◽  
Xianzhen Feng ◽  
Shunyu Tao ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L Campbell ◽  
Emily Fletcher ◽  
Gary Abel ◽  
Rob Anderson ◽  
Rupatharshini Chilvers ◽  
...  

BackgroundUK general practice faces a workforce crisis, with general practitioner (GP) shortages, organisational change, substantial pressures across the whole health-care system and an ageing population with increasingly complex health needs. GPs require lengthy training, so retaining the existing workforce is urgent and important.Objectives(1) To identify the key policies and strategies that might (i) facilitate the retention of experienced GPs in direct patient care or (ii) support the return of GPs following a career break. (2) To consider the feasibility of potentially implementing those policies and strategies.DesignThis was a comprehensive, mixed-methods study.SettingThis study took place in primary care in England.ParticipantsGeneral practitioners registered in south-west England were surveyed. Interviews were with purposively selected GPs and primary care stakeholders. A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) panel comprised GP partners and GPs working in national stakeholder organisations. Stakeholder consultations included representatives from regional and national groups.Main outcome measuresSystematic review – factors affecting GPs’ decisions to quit and to take career breaks. Survey – proportion of GPs likely to quit, to take career breaks or to reduce hours spent in patient care within 5 years of being surveyed. Interviews – themes relating to GPs’ decision-making. RAM – a set of policies and strategies to support retention, assessed as ‘appropriate’ and ‘feasible’. Predictive risk modelling – predictive model to identify practices in south-west England at risk of workforce undersupply within 5 years. Stakeholder consultation – comments and key actions regarding implementing emergent policies and strategies from the research.ResultsPast research identified four job-related ‘push’ factors associated with leaving general practice: (1) workload, (2) job dissatisfaction, (3) work-related stress and (4) work–life balance. The survey, returned by 2248 out of 3370 GPs (67%) in the south-west of England, identified a high likelihood of quitting (37%), taking a career break (36%) or reducing hours (57%) within 5 years. Interviews highlighted three drivers of leaving general practice: (1) professional identity and value of the GP role, (2) fear and risk associated with service delivery and (3) career choices. The RAM panel deemed 24 out of 54 retention policies and strategies to be ‘appropriate’, with most also considered ‘feasible’, including identification of and targeted support for practices ‘at risk’ of workforce undersupply and the provision of formal career options for GPs wishing to undertake portfolio roles. Practices at highest risk of workforce undersupply within 5 years are those that have larger patient list sizes, employ more nurses, serve more deprived and younger populations, or have poor patient experience ratings. Actions for national organisations with an interest in workforce planning were identified. These included collection of data on the current scope of GPs’ portfolio roles, and the need for formal career pathways for key primary care professionals, such as practice managers.LimitationsThe survey, qualitative research and modelling were conducted in one UK region. The research took place within a rapidly changing policy environment, providing a challenge in informing emergent policy and practice.ConclusionsThis research identifies the basis for current concerns regarding UK GP workforce capacity, drawing on experiences in south-west England. Policies and strategies identified by expert stakeholders after considering these findings are likely to be of relevance in addressing GP retention in the UK. Collaborative, multidisciplinary research partnerships should investigate the effects of rolling out some of the policies and strategies described in this report.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016033876 and UKCRN ID number 20700.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
F R Beyer ◽  
F Campbell ◽  
N Bertholet ◽  
J B Daeppen ◽  
J B Saunders ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims An updated Cochrane systematic review assessed effectiveness of screening and brief intervention to reduce hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption in general practice or emergency care settings. This paper summarises the implications of the review for clinicians. Methods Cochrane methods were followed. Reporting accords with PRISMA guidance. We searched multiple resources to September 2017, seeking randomised controlled trials of brief interventions to reduce hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption in people attending general practice, emergency care or other primary care settings for reasons other than alcohol treatment. Brief intervention was defined as a conversation comprising five or fewer sessions of brief advice or brief lifestyle counselling and a total duration of less than 60 min. Our primary outcome was alcohol consumption, measured as or convertible to grams per week. We conducted meta-analyses to assess change in consumption, and subgroup analyses to explore the impact of participant and intervention characteristics. Results We included 69 studies, of which 42 were added for this update. Most studies (88%) compared brief intervention to control. The primary meta-analysis included 34 studies and provided moderate-quality evidence that brief intervention reduced consumption compared to control after one year (mean difference −20 g/wk, 95% confidence interval −28 to −12). Subgroup analysis showed a similar effect for men and women. Conclusions Brief interventions can reduce harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in men and women. Short, advice-based interventions may be as effective as extended, counselling-based interventions for patients with harmful levels of alcohol use who are presenting for the first time in a primary care setting.


