scholarly journals Long Covid-19: Proposed Primary Care Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Disease Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4350
Author(s):  
Antoni Sisó-Almirall ◽  
Pilar Brito-Zerón ◽  
Laura Conangla Ferrín ◽  
Belchin Kostov ◽  
Anna Moragas Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Press Releases ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Groups

Long COVID-19 may be defined as patients who, four weeks after the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection, continue to have signs and symptoms not explainable by other causes. The estimated frequency is around 10% and signs and symptoms may last for months. The main long-term manifestations observed in other coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)) are very similar to and have clear clinical parallels with SARS-CoV-2: mainly respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric. The growing number of patients worldwide will have an impact on health systems. Therefore, the main objective of these clinical practice guidelines is to identify patients with signs and symptoms of long COVID-19 in primary care through a protocolized diagnostic process that studies possible etiologies and establishes an accurate differential diagnosis. The guidelines have been developed pragmatically by compiling the few studies published so far on long COVID-19, editorials and expert opinions, press releases, and the authors’ clinical experience. Patients with long COVID-19 should be managed using structured primary care visits based on the time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the current limited evidence, disease management of long COVID-19 signs and symptoms will require a holistic, longitudinal follow up in primary care, multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, and the empowerment of affected patient groups.

Measuring the Ability of Primary-Care Physicians To Diagnose and Manage Patients with Hematologic Malignancies.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3312-3312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Rosen ◽  
Richard C. Wender ◽  
Haleh Kadkhoda ◽  
Scott L. Kober
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Thyroid Function Tests ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

Abstract In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded funding (Coop. Agreement No. U58/CCU324301-01) for the Hematologic Oncology Primary Intervention Networking Group (HOPING), a national educational initiative of the Institute for Continuing Healthcare Education (the Institute). HOPING was developed to increase survivorship of patients with hematologic malignancies beyond 5 years. Its intent was to educate PCPs on the signs and symptoms of hematologic malignances to encourage more appropriate and timely referrals to a specialist, as well as to identify and bridge gaps in knowledge regarding the long-term follow-up and care of survivors of hematologic malignancies. Methods: Educational strategies included live presentations at primary care conferences, distribution of resource materials at an educational booth, and a resource Web site (www.hopingdocs.org). As part of the HOPING initiative, immediate participant feedback was gathered during live programs through an audience response system as well as through registrant surveys distributed at the booth and on the Web. The questions within those two settings were intended to gauge the practitioner’s ability to properly recognize the signs and symptoms of hematologic malignancies and provide appropriate follow-up care for patients with hematologic malignancies. Results: Data were collected from a total of 357 individuals (277 from live activities, 80 from online/booth surveys). Approximately 64% of the live program survey respondents were physicians; the majority identified themselves as family practice/family medicine or internal medicine specialists. When asked how they would monitor a 54-year-old male patient free from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for five years, only 44% of respondents correctly indicated that they would conduct an annual physical exam, clinical lab tests, thyroid function tests, and a chest x-ray. Respondents also showed lack of knowledge regarding appropriate studies to order for a patient presenting with specific symptoms and laboratory test results consistent with leukemia. The online/booth surveys were completed by 80 respondents; specific demographic data were not collected. Only 22% of respondents said that they are confident educating patients (and/or their caregivers) about hematologic malignancies. Respondents’ experience with available blood tests for MGUS and MDS was particularly poor -- only 10% said that they "have ordered" such tests while 46% were "unaware" of available tests. The overall ability of respondents to detect possible signs and symptoms of hematologic malignancies (specifically, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) was also low. Conclusion: In the eyes of the primary care community, hematologic malignancies are low-volume, high-risk conditions, and the complexity of diagnosing and providing long-term care to patients with hematologic malignancies is a growing challenge. Post-treatment chronic conditions such as late-onset cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and secondary malignancies often develop after therapy for hematologic malignancies and must be properly managed. Gaps in knowledge regarding the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of hematologic malignancies may negatively impact timely referral to specialists. Because of their increasingly vital role in the cancer care continuum, PCPs need additional education to improve the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies.

scholarly journals Routine clinical care data from thirteen cardiac outpatient clinics: design of the Cardiology Centers of the Netherlands (CCN) database

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie H. Bots ◽  
Klaske R. Siegersma ◽  
N. Charlotte Onland-Moret ◽  
Folkert W. Asselbergs ◽  
G. Aernout Somsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
General Practitioner ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Strong Base ◽  
Daily Care ◽  
Cardiac Symptoms ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Groups

