Attitudes Of General Practitioners Research Articles

The Evaluation of Dentists’ Awareness and Knowledge in Turkey Regarding Bisphosphonates

Aim: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are inorganic pyrophosphate analogs used for the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of general dental practitioners (GDP), specialist trainees (ST), and specialists (S) in Turkey toward medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and to optimize future training programs in this field.Materials and Methods: A self-report questionnaire consisting of 7 questions about demographic data, knowledge about BPs, MRONJ and treatment modalities was prepared and send to the members of Turkish Dental Association via email. Results: A total of 209 participants were included in this survey. The mean age of the ST group was significantly lower than the mean ages of the GDP and S groups (P= 0.003, P= 0.038). GDP are less likely to think of BPs administration and radiotherapy treatment than S or ST upon observation of an exposed bone in the head-and-neck region (P=0.048, P=0.008). In comparison to the S and ST groups, the GDP group displayed less knowledge regarding the radiological and intraoral examination of patients undergoing BP therapy (P= 0.034).Conclusion: The increasing awareness of dentists about usage and side effects of BPs is important for preventing MRONJ. The GDP group displayed significantly less knowledge regarding the radiological and intraoral examinations of patients undergoing BP therapy. Greater efforts are required to increase education and knowledge of MRONJ and BPs among dental practitioners.

General practitioner attitudes towards systems-level opioid prescribing interventions: A pooled secondary qualitative analysis

Several Australian systems-level initiatives have been implemented to reduce opioid overprescribing. The aim of this study was to explore general practitioner (GP) attitudes towards these interventions. This secondary qualitative analysis used pooled interview data (collected in 2018 and 2019), recoded using thematic analysis and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation model of behaviour change (COM-B model). Participants were professionally registered GPs or general practice registrars from Victoria and New South Wales. Fifty-seven GPs and general practice registrars were included. Participants expressed positive attitudes towards real-time prescription monitoring and codeine up-scheduling. High-prescriber 'nudge' letters sent by the government were perceived to be overly paternalistic and as potentially threatening to the prescribing of adequate analgesia. Guidelines and education were considered useful in principle, but were not commonly used. Systems-level interventions aimed at reducing opioid overprescribing by GPs may be more successful if they partner with GPs and consider prescriber motivation a prerequisite to capacity to change. It may be beneficial for new interventions to target motivation beyond single mechanisms.

Anatomy Textbooks ‐ Mind the Gap

Introduction and objective The aim of this study was to determine if and how diversity and variation are represented in iconic, authoritative anatomy texts used to prepare students for contemporary clinical practice.The contemporary issue of labiaplasty, a new and increasingly commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure, provided a focal point for this study. The anatomical criteria behind this surgery are problematic because of confusion between “normal labia” and “idealised labia”.1 Valid and accurate information about normal labial diversity is critical to referring practitioners and the gynaecologists and plastic surgeons performing these procedures. Materials and method A sample of historic, multiple edition and popular contemporary textbooks as well as the peer-reviewed literature were examined for a specific set of features to determine similarities and differences in descriptions and depictions of the labia (including information about normal structural variation and function). Results 39 of 41 editions of Gray's Anatomy, 4 of 8 editions of Buchanan's Manual of Anatomy and contemporary editions of Moore's Clinical Anatomy, Last's Anatomy and Gray's Anatomy for Students, together with over 100 peer reviewed journal articles were examined. Despite expectations that the anatomy textbooks used in medical training would be authoritative and supportive of contemporary clinical practice, they covered basic anatomy of the vulva only, and information on function, normal diversity and changes with sexual activity, childbirth and aging is not included. They do not reflect recent population data and have remained rigid and unresponsive to the concurrent proliferation of social polemics.2 Conclusion Contemporary anatomy courses using popular contemporary anatomy texts may be graduating doctors with a knowledge gap about normal genital diversity. This gap would have been less problematic in the pre-labiaplasty era but now leaves the practitioners insufficiently informed about normal female genital anatomy to competently assess and advise the increasing number of women and girls requesting labiaplasty.3 Anatomical texts and resources need to recognise normal variation and represent new evidence base so that anatomy courses support our clinical colleagues and are not merely hurdles for students to pass. References Clerico, C., Lari, A., Mojallal, A., & Boucher, F. (2017). “Anatomy and aesthetics of the labia minora: the ideal vulva?” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 41(3), 714-719. Hayes, J. A., & Temple-Smith, M. J. (2020). “What is the anatomical basis of labiaplasty? A review of normative datasets for female genital anatomy.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13298 Simonis, M., Manocha, R., & Ong, J. J. (2016). “Female genital cosmetic surgery: a cross-sectional survey exploring knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners.” BMJ open, 6(9).

