scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer assessment in primary care: a qualitative study of GP views

BJGP Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. BJGPO.2021.0056
Author(s):  
Stephanie Archer ◽  
Natalia Calanzani ◽  
Stephanie Honey ◽  
Margaret Johnson ◽  
Richard Neal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Remote Consultations ◽  
Urgent Action

BackgroundEarly diagnosis is key to improve cancer outcomes, and most cancers are diagnosed in primary care after initial symptomatic presentation. Emerging evidence suggests an increase in avoidable cancer deaths owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.AimTo understand GPs’ views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical assessment of possible cancer.Design & settingGPs were purposively sampled based on age, sex, and years of experience. Interviews were conducted via Zoom or Microsoft Teams in August and September 2020. Transcribed recordings were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. The Model of Pathways to Treatment guided the analysis.MethodA qualitative semi-structured interview study with GPs from the East of England.ResultsThree themes were identified across 23 interviews on GP views on the impact of: (1) patient help-seeking on symptoms at presentation; (2) remote consultations on managing patients with possible cancer symptoms; and (3) the COVID-19 pandemic on triaging and referring patients with possible cancer. There were positive changes to practice, but concerns were raised about the adequacy of remote consultations for assessing symptoms. Some GPs reported delayed cancer diagnoses, and uncertainty about how to manage backlog in referrals.ConclusionThis study provides new evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on assessing symptomatic patients. Recommendations are made to inform safe and effective primary care clinical practice. Urgent action is needed to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure appropriate symptomatic assessment now and in the future.

New combined hormonal contraception guideline and its impact on prescribing practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 332-337
Author(s):  
Claire Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Prescribing Practice ◽  
Combined Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Reproductive Healthcare ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence

The Clinical Effectiveness Unit of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) regularly develops and updates national clinical guidelines. The most recent updated guideline on combined hormonal contraception details the new evidence and suggests recommendations for clinical practice based on this evidence. This guideline will influence clinical and prescribing practice within the speciality of sexual and reproductive health and primary care. This article will critically analyse the impact this updated guideline will have on prescribing practice and will evaluate how the implementation of the recommendations will be influenced by the multidisciplinary team.

The Perspective of Older Men With Depression on Suicide and Its Prevention in Primary Care

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Depression Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.

WikiRecs primary care: developing rapid recommendations for primary care through effective collaboration between systematic review and guideline teams

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697085
Author(s):  
Trudy Bekkering ◽  
Bert Aertgeerts ◽  
Ton Kuijpers ◽  
Mieke Vermandere ◽  
Jako Burgers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Urinary Stones ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Review Team ◽  
New Evidence

BackgroundThe WikiRecs evidence summaries and recommendations for clinical practice are developed using trustworthy methods. The process is triggered by studies that may potentially change practice, aiming at implementing new evidence into practice fast.AimTo share our first experiences developing WikiRecs for primary care and to reflect on the possibilities and pitfalls of this method.MethodIn March 2017, we started developing WikiRecs for primary health care to speed up the process of making potentially practice-changing evidence in clinical practice. Based on a well-structured question a systematic review team summarises the evidence using the GRADE approach. Subsequently, an international panel of primary care physicians, methodological experts and patients formulates recommendations for clinical practice. The patient representatives are involved as full guideline panel members. The final recommendations and supporting evidence are disseminated using various platforms, including MAGICapp and scientific journals.ResultsWe are developing WikiRecs on two topics: alpha-blockers for urinary stones and supervised exercise therapy for intermittent claudication. We did not face major problems but will reflect on issues we had to solve so far. We anticipate having the first WikiRecs for primary care available at the end of 2017.ConclusionThe WikiRecs process is a promising method — that is still evolving — to rapidly synthesise and bring new evidence into primary care practice, while adhering to high quality standards.

scholarly journals “In my age, we didn’t have the computers”: Using a complexity lens to understand uptake of diabetes eHealth innovations into primary care—A qualitative study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254157
Author(s):  
Catherine H. Yu ◽  
Maggie McCann ◽  
Joanna Sale
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
The Impact

