European Primary Care Settings Research Articles

Introduction of novel complex integrated care models supported by digital health interventions in European primary settings: a scoping review

IntroductionThere remains the need to develop comprehensive organisational care models supported by digital health interventions (DHIs) to manage chronic conditions in primary healthcare. Objectivethis review aimed to identify and map methods, interventions and outcomes investigated regarding the introduction of novel complex integrated care models supported by DHIs in the European primary care setting, as well as the level of integration achieved. Methodsa scoping review to identify literature from 2013 to 2023 in the European context was conducted across PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. DHIs description, care models and outcomes were reported using the PRISMA- ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. ResultsA total of 53 studies was included. The models introduced, along with a DHI, at least one innovation in their structure or in the modality of care delivery: either a new figure (44%), interprofessional collaboration (37%), new functions like person-centred care (59%) or population stratification (11%). As regarding the DHIs, 56% implemented monitoring/management platforms and apps for chronic conditions. The most frequent combination of care model-DHI was the introduction of an app/platform, supported by phone calls/texts and electronic health records, paired with the introduction of a new healthcare professional/person centred care/ multidisciplinary team. All the studies reaching statistically significant outcomes introduced, along with one or more DHIs, either a new figure or a multidisciplinary team as part of the organizational change to support the technology. Conclusionsnovel complex integrated care models are focusing on introducing multidisciplinary perspectives and personalization of care, in line with the complex needs of chronic patients. The predominant development of monitoring/management platforms for patients is a further confirmation of this trend. Future research efforts should focus on the investigation of the effectiveness of current complex integrated care models integrating DHIs.

Point-of-care C-reactive protein testing to support the management of respiratory tract infections in community pharmacy: A feasibility study.

Point-of-care (POC) C-reactive protein (CRP) testing is employed in European primary care settings to differentiate viral from bacterial respiratory tract infections (RTIs) the latter, requiring referral for antibiotics. This service has yet to be trialled in Australian community pharmacy to support over-the-counter RTI management. To evaluate the feasibility, based on clinical and operational outcomes, of POC CRP testing to support Western Australian community pharmacists' management of RTIs. Patients with RTI signs and symptoms were recruited from June-August 2019at 5 community pharmacies. Trained pharmacists made recommendations based on participants' POC CRP levels and routine clinical assessment. Participants completed questionnaires and telephone follow-ups on Days 3 (by pharmacists) and 5 (by researchers) post-testing. Service provision and uptake were assessed in 3 separate weekly tally sheets. Clinical outcomes: CRP levels among the 131 participants recruited were: < 5mg/L (bacterial infection unlikely; n=60; 45.8%); 5-19mg/L (bacterial infection possible if suggestive routine assessment; n=52; 39.7%) and 20-100mg/L (bacterial infection likely if suggestive routine assessment; n=19; 14.5%). Pharmacists' management included over-the-counter medicines (131, 100%), self-care advice (125, 95.4%) and immediate general practitioner (GP) referral (15, 11.5%). Sixty-five percent (76/117) of participants had recovered by Day 5. Operational outcomes: The services was provided in 21.2% of eligible RTI presentations, representing a service uptake rate of 28.1%. Post-CRP testing, 50.9% (58/114) of participants had changed perceptions regarding their need for antibiotics, with 14.3% (16/112) subsequently intending to seek a GP prescription. Consumer satisfaction was high (100%) and most participants (93.4%, 123/131) would utilise the service again. POC CRP testing was a feasible and well-accepted strategy to facilitate community pharmacy as a triage point for RTI. Consumer confidence in the pharmacists' advice, supported by CRP testing, potentially reduced unnecessary GP visits and antibiotic prescribing.

Optimising individual and community involvement in health decision-making in general practice consultations and primary care settings: A way forward

The World Health Organisation Alma-Ata Declaration on Primary Healthcare, and the more recent Astana Declaration from the Global Conference on Primary Healthcare, emphasise the involvement of individuals and communities in health decision-making about their individual health care, service delivery and policy development. Increasingly, health funding agencies and academic publishers like the BMJ require Public and Patient Involvement in health research. These imperatives cover health decision-making about different issues in different settings. In this position paper, I argue that individual and community involvement in health decision-making are core to, and useful for, the discipline of general practice but may not be equally familiar or routinised practices in European primary care settings. I use the social science concept of participatory spaces, to describe three overlapping forms of involvement – shared decision-making (SDM) in clinical care, community participation to develop services and Public and Patient Involvement in research. I refer to evidence of implementation challenges for these forms of involvement and provide insights about how to routinise them with reference to the need for these practices to make more sense to general practitioners, for general practitioners to have more time and resources to incorporate them into their daily work and for more research to understand the power dynamics involved. We need leadership in our discipline, and partnership working with policymakers, patient and community organisations, to progress these issues and enable us to optimise benefits for general practitioners, patients and the broader practice population.