General practitioners maintain a focus on blood pressure management rather than absolute cardiovascular disease risk management.

Absolute cardiovascular disease (aCVD) risk assessment is recommended in CVD prevention guidelines. Yet, General Practitioners (GPs) often focus on single risk factors, including blood pressure (BP). Pathology services may be suitable to undertake high-quality automated unobserved BP (AOBP) measurement and aCVD risk assessment. This study explored GP attitudes towards AOBP measurement via pathology services and the role of BP in aCVD risk management. A brief survey was completed, after which a focus group (n=8 GPs) and interviews (n=10 GPs) explored attitudes to AOBP and aCVD risk via pathology services with an example pathology report discussed. Verbatim transcripts were thematically coded. GPs predominantly used doctor-measured BP despite low levels of confidence. High BP measured by AOBP reported with aCVD risk via pathology services, would prompt a follow-up response. However, GPs focused on BP management. GPs were concerned about AOBP equivalency to routine BP measurements. After protocol explanation, GPs reported AOBP could value-add to care delivery. GPs lacked familiarity of AOBP and maintained a focus on BP management in the context of absolute CVD risk. Targeted education on AOBP and BP management as part of absolute CVD risk is needed to support guideline-directed care in practice.

General practitioners must acquire skills to communicate with child with Autism Spectrum Disorder to regain their values and role in the follow-up – phenomenological study

Objective To understand the perceptions and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) regarding children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Design Phenomenological qualitative study. Setting Three focus groups, clinical settings. Subjects French GPs. Main outcome measures 22 GPs took part in the study divided among three focus groups. They were volunteers to participate. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory data analysis, completed with a semiopragmatic analysis. Results Representing autism as a strange disorder in the doctor–patient relationship, GPs perceive a loss of sensory contact with the child with ASD that prevents the usual professional relationship between doctor and patient. They disengage themselves from monitoring the subject, concentrating on supporting the family. According to them, their role was to refer the patient to a specialist in the case of clinical intuition, but they have several reasons to give themselves time, all the more so because once the diagnosis is made, they lose sight of the patient and their place in the care pathway. GPs expressed the need to acquire skills and strategies to communicate with the autistic child to recover their role and values. Conclusion GPs are disconcerted by the idea of communicating with children with ASD, as it takes them out of their usual professional benchmarks. They need communication tools that enable them to regain their role and relational value of the patient-centred approach. Beyond this, the question of the ‘ethics of care’ of the patient with a joint attention disorder is raised. KEY POINTS GPs are disconcerted with the idea of communicating with children with ASD. GPs need communication tools that enable them to regain their role and relational value of the patient-centred approach. The question of the ‘ethics of care’ of the patient with a joint attention disorder is raised.

Primary Care Dentists' management of permanent dentition traumatic dental injuries in 7- to 16-year-olds: A sequential mixed-methods study.