Background Shared decision-making is a central component of person-centred care and can be facilitated with the use of patient decision aids (PtDA). Barriers and facilitators to shared decision-making and PtDA use have been identified, yet integration of PtDAs into clinical care is limited. We sought to understand why, using the concepts of complexity science. Methods We conducted 60-minute in-depth interviews with patients with diabetes, primary care physicians, nurses and dietitians who had participated in a randomized controlled trial examining the impact of MyDiabetesPlan (an online goal-setting PtDA). Relying on a qualitative description approach, we used a semi-structured interview guide to explore participants’ experiences with using MyDiabetesPlan and how it was integrated into the clinical encounter and clinical care. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim, then coded independently by two analysts. Findings 17 interviews were conducted (5 physicians, 3 nurses, 2 dietitians, 7 patients). Two themes were developed: (1) MyDiabetesPlan appeared to empower patients by providing tailored patient-important information which engaged them in decision-making and self-care. Patients’ use of MyDiabetesPlan was however impacted by their competing medical conditions, other life priorities and socioeconomic context. (2) MyDiabetesPlan emphasized to clinicians a patient-centred approach that helped patients assume greater ownership for their care. Clinicians’ use of MyDiabetesPlan was impacted by pre-existing clinical tools/workplans, workflow, technical issues, clinic administrative logistics and support, and time. How clinicians adapted to these barriers influenced the degree to which MyDiabetesPlan was integrated into care. Conclusions A complexity lens (that considers relationships between multiple components of a complex system) may yield additional insights to optimize integration of PtDA into clinical care. A complexity lens recognizes that shared decision-making does not occur in the vacuum of a clinical dyad (patient and clinician), and will enable us to develop a family of interventions that address the whole process, rather than individual components. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02379078.

The Subjective Experience of Word-Finding Difficulties in People With Aphasia: A Thematic Analysis of Interview Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mackenzie E. Fama ◽  
Erin Lemonds ◽  
Galya Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Word Finding ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
General Experience ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Anomia, or difficulty with naming and word finding, is a pervasive deficit among individuals with aphasia. There is an extensive literature on the mechanisms underlying anomia and on approaches to treatment, but very little is known about the subjective experience of anomia during day-to-day life. Method As part of a larger testing battery, 53 adults with poststroke aphasia took part in a novel, structured interview that included an open-ended question about the general experience of anomia: “Do you ever know what you want to say, but you can't say it out loud? Please describe that feeling.” Video-recorded interview responses were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis, an iterative, data-driven process that categorizes interview data into common themes. Results Five main themes emerged among the data from 37 participants who produced adequate responses for use in thematic analysis: strategies to cope with or compensate for anomia, comments on awareness of the level of breakdown (e.g., “I have an idea, but can't get the right words”), negative emotions, impact on relationships, and changes in frequency over time. Conclusions Participants showed strong awareness of anomia and its implications, demonstrating an ability to describe their language breakdown, identify relevant strategies to compensate and/or cope, and acknowledge the impact of anomia on their emotions and social interactions. This patient perspective may serve as a valuable supplement to information typically gained via objective language assessments. Clinicians and researchers may wish to consider incorporating similar subjective measures during assessment and treatment planning. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15032643

Caregivers’ Experiences With Food Insecurity Screening and Impact of Food Insecurity Resources

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (14) ◽  
pp. 1484-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. Orr ◽  
Christina Chauvenet ◽  
Holly Ozgun ◽  
Claudia Pamanes-Duran ◽  
Kori B. Flower
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Primary Care Setting ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

We explored caregivers’ experiences with food insecurity screening in a primary care setting and the impact of resources provided. English- and Spanish-speaking food insecure caregivers of children aged 1 to 5 years were recruited. In-depth individual semistructured interviews were conducted (n = 17) eliciting caregivers’ experiences with food insecurity, clinic screening, and resources provided. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews were double-coded and thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. All caregivers described multiple and repeat experiences with food insecurity. Food insecurity screening was acceptable, but families were not always connected with resources. Caregivers described WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) as the most commonly used program to address food insecurity and infrequently utilized other food insecurity resources. Screening for food insecurity in primary care was generally well accepted by this sample of food insecure caregivers. Future studies are needed to determine how to improve connecting resources with families most in need.

