scholarly journals The use of ultrasound in primary care: Longitudinal billing and cross-sectional survey study in Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dima Touhami ◽  
Christoph Merlo ◽  
Joachim Hohmann ◽  
Stefan Essig
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Billing Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinical Indications ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Ultrasound imaging is utilized in Swiss primary care; however, little is known regarding the extent to which it is performed. With this study, we aim to (1) provide an overview of ultrasound use by general practitioners (GPs), and (2) determine the clinical indications of ultrasound in Swiss general practice.Methods This is a quantitative study, analyzing fifteen years of billing data from 213 GPs in Central Switzerland, and cross-sectional survey data completed by 61 GPs attending 26 certification and refresher courses offered by the Swiss Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (SGUM).Results According to billing data, 49% of the GPs used ultrasound and provided 130,245 exams to 67,180 patients between 2004 and 2018. Over the years, ultrasound use became more frequent among GPs. Male GPs provide more ultrasound exams than female GPs. Patients that are female, ≥65 years, and multi-morbid had more ultrasound exams compared to males, patients <65 years, and those with only one morbidity, respectively. GPs provided a mean of 129 ultrasound exams per physician-year. Abdominal ultrasound comprised almost 69% of all exams. According to survey data, indications covered many organ systems and clinical conditions, with abdominal indications being most frequent among them.Conclusions The use of ultrasound is high among general practitioners and it covers a wide range of clinical indications. Ultrasound is utilized primarily in the diagnosis of clinical indications of the abdomen, and more often for female than male patients.

scholarly journals The use of ultrasound in primary care: Longitudinal billing and cross-sectional survey study in Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dima Touhami ◽  
Christoph Merlo ◽  
Joachim Hohmann ◽  
Stefan Essig
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Billing Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Ultrasound imaging is utilized in Swiss primary care; however, little is known regarding the extent to which it is performed. A course in Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) has been recently introduced to promote and improve the utilization of ultrasound. POCUS will offer faster certification compared to previous courses thanks to a limited set of targeted examinations. With this study, we aim to (1) provide an overview of ultrasound use by general practitioners (GPs), and (2) determine how the clinical uses of ultrasound relate to the targeted objectives of POCUS. Methods This is a quantitative study, analyzing fifteen years of billing data from 213 GPs in Central Switzerland and cross-sectional survey data completed by 61 GPs attending 26 certification and refresher courses offered by the Swiss Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (SGUM). Results According to billing data, 49% of the GPs used ultrasound and provided 130,245 exams to 67,180 patients between 2004 and 2018. Over the years, ultrasound use became more frequent among GPs. Male GPs provide more ultrasound exams than female GPs. Patients that are female, ≥65 years, and multi-morbid had more ultrasound exams compared to males, patients <65 years, and those with only one morbidity, respectively. GPs provided a mean of 129 ultrasound exams per physician-year. Abdominal ultrasound comprised almost 69% of all exams. According to survey data, indications covered many organ systems and clinical conditions, with most POCUS indications being among them. Conclusions Utilization of ultrasound is high among general practitioners and covers a wide range of indications. A focus in certification on POCUS might reduce the variety of indications. Keywords: Ultrasound; general practice; primary care; general practitioners; clinical indications; POCUS; ultrasound certification; Switzerland

scholarly journals Task shifting from general practitioners to practice assistants and nurses in primary care: a cross-sectional survey in 34 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter P. Groenewegen ◽  
Wienke G. W. Boerma ◽  
Peter Spreeuwenberg ◽  
Bohumil Seifert ◽  
Willemijn Schäfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Nurse Prescribing ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Aim: To describe variation in task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to practice assistants/nurses in 34 countries, and to explain differences by analysing associations with characteristics of the GPs, their practices and features of the health care systems. Background: Redistribution of tasks and responsibilities in primary care are driven by changes in demand for care, such as the growing number of patients with chronic conditions, and workforce developments, including staff shortage. The need to manage an expanding range of services has led to adaptations in the skill mix of primary care teams. However, these developments are hampered by barriers between professional domains, which can be rigid as a result of strict regulation, traditional attitudes and lack of trust. Methods: Data were collected between 2011 and 2013 through a cross-sectional survey among approximately 7200 GPs in 34 countries. The dependent variable ‘task shifting’ is measured through a composite score of GPs’ self-reported shifting of tasks. Independent variables at GP and practice level are: innovativeness; part-time working; availability of staff; location and population of the practice. Country-level independent variables are: institutional development of primary care; demand for and supply of care; nurse prescribing as an indicator for professional boundaries; professionalisation of practice assistants/nurses (indicated by professional training, professional associations and journals). Multilevel analysis is used to account for the clustering of GPs in countries. Findings: Countries vary in the degree of task shifting by GPs. Regarding GP and practice characteristics, use of electronic health record applications (as an indicator for innovativeness) and age of the GPs are significantly related to task shifting. These variables explain only little variance at the level of GPs. Two country variables are positively related to task shifting: nurse prescribing and professionalisation of primary care nursing. Professionalisation has the strongest relationship, explaining 21% of the country variation.