Primary care dentists play a pivotal role in the management of traumatic dental injuries in children, despite little evidence on the barriers they face in providing care. The aim of this study was to explore and contextualize the knowledge and attitudes of general dental practitioners regarding their management of permanent dentition traumatic dental injuries in children aged 7-16years old. A two-phase sequential mixed-methods study included a questionnaire that was disseminated to all 619 primary care dentists, identified via a triangulated sampling strategy, based across the north-east of England (Phase I). Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U- and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's correlation and chi-square test. Multivariate factor analysis, with principal components extraction, was used to test between multiple ordinal variables. Respondents were invited to a face-to-face or telephone semi-structured interview (Phase II). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Primary care dentists were less confident in managing complex dental trauma. Inadequate financial remuneration was the main reason for not providing care, often prompting a referral to the local dental hospital. This was more apparent for those who qualified before 2000. More recently qualified dentists felt the long-term costs, related to traumatic dental injuries, were insufficiently remunerated. Most still provided emergency management, irrespective of remuneration, as long as they had the requisite knowledge and skills. Four major themes arose: impact of traumatic dental injuries on patients, parents and primary care dentists; barriers to providing treatment; educational opportunities for primary care dentists; and interactions between primary and secondary care services. There is high confidence in managing simple traumatic dental injuries but less for complex injuries. A lack of sufficient financial remuneration associated with the long-term management of dental trauma was the main barrier for dentists to manage these cases.

126 A Student Pilot for A Feasibility Study of the Theoretical 3S Trial (SPFT3S): GP and Ethics Committee Members Questionnaire

Abstract Introduction Emerging research suggests that statin use for primary prevention in people without diabetes aged 75 and older has no benefit. This study aims to determine the feasibility of the theoretical Stop Statin Study (3S), a double-blind randomised controlled trial carried out in general practice, which would test this hypothesis. 50% of trial patients would stop taking statins for 5 years in an event driven study. The questionnaires aim to identify the attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) and ethics committee members (ECMs) regarding stopping statins for 5 years in patients aged 75 and older without diabetes or history of cardiovascular disease and their willingness to allow patients to participate in the 3S study. Method Questionnaires comprised of 6 questions were designed. 4 students distributed the questionnaire and it was completed by 19 GPs based at 8 practices in the North-East of England. 31 ECMs (12 expert and 19 lay) responded by email. Results 95% of GPs who completed the survey would agree to their patients participating in the theoretical study with 47% of GPs indicating that their willingness to participate in the study is patient dependent. 95% of GPs would also consider stopping statins in this population group if sufficient research had been carried out or if the guidelines were changed. 42% of GPs have a negative attitude to prescribing statins in this population group. All the ECMs would approve the study, citing over-prescribing and polypharmacy as their reason. Conclusions The majority of GPs will participate in the theoretical 3S study, if their patients are willing to participate. There is already a negative perception amongst GPs towards the use of statins in elderly people without disease. The 3S study appears to be feasible from the GP and ethics perspective but would require a larger feasibility study.

Attitudes of students, residents and general practitioners towards vaccination

The study presented in the article was performed at the Department of Family Medicine of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov. The aim of study was to assess the attitude of general practitioners, residents, and students towards vaccination.
 Materials and methods. The study involved 22 students, 14 residents and 21 general practitioners. Participants completed a questionnaire that included questions about self-assessment of the level of knowledge in the field of vaccination, attitude towards vaccination, opinion about its effectiveness, etc. Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and MedCalc 11.5.00 (Medcalc Software, Oostende). The Chi-square test was used to assess intergroup differences.
 Results and discussion. 61% of the participants rated their own level of knowledge in the field of vaccine prevention as good, 21% as satisfactory and 5% as excellent. The most confident in their level of knowledge were students, in the second place residents and in the third place doctors (p 0.05). 90% of respondents identified their attitude to vaccination as positive. 95.5% of students, 85.7% of residents and 76.2% of doctors noted that vaccination is necessary (mandatory). The effectiveness of vaccination is considered high by 86% of participants. When asked whether the respondents do preventive vaccinations for themselves and their children, the majority chose the options Yes, within the national calendar plus additional and all within the national calendar (51% and 39%, respectively).
 Conclusion. The attitude of the surveyed doctors, residents and students to vaccination is mostly positive, the majority of respondents assess the effectiveness of vaccination as high. Most respondents are vaccinated in accordance with the national vaccination schedule, a large proportion of respondents also do vaccinations that are not included in the national schedule. Almost all respondents recommend preventive vaccinations to patients.