scholarly journals Inequalities in general practice remote consultations: A systematic review

BJGP Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. BJGPO.2021.0040
Author(s):  
Ruth Parker ◽  
Emma Figures ◽  
Charlotte Paddison ◽  
James Matheson ◽  
David Blane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Remote Consultations

BackgroundCOVID-19 has led to rapid and widespread use of remote consultations in general practice, but the health inequalities impact remains unknown.AimTo explore the impact of remote consultations in general practice compared to face-to-face consultations on utilisation and clinical outcomes across socio-economic and disadvantaged groups.Design & settingSystematic reviewMethodWe undertook an electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science from inception to June 2020. We included studies which compared remote consultations to face-to-face consultations in primary care and reported outcomes by PROGRESS Plus criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Data was synthesised narratively.ResultsBased on 13 studies, exploring telephone and internet-based consultations, we found that telephone consultations were used by younger working age people, the very old and non-immigrants, with internet-based consultations more likely to be used by younger people. Women consistently used more remote forms of consulting than men. Socio-economic and ethnicity findings were mixed, with weak evidence that patients from more affluent areas were more likely to use internet-based communication. Remote consultations appeared to help patients with opioid dependence remain engaged with primary care. No studies reported on the impact on quality of care or clinical outcomes.ConclusionRemote consultations in general practice are likely to be used more by younger working people, non-immigrants, the elderly and women, with internet-based consultations more by younger, affluent and educated groups. Wide-spread use of remote consultations should be treated with caution until the inequalities impact on clinical outcomes and quality of care is known.

scholarly journals Does de-implementation of low-value care impact the patient-clinician relationship? A mixed methods study

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle S. Rockwell ◽  
Kenan C. Michaels ◽  
John W. Epling
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Primary Care Clinician ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Broad Concept ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The importance of reducing low-value care (LVC) is increasingly recognized, but the impact of de-implementation on the patient-clinician relationship is not well understood. This mixed-methods study explored the impact of LVC de-implementation on the patient-clinician relationship. Methods Adult primary care patients from a large Virginia health system volunteered to participate in a survey (n = 232) or interview (n = 24). Participants completed the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9) after reading a vignette about a clinician declining to provide a low-value service: antibiotics for acute sinusitis (LVC-antibiotics); screening EKG (LVC-EKG); screening vitamin D test (LVC-vitamin D); or an alternate vignette about a high-value service, and imagining that their own primary care clinician had acted in the same manner. A different sample of participants was asked to imagine that their own primary care clinician did not order LVC-antibiotics or LVC-EKG and then respond to semi-structured interview questions. Outcomes data included participant demographics, PDRQ-9 scores (higher score = greater relationship integrity), and content analysis of transcribed interviews. Differences in PDRQ-9 scores were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Data were integrated for analysis and interpretation. Results Although participants generally agreed with the vignette narrative (not providing LVC), many demonstrated difficulty comprehending the broad concept of LVC and potential harms. The topic triggered memories of negative experiences with healthcare (typically poor-quality care, not necessarily LVC). The most common recommendation for reducing LVC was for patients to take greater responsibility for their own health. Most participants believed that their relationship with their clinician would not be negatively impacted by denial of LVC because they trusted their clinician’s guidance. Participants emphasized that trusted clinicians are those who listen to them, spend time with them, and offer understandable advice. Some felt that not providing LVC would actually increase their trust in their clinician. Similar PDRQ-9 scores were observed for LVC-antibiotics (38.9), LVC-EKG (37.5), and the alternate vignette (36.4), but LVC-vitamin D was associated with a significantly lower score (31.2) (p < 0.05). Conclusions In this vignette-based study, we observed minimal impact of LVC de-implementation on the patient-clinician relationship, although service-specific differences surfaced. Further situation-based research is needed to confirm study findings.

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