High Variability in Implementation of Selective-Prevention Services for Cardiometabolic Diseases in Five European Primary Care Settings.

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. As part of a collaborative European study, this paper aims to explore the implementation of primary care selective-prevention services in five European countries. We assessed the implementation process of the selective-prevention services, participants’ cardiometabolic profile and risk and participants’ evaluation of the services, in terms of feasibility and impact in promoting a healthy lifestyle. (2) Methods: Eligible participants were primary care patients, 40–65 years of age, without any diagnosis of cardiometabolic disease. Two hundred patients were invited to participate per country. The extent to which participants adopted and completed the implementation of selective-prevention services was recorded. Patient demographics, lifestyle-related cardiometabolic risk factors and opinions on the implementation’s feasibility were also collected. (3) Results: Acceptance rates varied from 19.5% (n = 39/200) in Sweden to 100% (n = 200/200) in the Czech Republic. Risk assessment completion rates ranged from 65.4% (n = 70/107) in Greece to 100% (n = 39/39) in Sweden. On a ten-point scale, the median (25–75% quartile) of participant-reported implementation feasibility ranged from 7.4 (6.9–7.8) in Greece to 9.2 (8.2–9.9) in Sweden. Willingness to change lifestyle exceeded 80% in all countries. (4) Conclusions: A substantial variation in the implementation of selective-prevention receptiveness and patient risk profile was observed among countries. Our findings suggest that the design and implementation of behavior change cardiometabolic programmes in each country should be informed by the local context and provide some background evidence towards this direction, which can be even more relevant during the current pandemic period.

Impetigo incidence and treatment: a retrospective study of Dutch routine primary care data.

There is a lack of recently published data on impetigo presentation incidence and treatment practices in the routine Western European primary care setting. To investigate impetigo incidence, treatments and recurrence in primary care in the Netherlands. A retrospective, observational study. Electronic records of patients treated for impetigo in 2015 at 29 general practices in Utrecht and surrounds were reviewed. An episode of impetigo was defined as one or more patient-doctor contacts within 8 weeks of the index consultation. Within an episode, patient demographics and prescribing patterns were analysed including number of treatments, and the category and sequence of individual medicines. A total of 1761 impetigo episodes were managed, with an incidence rate of 13.6 per 1000 person years. Impetigo peaked in summer. Most patients, the majority children, experienced a single episode (93%), and 25% had eczema as comorbidity. Topical antibiotics (primarily fusidic acid) were the most prescribed initial treatments (85%), followed by oral antibiotics (14%). Topical antibiotics were progressively used less over subsequent treatments, while there was an inverse increase in oral antibiotic use. Topical fusidic acid as the most common first line treatment seemed satisfactory as only 12% of initial treatments with this drug received further therapy. Repeat treatments generally occurred within 7 days. This study of impetigo prescribing patterns in primary care highlighted that Dutch general practitioners were generally adherent to national treatment guidelines. Topical treatment, and if needed systemic small-spectrum antibiotic treatment, appeared satisfactory; these findings aid in antimicrobial stewardship.

Supporting the use of theory in cross-country health services research: a participatory qualitative approach using Normalisation Process Theory as an example

ObjectivesTo describe and reflect on the process of designing and delivering a training programme supporting the use of theory, in this case Normalisation Process Theory (NPT), in a multisite cross-country...

Corrigendum: Barriers to Alcohol Screening Among Hypertensive Patients and the Role of Stigma: Lessons for the Implementation of Screening and Brief Interventions in European Primary Care Settings.