Abstract Background Despite the increasing availability of clinical data due to the digitalisation of healthcare systems, data often remain inaccessible due to the diversity of data collection systems. In the Netherlands, Cardiology Centers of the Netherlands (CCN) introduced “one-stop shop” diagnostic clinics for patients suspected of cardiac disease by their general practitioner. All CCN clinics use the same data collection system and standardised protocol, creating a large regular care database. This database can be used to describe referral practices, evaluate risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in important patient subgroups, and develop prediction models for use in daily care. Construction and content The current database contains data on all patients who underwent a cardiac workup in one of the 13 CCN clinics between 2007 and February 2018 (n = 109,151, 51.9% women). Data were pseudonymised and contain information on anthropometrics, cardiac symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities, cardiovascular and family history, standard blood laboratory measurements, transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiography in rest and during exercise, and medication use. Clinical follow-up is based on medical need and consisted of either a repeat visit at CCN (43.8%) or referral for an external procedure in a hospital (16.5%). Passive follow-up via linkage to national mortality registers is available for 95% of the database. Utility and discussion The CCN database provides a strong base for research into historically underrepresented patient groups due to the large number of patients and the lack of in- and exclusion criteria. It also enables the development of artificial intelligence-based decision support tools. Its contemporary nature allows for comparison of daily care with the current guidelines and protocols. Missing data is an inherent limitation, as the cardiologist could deviate from standardised protocols when clinically indicated. Conclusion The CCN database offers the opportunity to conduct research in a unique population referred from the general practitioner to the cardiologist for diagnostic workup. This, in combination with its large size, the representation of historically underrepresented patient groups and contemporary nature makes it a valuable tool for expanding our knowledge of cardiovascular diseases. Trial registration: Not applicable.

scholarly journals Establishing a nurse-led thyroid cancer follow-up clinic

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. S28-S35
Author(s):  
Andrew Fishburn ◽  
Nicola Fishburn
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
Patient Survey ◽  
Safe Patient Care ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Risk Of Disease

Thyroid cancer is a complex disease requiring management by a large multidisciplinary team. The number of patients with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer is significantly increasing year-on-year, and traditional models of consultant-led follow up are no longer sustainable. Although nurse-led cancer follow-up clinics are becomining increasingly common, thyroid cancer nurse-led follow-up clinics are rare. An excellent understanding of the disease, treatment and management of risk of disease recurrence is essential for safe patient care, and is discussed in this article. The clinic discussed uses the skill set of head and neck nurse specialists, including psychological support, coping strategies for long-term side effects of treatment and non-medical prescribing. A patient survey of the service revealed high levels of patient satisfaction and a desire to continue face-to-face consultations rather than telephone clinics.

scholarly journals Long-term follow-up in optimally treated and stable heart failure patients: primary care vs. heart failure clinic. Results of the COACH-2 study

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1241-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Louise A. Luttik ◽  
Tiny Jaarsma ◽  
Peter Paul van Geel ◽  
Maaike Brons ◽  
Hans L. Hillege ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Heart Failure Patients ◽  
Heart Failure Clinic ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Abstract T MP103: Effect of Follow-up Phone Calls on 30-day Readmission Rates for Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background and Purpose: Patients who are hospitalized for a stroke or TIA go home with a great deal of information about risk factors, medications, diet and exercise, signs and symptoms of stroke and follow-up care. This information may be difficult for the patient or caregiver to understand and can be overwhelming in the face of a new life-changing event. In addition, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will start publicly reporting 30-day readmission rates beginning in 2016. The purpose of this study is to determine if follow-up phone calls with a nurse help to reduce 30 day readmission rates for patients with stroke and TIA. Methods: This study utilized a convenience sample of adult patients who were admitted for ischemic stroke, ICH, SAH or TIA from March 2013 to February 2014. Patients in the intervention group participated in a phone call seven days after discharge to assess their compliance with medications, physician appointments and lifestyle changes. The proportion of readmissions between the groups was compared with Fisher’s exact test. Results: The total number of patients enrolled in the study was 586 and there were no significant differences in demographics between the control and intervention groups. Of the 533 patients in the control group, 54 (10%) of them were readmitted, including 11 patients readmitted for elective surgical procedures. Of the 52 patients in the intervention group, 3 (5.7%) of them were readmitted before the 7-day phone call. Of the 49 patients who participated in the 7-day phone call, none of them were readmitted ( p =0.0098). Conclusions: Patients who participate in a 7-day phone call appear to benefit and are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Other strategies may need to be considered for patients who are at higher risk, and thus more likely to be readmitted within seven days of discharge. In addition, some providers may wish to reconsider how they schedule elective procedures for secondary stroke prevention.

scholarly journals Optimizing childhood oncology care transition from pediatric to adult settings: A survey of primary care physicians’ and residents’ perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. E14-23
Author(s):  
Sophie Marcoux, MD, PhD Marcoux ◽  
Caroline Laverdière
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Care Transition ◽  
Term Care