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 387-390
Author(s):  
Polash Shajahan ◽  
Mark Taylor

Aims and MethodTo examine the pathways and outcomes of in-patient care in our locality before crisis teams were introduced details of all emergency referrals to psychiatry were recorded and all admissions to hospital were assessed within 24 h of admission and discharge.ResultsOver a 6-month period, 88% (n=1852) of calls to the duty psychiatrist occurred between 09.00 and 01.00 h. Referrals from accident and emergency and general practice represented the majority of calls (80%); 40% of patients were admitted. Highest admission rates were for patients who were psychotic, suicidal or depressed. Admission led to improvement in all symptoms.Clinical ImplicationsIn-patient care is a valuable resource for stabilising patients who are acutely ill. Routine monitoring of unscheduled activity can inform service delivery.


2015 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Montgomery-Taylor ◽  
Mando Watson ◽  
Robert Klaber

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of an integrated child health system.DesignMixed methods service evaluation.Setting and patientsChildren, young people and their families registered in Child Health General Practitioner (GP) Hubs where groups of GP practices come together to form ‘hubs’.InterventionsHospital paediatricians and GPs participating in joint clinics and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in GP practices, a component of an ‘Inside-Out’ change known as ‘Connecting Care For Children (CC4C)’.Main outcome measuresCases seen in clinic or discussed at MDT meetings and their follow-up needs. Hospital Episode data: outpatient and inpatient activity and A&E attendance. Patient-reported experience measures and professionals’ feedback.ResultsIn one hub, 39% of new patient hospital appointments were avoided altogether and a further 42% of appointments were shifted from hospital to GP practice. In addition, there was a 19% decrease in sub-specialty referrals, a 17% reduction in admissions and a 22% decrease in A&E attenders. Smaller hubs running at lower capacity in early stages of implementation had less impact on hospital activity. Patients preferred appointments at the GP practice, gained increased confidence in taking their child to the GP and all respondents said they would recommend the service to family and friends. Professionals valued the improvement in knowledge and learning and, most significantly, the development of trust and collaboration.ConclusionsChild Health GP Hubs increase the connections between secondary and primary care, reduce secondary care usage and receive high patient satisfaction ratings while providing learning for professionals.


BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101091
Author(s):  
Maria Bang ◽  
Henrik Schou Pedersen ◽  
Bodil Hammer Bech ◽  
Claus Høstrup Vestergaard ◽  
Jannik Falhof ◽  
...  