General practitioners’ views of advance care planning: a questionnaire-based study

Planning for end of life (EOL) care has become an important consideration for doctors and patients in the context of longer life expectancy in most high-income countries. Advance care plans (ACPs) allow individuals to make plans for future healthcare practices for when they no longer have the capacity to make such decisions. It has been suggested that general practitioners (GPs) have the ideal relationship with patients to facilitate this process. However, the uptake of ACPs still remains low, prompting the need to understand the views of GPs regarding ACPs. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of GPs regarding ACPs and to identify barriers in implementing ACPs into practice. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with GPs in county Cork and Kerry. A questionnaire was adapted from two previously published studies, piloted and posted to GPs. Two hundred thirty-seven questionnaires were posted. Seventy-five questionnaires were completed, representing a 31.7% response rate. Findings revealed that GPs have positive attitudes towards ACPS, although there is an inadequate understanding of ACPs. In particular, GPs are challenged by defining the right moment to initiate EOL discussions, their patients' unawareness of ACPs, and lack of time during consultations. In order to improve their implementation, workshops and courses should be developed to increase GPs' knowledge and confidence. Additionally, the healthcare system should be adapted, supporting GPs to facilitate these important discussions to take place.

Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of general practitioners and general practice nurses regarding influenza vaccination for young children.

Annual vaccination is effective in reducing the harms associated with seasonal influenza. However, the uptake of influenza vaccine has historically been low in children. This paper reports a descriptive survey that sought to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) and general practice nurses (GPNs) towards influenza vaccination in young children. Both GPs and GPNs working in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) in NSW, Australia, were invited via email, fax and social media to participate in the study. A total of 121 participants completed the survey. Most participants had a high level of support and knowledge of influenza immunisation in young children. Barriers to influenza immunisation in young children included perceived hesitancy in parents and competing clinical demands. The participants strongly supported funding of the vaccine, with 90.9% feeling that parents would be less likely to vaccinate their children if the vaccine were no longer free. Both GPs and GPNs differed in the use of influenza vaccination resources. The participants had a positive attitude to influenza immunisation in young children and strongly supported continued funding of the vaccine. Dedicated young children's influenza vaccination clinics run by general practices or in the community could reduce the impact of competing clinical demands.

Attitudes of general practitioners and practice nurses regarding older person health assessments.

Health assessments (HAs) are available for community-dwelling older people to receive annually from general practitioners (GPs), but have low uptake. Little is known regarding the views of GPs and practice nurses (PNs) towards older person HAs and whether this might contribute to the low uptake. The objective of this study was to explore the attitudes of GPs and PNs towards older person HAs. Fifty-eight participant responses to an online questionnaire were analysed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. Most participants (77%) found older person HAs to be useful. Participants felt HAs identified health problems that may otherwise be missed (n=21). The main barriers to delivery of HAs were patient refusal (n=25) and insufficient practitioner time (n=19). The most requested change to HAs was increased patient education and public awareness regarding older person HAs (n=10). Health professionals felt increased patient education and public awareness, particularly to address patient misconceptions regarding older person HAs, may improve HA uptake.

Patient-Chosen Gap Payment: an exploratory qualitative review of patients and general practitioner attitudes toward an alternative funding model for general practice.