Purpose: The majority of childhood cancer survivors suffer from late adverse effects after the completion of treatment. The prospect of most survivors reaching middle-age is a relatively new phenomenon, and the ways by which current and future primary care physicians (PCPs) will address this novel public health challenge are uncertain. Methods: A survey assessing knowledge level and information delivery preferences regarding long-term follow-up guidelines for adult patients having survived a childhood cancer was distributed by e-mail through the Quebec (Canada) national associations of PCPs and residents (n=238). Results: Participants reported an estimated average of 2.9 ± 1.9 cancer survivors in their yearly caseload, and only 35.3% recalled having provided services to at least one survivor in the last year. Most participants indicated ignoring validated follow-up guidelines for these patients (average score 1.66 on a Likert scale from “1—totally disagreeing” to “5—totally agreeing”). Scarce access to personalized follow-up guidelines and lack of clinical exposure to cancer survivors were identified as main obstacles in providing optimal care to these patients (respective averages of 1.66 and 1.84 on a Likert scale from “1— is a major obstacle” to “5—is not an obstacle at all”). Conclusion: The PCPs and residents rarely provide care for childhood cancer adult survivors. On an individual basis, there is a clear need for increased awareness, education and collaboration regarding long-term care of childhood cancer adult survivors during medical training. On a more global basis, structural, organizational and cultural changes are also needed to ensure adequate care transition.

scholarly journals Improved Biochemical Parameters in Patients Who Undergo Early Resection in Isolated Ileocaecal Crohn’s Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mirzafaraz Saeed ◽  
Hari Hullur ◽  
Amro Salem ◽  
Abbas Ali ◽  
Yousif Sahib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crohn’S Disease ◽  
Crohn's Disease ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
One Year

Introduction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of introduction of early surgery in the course of isolated ileocecal Crohn’s disease, where there is no absolute indication of surgery. Methods. Observational study involving patients with isolated ileocecal Crohn’s disease who underwent early surgical resection (within one year of the presentation of the hospital). A complete blood count, ESR, and CRP were done and compared between the preoperative value, 1st postoperative visit (3-4 weeks), and last follow-up visit. Statistical analysis was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to compare the different figures. Results. There was a statistically significant increase in the hemoglobin levels between preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up and a significant decrease in leukocyte count between the pre- and postoperative values (F=19.8, p<0.001 and F=8.9, p=0.002, resp.). Similarly, the ESR and CRP values were decreased significantly at long-term follow-up (F=8.5, p=0.019 and F=8.3, p=0.013, resp.). Conclusion. Early surgical resection in isolated ileocaecal Crohn’s disease achieved significant biochemical improvements. These successful results in this small number of patients indicate that early surgical intervention may provide better outcomes. These initial results encourage larger and comparative studies of long-term results versus long-term use of biological agents.

Outcomes of open and endovascular repair of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms

Vascular ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
África Duque Santos ◽  
Andrés Reyes Valdivia ◽  
María Asunción Romero Lozano ◽  
Enrique Aracil Sanus ◽  
Julia Ocaña Guaita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Surgery ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Endovascular Aortic Repair ◽  
Abdominal Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Repair ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Repair Group

Objective Reports on inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm treatment are scarce. Traditionally, open surgery has been validated as the gold standard of treatment; however, high technical skills are required. Endovascular aortic repair has been suggested as a less invasive treatment by some authors offering good results. The purpose of our study was to report our experience and outcomes in the treatment of inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm using both approaches. Material and methods A retrospective review and data collection of all patients treated for inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm between 2000 and 2015 was done in one academic center. Diagnosis of inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm was based on preoperative CT-scan imaging. Type of treatment, postoperative and long-term morbidity and mortality are described. Abdominal compressive symptoms (hydronephrosis) severity and relief after treatment are described. Results Thirty-four patients with intact inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm were included. Twenty-nine (85.3%) patients were treated by open means and the remaining five (14.7%) with endovascular aortic repair. Nearly 90% were considered high-risk patients. Median follow-up was 46 months (range 24–112). The two groups were comparable, except for the age and preoperative hydronephrosis. There was no statistical significance in blood transfusion requirements, intensive care hospitalization, 30-day and long-term mortality between the two groups. Preoperative hydronephrosis was diagnosed in four (13.8%) patients in the open surgery group and three (60%) patients in the endovascular aortic repair group. Improvement of hydronephrosis was recognized in three out of the four patients in the open repair group and two out of the three in the endovascular aortic repair group. Renal function remained stable in both groups during follow-up. Conclusions Open surgery remains a safe and valid option for the treatment of inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysm. Although our study included a small number of patients with endovascular aortic repair treatment, results are promising. Further randomized controlled studies may be necessary to assess long-term effectiveness of endovascular aortic repair treatment in this disease.

Recognition and assessment of dementia in primary care

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 438-443
Author(s):  
Karen Harrison-Dening
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Primary Care Setting ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Memory Assessment ◽  
Neurology Clinic

While patients diagnosed with dementia will require management from specialist neurology clinics, practice nurses play an important role in their health. Karen Harrison-Dening explains what assessment tools are available for patients with particular health needs The majority of patients are diagnosed in a memory assessment service or a neurology clinic. However, early detection of a possible dementia is often done in a primary care setting. Dementia diagnosis has been seen by some as a ‘tick-box exercise’ but there are significant benefits to patients and their families when screening or testing for dementia is carried out early, especially in supporting the patients management of other comorbid or long-term conditions. Nurses working in primary care have a key role in identifying patients who may have the signs and symptoms of dementia by enabling them to access a timely diagnosis.

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