The New General Practice Contract and Reform of Primary Care in the UK

2016 ◽  
pp. 191-202
Keyword(s):  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (691) ◽  
pp. e102-e110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verity Wainwright ◽  
Lis Cordingley ◽  
Carolyn A Chew-Graham ◽  
Nav Kapur ◽  
Jenny Shaw ◽  
...  

BackgroundPeople bereaved by suicide are a vulnerable group, also at risk of dying by suicide. The importance of postvention support (intervention after suicide) has recently been highlighted; however, little is known about the support needs of parents bereaved by suicide in the UK, and the role played by general practice.AimTo explore the perspectives, experiences, and support needs of parents bereaved by suicide.Design and settingThis was a qualitative study, with semi-structured interviews conducted between 2012 and 2014 in the north of England and the Midlands, with parents bereaved by their son or daughter’s suicide.MethodInterviews explored parents’ experiences of suicide bereavement following the death of their son or daughter, with a focus on their experiences of support from primary care. Interviews were analysed thematically using constant comparison.ResultsTwenty-three interviews were conducted. Three themes were identified from the data: the importance of not feeling alone; perceived barriers to accessing support; and the need for signposting for additional support. Some parents reported having experienced good support from their general practice; others described a number of barriers to accessing help, including triage processes. Primary care was considered to be an important avenue of support but GPs were often perceived as uncertain how to respond. The need for information, signposting to avenues of support, and the helpfulness of group support were also highlighted.ConclusionParents believed it was important that people working in general practice have an awareness of suicide bereavement and understanding of their needs, including knowledge of where to direct people for further support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 519-525
Author(s):  
Alyesha Proctor

Background: Frontline paramedics are increasingly attending to non-emergency problems and calls that could be managed by a primary care provider. Alongside this, there is a growing pressure to manage patients at home or use an alternative care pathway and reduce hospital conveyance. Student paramedic training, including both placement and taught elements at university, should therefore reflect this. However, placement opportunities for student paramedics in primary care settings is variable across the UK. Aim: To explore student paramedics' views on incorporating a placement within general practice as part of their degree and its effects on their learning and development as an autonomous paramedic. Method: A small pedagogic study as part of a postgraduate certificate in academic practice for higher education, involving a case study, qualitative approach using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, was carried out. Findings: Student paramedics feel that incorporating a placement in general practice as part of their degree will significantly help in their learning and development as autonomous paramedics. Specifically, they feel it: will help them understand the role of the GP and what the GP expects of them; will help them to focus their assessments and improve confidence in decisions not to convey patients; may lead to better knowledge of alternative care pathways; and, finally, may provide an insight into the role of the paramedic in general practice as a future career opportunity. There are a few reservations about whether students would be able to use the skills and knowledge gained in this setting, as they feel they do not have access to the tools or the authority in a frontline ambulance service. Students would prefer to have a placement in a GP surgery in the final year of their university degree. Conclusion: Placement within a GP surgery for student paramedics should be included as part of a paramedic science degree as a priority. This is necessary, particularly given the changing role of the contemporary paramedic who attends to non-emergency problems.


BJGP Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen17X101217
Author(s):  
Simon Feist-Wilson ◽  
Neil Heron

BackgroundGeneral practice in the UK is ‘in crisis’. With 20% of GP workload relating to musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, an orthopaedic Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS) could help support assessment of these patients in primary care, alleviating pressure on GPs. However, practitioners in ICATS must be trained appropriately to ensure its effectiveness.AimThis evaluation aimed to identify the training levels of doctors in one Northern Ireland orthopaedic ICATS system, what their future training needs are, and suggestions for how this service could be improved to better support general practice.Design & settingA questionnaire study in an orthopaedic ICATS, Northern Ireland.MethodAll seven doctors working within the Southern Trust orthopaedic ICATS were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their training and experience in MSK medicine. Their views on how the service could be improved were elicited.ResultsSix of seven questionnaires were returned. All responders were Members of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP), while five of six held a Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine (Dip SEM). Half of responders suggested that MSK ultrasound could be beneficial within ICATS. However, it was viewed that extensive training would be required before paediatric MSK patients could be included.ConclusionHigh levels of training and experience were reported by responders, suggesting ICATS provides a high-level MSK service. Furthermore, it was noted that inclusion of MSK ultrasound and paediatric patients into this service could be beneficial but not without undertaking further training. With appropriate funding and support the ICATS service has the potential to expand the clinical services it offers to general practice, helping to reduce work pressures in primary care at this time of crisis for UK general practice.


