Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

The Royal Society of Medicine Press has published new Primary Care Guidelines for the Management of Females with Epilepsy

These guidelines were produced following a multidisciplinary consensus meeting of epilepsy experts and cover such topics as the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, preconception counselling and the management of epilepsy during and after pregnancy.

3 Nov 2004

Influenza-associated morbidity and mortality increase with age, especially for individuals with high-risk conditions

A study from the Netherlands suggests that elderly persons who receive a yearly influenza vaccination have reduced risk of death from all causes, according to a study in the November 3 issue of JAMA.

3 Nov 2004

Treatment sometimes absent for children of mothers with mental illness

Children who have a mother diagnosed with a mental illness are at risk of psychiatric and behavioral problems, yet these children often fail to receive needed services, a new University of Michigan study indicates.

2 Nov 2004

Hispanic children are less likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Hispanic children are less likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder during primary care visits than white or black children are, according to a new study that looks at children's physician visits nationwide.

29 Oct 2004

Public health facing calamity, say medics

The warning from public health leaders comes as ministers prepare to unveil the biggest public health strategy to date, targeting smoking, obesity and sexual health.

29 Oct 2004

Training of primary care physicians helps increase referrals and cardiac rhythm management device sales

The cardiac rhythm management (CRM) market is poised for phenomenal growth with about 22 million cardiac patients worldwide and more people dying of sudden cardiac arrest than from lung/breast cancer and AIDS combined.

28 Oct 2004

Gastric acid-suppressive medications may increase risk of developing pneumonia

Individuals who use gastric acid-suppressive medications may be at an elevated risk of developing community-acquired pneumonia, according to an article in the October 27 issue of JAMA.

28 Oct 2004

Call for a Senate Inquiry into the pharmacy industry in Australia

With the current Pharmacy Agreement expiring on 30 June 2005 and the current Senate configuration in place until the same date, Dr Glasson said the timing is perfect for a comprehensive review of the protected environment in which the pharmacies operate.

26 Oct 2004

Agreement reached on new community pharmacy contract

Patients in the UK will gain a better service from their local pharmacist as Government plans for a more flexible, modernised service moved a step further towards implementation, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.

25 Oct 2004

Australian Medical Association slams pharmacy guild

Australian Medical Association President, Dr Bill Glasson, today branded moves by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to have pharmacists usurp some of the core public health functions of community GPs as mischievous, irresponsible and a poor prescription for Australian patients.

25 Oct 2004

Awareness helps primary doctors prevent patients' suicide

Although few of their patients commit suicide in a year, primary care physicians should use office visits to note possible risk factors for suicidal behavior, bolstered by candid discussions if needed, according to a review of recent research.

18 Oct 2004

People who use their computers to find health information often wind up in worse condition than if they had listened to their doctor

Using interactive computer tools does improve the medical knowledge of people with diabetes, asthma or other chronic conditions, and does provide them with positive feelings of social support, according to researchers reviewing 28 randomized controlled trials involving 4,042 participants.

18 Oct 2004

Geriatricians call for creative and wide-reaching solutions to end-of-life care for patients with dementia

Three University of Chicago geriatricians are calling for creative and wide-reaching solutions to the problem of sub-optimal end-of-life care for patients with dementia.

14 Oct 2004

New Jersey to receive additional flu vaccine

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) received information on October 5, 2004 that, due to manufacturing problems in the United Kingdom, the United States will have only one-half of the expected supply of the influence vaccine available for this year’s flu season.

13 Oct 2004

Portion control or planned exercise induces greatest weight loss

The journal, Obesity Research, today published an article on the results of a 24-month federally funded obesity study led by Summa Health System researchers in Akron, Ohio.

13 Oct 2004

BMA Response to NAO report on improving emergency care in England

A&E departments have worked exceptionally hard to bring down waiting times for patients and the results of this are evident in the National Audit Office report on emergency care.

13 Oct 2004

GPs need more help from PCOs to be ready for Freedom of Information Act

GPs are looking to primary care organisations (PCOs) to help them meet their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act that comes into force next year.

13 Oct 2004

Results do not suggest widespread anthrax antibiotic abuse in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks

Prescriptions for antibiotics that could be taken in advance to prevent against anthrax were uncommon among concerned patients after September 11, 2001 and the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks, according to an article in the October 11 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine.

11 Oct 2004

GP registrar training budget remains in place

The BMA's GP Committee for Wales (GPC Wales), the Welsh Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Department for Post Graduate Studies for Wales jointly welcomed the Welsh Assembly Governments assurances that there would be no reductions in the GP Registrar training budget for Wales during this financial year.

11 Oct 2004

Surgery for extremely obese patients may be more effective for weight reduction

A new report issued today by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concludes that surgery for extremely obese patients who have tried and failed to lose weight with exercise and diet may be more effective for weight reduction.

10 Oct 2004