BackgroundAdvanced access scheduling (AAS) allows patients to receive care from their GP at the time chosen by the patient. AAS has shown to increase the accessibility to general practice, but little is known about how AAS implementation affects the use of in-hours and out-of-hours (OOH) services.AimTo describe the impact of AAS on the use of in-hours and OOH services in primary care.Design & settingA population-based matched cohort study using Danish register data.MethodA total of 161 901 patients listed in 33 general practices with AAS were matched with 287 837 reference patients listed in 66 reference practices without AAS. Outcomes of interest were use of daytime face-to-face consultations, and use of OOH face-to-face and phone consultations in a 2-year period preceding and following AAS implementation.ResultsNo significant differences were seen between AAS practices and reference practices. During the year following AAS implementation, the number of daytime face-to-face consultations was 3% (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99 to 1.07) higher in the AAS practices compared with the number in the reference practices. Patients listed with an AAS practice had 2% (aIRR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.04) fewer OOH phone consultations and 6% (aIRR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.86 to 1.02) fewer OOH face-to-face consultations compared with patients listed with a reference practice.ConclusionThis study showed no significant differences following AAS implementation. However, a trend was seen towards slightly higher use of daytime primary care and lower use of OOH primary care.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (37) ◽  
pp. 1-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Wilson ◽  
Richard Baker ◽  
John Bankart ◽  
Jay Banerjee ◽  
Ran Bhamra ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn England, between 2007/8 and 2009/10, the rate of unplanned hospital admissions of people aged 85 years and above rose from 48 to 52 per 100. There was substantial variation, with some areas showing a much faster rate of increase and others showing a decline.ObjectivesTo identify system characteristics associated with higher and lower increases in unplanned admission rates in those aged 85 years and over; to develop recommendations to inform providers and commissioners; and to investigate the challenges of starting to implement these recommendations.DesignMixed-methods study using routinely collected data, in-depth interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed using the framework approach, with themes following McKinsey’s 7S model. Recommendations derived from our findings were refined and prioritised through respondent validation and consultation with the project steering group. The process of beginning to implement these recommendations was examined in one ‘implementation site’.ParticipantsSix study sites were selected based on admission data for patients aged 85 years and above from primary care trusts: three where rates of increase were among the most rapid and three where they had slowed down or declined. Each ‘improving’ or ‘deteriorating’ site comprised an acute hospital trust, its linked primary care trust/clinical commissioning group, the provider of community health services, and adult social care. At each site, representatives from these organisations at strategic and operational levels, as well as representatives of patient groups, were interviewed to understand how policies had been developed and implemented. A total of 142 respondents were interviewed.ResultsBetween 2007/8 and 2009/10, average admission rates for people aged 85 years and over rose by 5.5% annually in deteriorating sites and fell by 1% annually in improving sites. During the period under examination, the population aged 85 years and over in deteriorating sites increased by 3.4%, compared with 1.3% in improving sites. In deteriorating sites, there were problems with general practitioner access, pressures on emergency departments and a lack of community-based alternatives to admission. However, the most striking difference between improving and deteriorating sites was not the presence or absence of specific services, but the extent to which integration within and between types of service had been achieved. There were also overwhelming differences in leadership, culture and strategic development at the system level. The final list of recommendations emphasises the importance of issues such as maximising integration of services, strategic leadership and adopting a system-wide approach to reconfiguration.ConclusionsRising admission rates for older people were seen in places where several parts of the system were under strain. Places which had stemmed the rising tide of admissions had done so through strong, stable leadership, a shared vision and strategy, and common values across the system.Future workResearch on individual components of care for older people needs to take account of their impact on the system as a whole. Areas where more evidence is needed include the impact of improving access and continuity in primary care, the optimal capacity for intermediate care and how the frail elderly can best be managed in emergency departments.Study registrationUK Clinical Reasearch Network 12960.Funding detailsThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon de Lusignan ◽  
F D Richard Hobbs ◽  
Harshana Liyanage ◽  
Filipa Ferreira ◽  
Manasa Tripathy ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the commonest arrhythmias observed in general practice. The thromboembolic complications of AF include transient ischemic attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Early recognition of AF can lead to early intervention with managing the risks of these complications. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study is to investigate if patients are managed in general practice according to current national guidelines. In addition, the study will evaluate the impact of direct oral anticoagulant use with respect to AF complications in a real-world dataset. The secondary aims of the study are to develop a dashboard that will allow monitoring the management of AF in general practice and evaluate the usability of the dashboard. METHODS The study was conducted in 2 phases. The initial phase was a quantitative analysis of routinely collected primary care data from the Oxford Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Center (RCGP RSC) sentinel network database. AF cases from 2009 to 2019 were identified. The study investigated the impact of the use of anticoagulants on complications of AF over this time period. We used this dataset to examine how AF was managed in primary care during the last decade. The second phase involved development of an online dashboard for monitoring management of AF in general practice. We conducted a usability evaluation for the dashboard to identify usability issues and performed enhancements to improve usability. RESULTS We received funding for both phases in January 2019 and received approval from the RCGP RSC research committee in March 2019. We completed data extraction for phase 1 in May 2019 and completed analysis in December 2019. We completed building the AF dashboard in May 2019. We started recruiting participants for phase 1 in May 2019 and concluded data collection in July 2019. We completed data analysis for phase 2 in October 2019. The results are expected to be published in the second half of 2020. As of October 2020, the publications reporting the results are under review. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study will provide an insight into the current trends in management of AF using real-world data from the Oxford RCGP RSC database. We anticipate that the outcomes of this study will be used to guide the development and implementation of an audit-based intervention tool to assist practitioners in identifying and managing AF in primary care. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR1-10.2196/21259


VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 360-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Müller-Bühl ◽  
Leutgeb ◽  
Engeser ◽  
N. Achankeng ◽  
Szecsenyi ◽  
...  

Background: The role of varicose veins (VV) as a risk factor for development of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is still controversial. The aim of this study in primary care was to determine the impact of varicosity as a potential risk factor for developing DVT. Patients and methods: During the observation period between 01-Jan-2008 and 01-Jan-2011, all cases with VV (ICD code I83.9) and DVT (ICD codes I80.1 - I80.9) were identified out of the CONTENT primary care register (Heidelberg, Germany). The exposure of VV and DVT was based solely on ICD coding without regarding the accuracy of the diagnosis. The covariates age, gender, surgery, hospitalization, congestive heart failure, malignancy, pregnancy, hormonal therapy, and respiratory infection were extracted for each patient. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed in order to assess potential risk factors for DVT. The SAS procedure “PROC GENMOD” (SAS version 9.2, 64-bit) was parameterised accordingly. A potential cluster effect (patients within practices) was regarded in the regression model. Results: There were 132 out of 2,357 (5.6 %) DVT episodes among patients with VV compared to 728 out of 80,588 (0.9 %) in the patient cohort without VV (p < 0.0001). An increased risk of DVT was associated with previous DVT (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 9.07, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 7.78 - 10.91), VV (OR 7.33 [CI 6.14 - 8.74]), hospitalization during the last 6 months (OR 1.69 [CI 1.29 - 2.22]), malignancy (OR 1.55 [CI 1.19 - 2.02]), and age (OR 1.02 [CI 1.01 - 1.03]). Conclusions: There are strong associations between VV and DVT in a general practice population with documented VV. Special medical attention is required for patients with VV, a history of previous venous thromboembolism, comorbid malignancy, and recent hospital discharge, particularly those with a combination of these factors.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document