We explored patients' and GPs' perceptions of an alternative payment system, a Patient-Chosen Gap Payment, where a gap fee is determined by the patient based on their perceived value of the service, including the choice to pay nothing. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews held with GPs (n=10) and patients (n=10) were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed for emerging themes. We found three emergent themes: (1) the cost of quality: health care was difficult to value for both GPs and patients; there was belief in universal coverage and the importance of quality, but trade-offs in quality of care were a common perception; (2) the doctor-patient relationship: patient-centred care was a common goal and perceived as a good measure of quality care and a way for patients to place a value on the service/care; and (3) the business of general practice: participants wanted to see sustainable business models for primary care that incentivised quality of care. A Patient-Chosen Gap Payment (PCGP) funding model could incentivise doctors to provide better care without limiting access to health care. Further research is needed to model real-world application.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of General Practitioners on Circumcision and Its Complications in the District Hospitals of the Center Region

Background: The complication rate of circumcision in medical settings is between 0.4% and 2.0%. Circumcision accidents constituted 2.0% of urological emergencies at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners on circumcision and its complications in Central Region District Hospitals. Population and Methods: We conducted a multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study the CAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) type. Which took place from March 9 to June 30, 2021 (16 weeks). We included 138 physicians. The variables collected were: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about circumcision and its complications, attitudes towards circumcision and its complications, practices towards circumcision and its complications. Results: In our study, the median age of the study population was 29 years, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.8. The median ideal age to perform circumcision was 12 months. In our study, 94.9% of general practitioners clearly identified bleeding disorders as a contraindication for circumcision. The material needed to be used to perform a circumcision was ignored by 81.2% of general practitioners. The global knowledge assessment showed that 68.9% of participants had unsatisfactory knowledge about circumcision and its complications. Before circumcision, 91.3% general practitioners first recommended effective disinfection of the operating field, and 83.3% used sterile equipment. Faced with a hemorrhage, 61.6% of general practitioners proposed surgical exploration in the face of rebellious bleeding. 60.2% of general practitioners had bad attitudes towards circumcision and its complications. In our study, 49.2% of the general practitioners questioned did not know the normal procedure for performing a circumcision. Forty-one (29.7%) general practitioners had never performed a circumcision. The median occurrence of a complication during circumcision was 2 times. Bleeding was the most common early postoperative complication (89.2%) in general practitioner practice during circumcision. Conclusion: The majority of general practitioners have not received formal education on circumcision.

Knowledge and Attitude of Doctors in Primary Care Settings Towards Thyroid Disorders: An Interventional Study

Thyroid disorders are important and growing health problems worldwide. However, considering real life, assessment of knowledge and attitudes of physicians towards thyroid diseases in primary care is lacking. The study aimed to determine the difference in knowledge and attitudes of Family physicians (FPs), General Practitioners (GPs) and internists in primary care settings of Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) towards Hypo and hyperthyroidism before and after medical education. This study is a pre-post interventional study done in primary health care facilities on 70 physicians from the three medical disciplines. Doctors were interviewed at their work place with a questionnaire consisting of personal data of the doctor and twenty questions about knowledge and attitudes towards thyroid disorders then they were handled the ideal answers according to the guidelines and the interview was repeated after two months. This study revealed that the mean age of physicians was 34±7.8, the mean duration of work was 6.8±5 years. The pre- interventional knowledge of internists was superior to family physicians and general practitioners. There was a highly significant change of physician knowledge (from 4.1±1.4 to 8±1.6) after intervention and there was a weakly significant change in attitude (from 3.1±0.9 to 3.2±0.9 and from 3.1±1.5 to 3.3±1.6 respectively) among general practitioners and family physicians after intervention. It was concluded that doctors from the three medical disciplines had a significant change in their responses to knowledge questions after intervention. So, it’s a must to train doctors in primary care how-to pick-up cases of thyroid disorders and how to manage them according to the guidelines and when they need to refer these cases.