Author(s):  
Andrew Baldwin ◽  
Nina Hjelde ◽  
Charlotte Goumalatsou ◽  
Gil Myers

This chapter explores primary care and general practice. It outlines primary care (general practice in the UK and worldwide, primary care, intermediate care and self-care, primary health care teams, and pressures of primary care), consulting and certifying (the consultation and patient centred care, consultation models, complex decision making, managing uncertainty, what to do for the best, continuity of care, home visits, telephone consulting, chronic disease, approaching minor illness, medically unexplained symptoms, time off work and fit notes, fitness to drive, fitness to fly, UK benefits, certification of death) health and healthy living (health and social class, social class and health inequalities, prevention, screening, health education, smoking cessation, managing alcohol and drug misuse, managing obesity, managing sleep problems, exercise, healthy eating and alternative medicine, domestic violence), and practice management and performance (GPs as business managers and commissioners, independent practice vs commercial companies, clinical governance, significant events, audit and complaints, appraisal, revalidation and performance, prescribing and referring, patient groups).


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (676) ◽  
pp. e783-e793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby Helliwell ◽  
Sara Muller ◽  
Samantha L Hider ◽  
Irena Zwierska ◽  
Sarah Lawton ◽  
...  

BackgroundPolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is one of the most common inflammatory arthritic disorders seen in older individuals. Most patients with PMR are diagnosed and managed exclusively in general practice, yet primary care-focused research is lacking.AimTo identify and explore the challenges of diagnosis and management of PMR in general practice.Design and settingA multi-methods study in UK primary care.MethodThe multi-methods study comprised two complementary studies: a national questionnaire survey of 5000 randomly selected GPs from across the UK; and a qualitative semi-structured telephone interview study of UK GPs. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyse questionnaire data. A thematic approach was used to analyse verbatim transcripts of the GP interviews.ResultsIn total, 1249 (25%) GPs responded to the questionnaire survey. From this total, 24 GPs were interviewed for the qualitative study. Features used by GPs to identify PMR were largely in line with current guidance. Diagnosis was found to be challenging, with GPs relying heavily on response to treatment with glucocorticoids. Investigations advised by current British PMR guidance to attempt to rule out other causes for symptoms were not routinely requested. Concerns surrounding ongoing treatment with glucocorticoids were widespread in relation to both potential adverse effects and ongoing monitoring.ConclusionFocused strategies to investigate and therefore exclude non-PMR differential diagnoses are required for patients with new-onset suspected PMR symptoms. Additionally, ongoing active review for alternative causes for symptoms as well as vigilance for treatment complications needs to be implemented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (685) ◽  
pp. e578-e585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Spooner ◽  
Louise Laverty ◽  
Kath Checkland

BackgroundThe capacity of the UK GP workforce has not kept pace with increasing primary care workloads. Although many doctors successfully complete GP specialty training programmes, some do not progress to work in NHS general practice.AimThis article explores the training experiences and perceptions of newly qualified GPs to understand how their education, training, and early experiences of work influence their career plans.Design and settingA qualitative study of doctors in their final year of GP training (ST3) and within 5 years of completion of GP training (F5).MethodParticipants across England were recruited through training programmes, First5 groups, and publicity using social media and networks. Open narrative interviews were conducted with individuals and focus groups. Audiorecorded interviews were transcribed, and a thematic analysis was supported by NVivo and situational analysis mapping techniques.ResultsFifteen participants engaged in individual interviews and 10 focus groups were carried out with a total of 63 participants. Most doctors reported that training programmes had prepared them to deal confidently with most aspects of routine clinical GP work. However, they felt underprepared for the additional roles of running a practice and in their understanding of wider NHS organisational structures. Doctors wished to avoid unacceptably heavy workloads and voiced concerns about the longer-term sustainability of general practice.ConclusionStrategies to attract and retain enough GPs to support delivery of comprehensive primary care should consider how doctors’ early career experiences influence their career intentions. A coherent plan is needed to improve their preparation and increase confidence that they can achieve a professionally satisfying, effective, and sustainable career in NHS general practice.


Author(s):  
Charles Holden ◽  
Duncan Shrewsbury

The number of people who identify as transgender or non-binary in the UK is increasing. The RCGP has identified that many transgender patients’ experience of healthcare is poor, and that general practitioners may lack experience in the assessment, referral and management of patients with gender dysphoria. This article seeks to cover the key topics in the general practice training curriculum relating to the care of transgender and non-binary adults to allow trainees to practice confidently, safely and compassionately within this field.


Author(s):  
Chantal Simon ◽  
Hazel Everitt ◽  
Françoise van Dorp ◽  
Nazia Hussain ◽  
Emma Nash ◽  
...  

This chapter in the Oxford Handbook of General Practice describes general practice in the UK, including what general practice is, how to become a general practitioner (GP) in the UK, education in primary care, appraisal and revalidation, working arrangements, career options, good medical practice, the multidisciplinary team, Foundation doctors, stress in general practice, organizations important to general practice, and practice in other countries.


Drug Safety ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saga Johansson ◽  
Mari-Ann Wallander ◽  
Francisco J. de Abajo ◽  
Luis Alberto García Rodríguez

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Michael B. King

In June 1985 a group of researchers involved in the study of alcohol problems in general practice in the UK met informally in York for discussion and exchange of ideas. The meeting was arranged under the auspices of Professor David Robinson of the Addiction Research Centre, Institute for Health Studies of the University of Hull. The group included GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists, and other related research workers.


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