Benefits and Challenges of Using Virtual Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmond Li ◽  
Rosy Tsopra ◽  
Geronimo Jimenez ◽  
Alice Serafini ◽  
Gustavo Gusso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Remote Care

BACKGROUND With the onset of COVID-19, general practitioners (GPs) and patients worldwide swiftly transitioned from face-to-face to digital remote consultations. There is a need to evaluate how this global shift has impacted patient care, healthcare providers, patient and carer experience, and health systems. OBJECTIVE We explored GPs’ perspectives on the main benefits and challenges of using digital remote care. METHODS GPs across 20 countries completed an online questionnaire between June – September 2020. GPs’ perceptions on main barriers and challenges were explored using free-text questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS A total of 1,605 respondents participated in our survey. The benefits identified included reducing COVID-19 transmission risks, guaranteeing access and continuity of care, improved efficiency, faster access to care, improved convenience and communication with patients, greater work flexibility for providers, and hastening the digital transformation of primary care and accompanying legal frameworks. Main challenges included patient’s preference for face-to-face consultations, digital exclusion, lack of physical examinations, clinical uncertainty, delays in diagnosis and treatment, overuse and misuse of digital remote care, and unsuitability for certain types of consultations. Other challenges include the lack of formal guidance, higher workloads, remuneration issues, organisational culture, technical difficulties, implementation and financial issues, and regulatory weaknesses. CONCLUSIONS At the frontline of care delivery, GPs can provide important insights on what worked well, why, and how during the pandemic. Lessons learned can be used to inform the adoption of improved virtual care solutions, and support the long-term development of platforms that are more technologically robust, secure. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/30099

Palliative care consultations in primary care: a cross-sectional survey among Dutch general practitioners

2016 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2015-000967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D Hoek ◽  
Henk J Schers ◽  
Jan C M Hendriks ◽  
Kris C P Vissers ◽  
Jeroen G J Hasselaar
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Co-infections by non-interacting pathogens are not independent & require new tests of interaction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric M. Hamelin ◽  
Linda J.S. Allen ◽  
Vrushali A. Bokil ◽  
Louis J. Gross ◽  
Frank M. Hilker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Epidemic Models ◽  
Statistical Independence ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Individual

AbstractIf pathogen species, strains or clones do not interact, intuition suggests the proportion of co-infected hosts should be the product of the individual prevalences. Independence consequently underpins the wide range of methods for detecting pathogen interactions from cross-sectional survey data. However, the very simplest of epidemiological models challenge the underlying assumption of statistical independence. Even if pathogens do not interact, death of co-infected hosts causes net prevalences of individual pathogens to decrease simultaneously. The induced positive correlation between prevalences means the proportion of co-infected hosts is expected to be higher than multiplication would suggest. By modeling the dynamics of multiple non-interacting pathogens, we develop a pair of novel tests of interaction that properly account for non-independence. Our tests allow us to reinterpret data from previous studies including pathogens of humans, plants, and animals. Our work demonstrates how methods to identify interactions between pathogens can be updated using simple epidemic models.

scholarly journals Management of Common Infections in German Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge and Confidence among General Practitioners and Outpatient Pediatricians

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Peter Konstantin Kurotschka ◽  
Elena Tiedemann ◽  
Dominik Wolf ◽  
Nicola Thier ◽  
Johannes Forster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Treatment Decisions ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Outpatient antibiotic use is closely related to antimicrobial resistance and in Germany, almost 70% of antibiotic prescriptions in human health are issued by primary care physicians (PCPs). The aim of this study was to explore PCPs, namely General Practitioners’ (GPs) and outpatient pediatricians’ (PDs) knowledge of guideline recommendations on rational antimicrobial treatment, the determinants of confidence in treatment decisions and the perceived need for training in this topic in a large sample of PCPs from southern Germany. Out of 3753 reachable PCPs, 1311 completed the survey (overall response rate = 34.9%). Knowledge of guideline recommendations and perceived confidence in making treatment decisions were high in both GPs and PDs. The two highest rated influencing factors on prescribing decisions were reported to be guideline recommendations and own clinical experiences, hence patients’ demands and expectations were judged as not influencing treatment decisions. The majority of physicians declared to have attended at least one specific training course on antibiotic use, yet almost all the participating PCPs declared to need more training on this topic. More studies are needed to explore how consultation-related and context-specific factors could influence antibiotic prescriptions in general and pediatric primary care in Germany beyond knowledge. Moreover, efforts should be undertaken to explore the training needs of PCPs in Germany, as this would serve the development of evidence-based educational interventions targeted to the improvement of antibiotic prescribing decisions rather than being focused solely on knowledge of guidelines.

Primary Care Providers' Attitudes Towards Recommending Cancer Screening to Patients With Intellectual Disability: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Inclusion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-193
Author(s):  
Genevieve Breau ◽  
Sally Thorne ◽  
Jennifer Baumbusch ◽  
T. Greg Hislop ◽  
Arminee Kazanjian
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) obtain breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening at lower rates, relative to the general population. This cross-sectional survey study explored how primary care providers and trainees recommend cancer screening to patients with ID, using a standardized attitudes questionnaire and vignettes of fictional patients. In total, 106 primary care providers and trainees participated. Analyses revealed that participants' attitudes towards community inclusion predicted whether participants anticipated recommending breast and colorectal cancer screening to fictional patients. Further research is needed to explore these factors in decisions to recommend screening, and how these factors contribute to cancer screening disparities.

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