Older adults with dementia: knowledge and attitudes of physicians in health units.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE:To describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners of the basic health network of the city of São Paulo in relation to patients with dementia and identify patterns of attitudes.METHODS:A total of 10% of the basic health units in the city of São Paulo (n = 45) were randomly distributed into six regional health coordination centers. Up to two general practitioners were interviewed in each unit, with a total of 81 physicians interviewed. They answered the translated and cross-culturally adapted version for Brazil of two British questionnaires, the knowledge quiz (knowledge about dementias) and the attitude quiz (attitude towards the patient afflicted with dementia), as well as a sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire to understand the profile of general practitioners working in primary care. Descriptive data analysis, factor analysis of the main components of the attitude quiz and study of association between attitudes and knowledge were performed, in addition to the multiple linear regression test to determine the relationship between occupational profile and knowledge about attitude patterns in dementia.RESULTS:The physicians interviewed had a median of five-year graduation time; 35.8% worked exclusively with primary care, and less than 40% had completed, or were attending, medical residency or specialization. Physicians showed a lower knowledge about the diagnosis of dementia than about the epidemiology of the disease and its therapeutic management. Their attitudes towards patients afflicted with dementia resulted in four factors: proactive optimism, delegated optimism, implicit dismay, and explicit dismay. The regression study showed that the attitude of explicit dismay decreases the longer the weekly working hours of the physician in the units, and that the delegated optimistic attitude of the physician decreases in the same situation.CONCLUSION:Investment in training is essential to improve physicians' performance in the field of dementia in primary care.

Attitudes towards advanced nursing roles in primary dementia care - Results of an observational study in Germany.

To demonstrate the attitudes of general practitioners (GPs), nurses, persons with dementia, and caregiver towards suitable tasks and qualification needs for and the acceptance and impact of advanced nursing roles in German dementia primary care. Observational study using a questionnaire survey with 225 GPs, 232 nurses, 211 persons with dementia, and 197 caregivers, conducted between December 2017-August 2018. A questionnaire was generated that includes specific assessment, prescription, and monitoring tasks of advanced nursing roles in dementia primary care as well as qualification requirements for and the acceptance and the impact of advanced nursing roles. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Group differences were assessed using the Fisher's exact test. Advanced nursing roles were highly appreciated across all groups. Assessment and monitoring tasks were rated as highly suitable, and prescription authorities as moderately suitable. Nurses felt less confident in assessment and monitoring, but more confident in prescribing as practitioners expected. Patients and caregivers would appreciate a takeover of tasks by nurses; nurses and practitioners preferred a delegation. A dementia-specific qualification was rated as best suitable for advanced nursing roles, followed by 'no specific qualification' if medical tasks that only can be carried out by practitioners were delegated and an academic degree if tasks were substituted. Advanced nursing roles were rated as beneficial, strengthening the confidence in nursing care and improving the cooperation between professionals and the treatment. Practitioners assumed that advanced nursing roles would improve job satisfaction of nurses, which was not confirmed by nurses. There is an extended consensus towards the enlargement of advanced nursing roles, represented by high endorsement, acceptance, and willingness to reorganize tasks. Results debunk the common notion that German practitioners would be reluctant towards advanced nursing roles and a takeover of current practitioner tasks, supporting the implementation of advanced nursing roles in Germany.

General practitioners’ opinion on early and pre‐dementia diagnosis of AD: A MOPEAD project survey in five European countries

AbstractBackgroundOver the last decade, research efforts have facilitated early detection of dementia and underlying diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (AD). There is growing evidence for the benefits of early diagnosis, including access to education, available treatment and support. On the other hand, the lack of a cure and the fear to stigmatize the patient are among the arguments that speak against early disclosure of a diagnosis. General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first contact person when cognitive changes arrive, and they play a key role in early identification of the disease. Based on the experiences working with GPs as part of the multinational “Models of Patient Engagement for Alzheimer's Disease” (MOPEAD) project, an EU‐funded public‐private study within the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI‐2) research agenda, we aimed to assess the current attitude of GPs towards early and pre‐dementia diagnosis for AD at the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or very mild dementia.MethodWe designed a survey to measure the current attitude of GPs towards early and pre‐dementia diagnosis of AD at the MOPEAD sites in five European countries (Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands). The questionnaire covered several topics, including attitude towards early diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, resources and opinion on present and future treatment options. Chi‐square tests were carried out to analyze differences among countries.Result343 GPs completed the survey. In total, 74% of GPs indicated that they considered an early diagnosis of value. However, only 44% of GPs felt confident in handling the diagnostic procedures for very early dementia and MCI. Currently available pharmacological treatments were mostly regarded as having low benefit, while 68% considered non‐pharmacological treatment options as “beneficial and not sufficiently available”. There were country‐specific differences in the GPs’ perception of monetary resources (X 2(4)=117.26, p < .001) and time (X 2(4)=14.84, p > .01) available for the patient.ConclusionOur findings provide an up‐to‐date overview on GPs’ opinion towards early and pre‐dementia diagnosis in five European countries. We show that the majority of GPs considers an early diagnosis beneficial, yet they are faced with country‐specific challenges that can contribute to delayed or missed diagnosis.

Physical activity for people living with cancer: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general practitioners in Australia.

Healthcare professionals' (Oncologists, doctors, and nurses) physical activity (PA) recommendations impact patients living with cancer PA levels. General practitioners (GPs) monitor the overall health of patients living with cancer throughout their treatment journey. This is the first study to explore GP's knowledge, attitudes and practices of PA for patients living with cancer. GPs who see patients living with cancer regularly (n = 111) completed a survey based on The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Participants (GP's) reported knowledge, attitudes, perceived behaviour control and subjective norms of PA within the cancer population. GP recommendation and referral rates of PA were reported. Principal component analysis was conducted to establish a set of survey items aligned to TPB constructs (attitude, subjective norms, perceived control), and multiple regression analyses characterised associations between these predictor variables and (a) recommendation; and (b) referral-of PA to cancer patients. GPs (n = 111) recommended PA to 41-60% of their patients and referred 1-20% to PA programs. Multiple regression models significantly predicted the percent of patients recommended PA, p < .0005 adj. R2 = 0.40 and referred PA, p < .0005, adj. R2 = 0.21. GP attitudes and perceived behavioural control and GP's own activity levels were significant predictors of whether patients were recommended and referred for PA, p<0.05. GPs reported positive attitudes and perceptions towards promoting PA for their patients living with cancer. Despite having a positive correlation between PA recommendations and referral rates, a gap was evident between GP's PA beliefs and their individual referral practices. More GP's willing to promote and refer their patients for PA, would improve the physical and mental health outcomes of the cancer population.

Prescription of oral nutritional supplements: attitude and practices of general practitioners of a french department

Rationale: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) enriched with energy and protein are indicated in case of undernutrition if the food intakes are insufficient and if the digestive tract is functional. In France, the legislation governing their prescription has been updated since 2019. Few data are available on their use by general practitioners (GPs). The objectives of this work were to describe the knowledge and prescription habits of GPs regarding ONS, and to verify that their practices were consistent with the guidelines.

Determinants of lifestyle counseling and current practices: A cross-sectional study among Dutch general practitioners.

This study aimed to examine the amount of lifestyle counseling that Dutch general practitioners (GPs) generally provide to their patients, as well as the behavioral determinants of their lifestyle counseling practices. Lifestyle counseling was defined and operationalized through the 5As model (i.e. Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist and Arrange), while determinants were based on an adapted version of the theory of planned behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 198 GPs, using an online survey questionnaire for collecting data. The results showed that 79.3% of the GPs assessed patients' current lifestyle often or always, while 60.1% reported they often or always assessed patients' motivation to improve their lifestyle. Depending on the lifestyle behavior, Advising to improve lifestyle ranged from 42.5% (sleep) to 92.4% (smoking), while Agree to set goals ranged from 21.7% (sleep) to 46.9% (smoking). Assisting patients to overcome barriers to lifestyle changes varied per patient barrier, ranging from lack of financial resources (25.7%) to stress (81.8%). The findings from the linear hierarchical regression revealed that GPs' self-efficacy (β = .46, p < .001), patient norm (β = .21, p < .001), and attitude (β = .20, p < .05) were the determinants with the strongest associations with lifestyle counseling. The full model explained 47% of the variance in counseling lifestyle. Implications for supporting GPs to counsel patients about their lifestyle are discussed.