Aims 1. To quantify barriers to alcohol screening among hypertensive patients reported by primary healthcare professionals. 2. To examine whether education and screening frequency measures are associated with stigma-related barriers. Methods A web survey was conducted among 3081 primary healthcare professionals from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Participants were asked about perceived barriers to alcohol screening as free-text response. The replies were independently categorized by two raters. Stigma-related barriers were predicted by logistic regressions with education, knowledge on alcohol as risk factor and frequency of alcohol screening. Results In France and Italy, almost half of the reported barriers were stigma-related, whereas time constraints were cited most commonly in Spain and the UK. In Germany, nearly half of respondents rated the importance of alcohol screening for hypertension as low. Perception that regular screening is inappropriate or associated with too much effort, beliefs that screening is unnecessary, and insufficient knowledge of screening tools were cited as further barriers. Professional education on alcohol use was consistently rated to be poorer than the equivalent education on hypertension, and only a minority of respondents perceived alcohol as important risk factor for hypertension. Stigma-related barriers could not be significantly predicted by education, knowledge or screening frequency in most models. Conclusions Overall, regular alcohol screening among hypertensive patients seems to be widely accepted, but further education (Germany) and structural support (Spain, UK) could contribute to increase screening rates. In France and Italy, screening uptake could be improved by addressing stigma. Short Summary Alcohol screening among hypertensive patients was largely accepted among general practitioners from five different European countries. Reported screening barriers varied between countries and included time constraints, stigma and underrated importance of alcohol. Results did not indicate a positive impact of education and screening frequency on perception of stigma as barrier to screening.

Barriers to Alcohol Screening Among Hypertensive Patients and the Role of Stigma: Lessons for the Implementation of Screening and Brief Interventions in European Primary Care Settings

1. To quantify barriers to alcohol screening among hypertensive patients reported by primary healthcare professionals. 2. To examine whether education and screening frequency measures are associated with stigma-related barriers. A web survey was conducted among 3081 primary healthcare professionals from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Participants were asked about perceived barriers to alcohol screening as free-text response. The replies were independently categorized by two raters. Stigma-related barriers were predicted by logistic regressions with education, knowledge on alcohol as risk factor and frequency of alcohol screening. In France and Italy, almost half of the reported barriers were stigma-related, whereas time constraints were cited most commonly in Spain and the UK. In Germany, nearly half of respondents rated the importance of alcohol screening for hypertension as low. Perception that regular screening is inappropriate or associated with too much effort, beliefs that screening is unnecessary, and insufficient knowledge of screening tools were cited as further barriers. Professional education on alcohol use was consistently rated to be poorer than the equivalent education on hypertension, and only a minority of respondents perceived alcohol as important risk factor for hypertension. Stigma-related barriers could not be significantly predicted by education, knowledge or screening frequency in most models. Overall, regular alcohol screening among hypertensive patients seems to be widely accepted, but further education (Germany) and structural support (Spain, UK) could contribute to increase screening rates. In France and Italy, screening uptake could be improved by addressing stigma. Alcohol screening among hypertensive patients was largely accepted among general practitioners from five different European countries. Reported screening barriers varied between countries and included time constraints, stigma and underrated importance of alcohol. Results did not indicate a positive impact of education and screening frequency on perception of stigma as barrier to screening.

Alcohol use disorders in Europe: A comparison of general population and primary health care prevalence rates

Aims. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are prevalent in Europe but occurrence in primary care and the proportion of treated cases are understudied. This study reports prevalence of AUDs and their treatment in European primary health care settings and compares them with general population estimates. Procedure. We sampled 358 general practitioners (GPs, refusal rate: 56.4%) across six European countries (Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, and Spain) who assessed 13,003 patients including providing AUD diagnoses. A subsample of 8,476 patients (refusal rate: 17.8%) was interviewed subsequently, assessing DSM-IV AUD diagnoses via the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Final AUD diagnoses combined GP and patient interview information. Findings. Past year AUDs were prevalent with 11.8% (95% CI: 11.2–12.5%) across all regions, which is 1.6 times the European general population AUD estimate. Of those diagnosed with AUDs, 17.7% (95% CI: 15.4–20.0%) received professional help. Compared to general population estimates, AUDs and their treatment were more prevalent in primary care settings in most countries, with disproportionally high AUD rates in Italy and Spain and unexpectedly low AUD rates in Hungary. Conclusions. We found higher prevalence and treatment rates of AUDs in primary health care compared to general population surveys, with large variability between the observed countries.

Alcohol dependence and treatment utilization in Europe - a representative cross-sectional study in primary care.

BackgroundAlcohol dependence (AD) in Europe is prevalent and causes considerable health burden. Recognition by general practitioners (GPs) and provision of or referral to treatment may contribute to reduce this burden. This paper studied AD prevalence in varying European primary care settings and examined who received treatment.MethodsIn a cross-sectional multi-centre study in six European countries, 358 general practitioners assessed 13,003 primary care patients between January 2013 and January 2014, of which 8,476 patients were interviewed, collecting information on socio-demographics, physical and mental problems, and on alcohol use, problems and treatment. AD diagnoses were determined by GPs’ clinical judgement and a standardized interview. A wide definition for AD treatment included individual and group interventions provided by different health professionals. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were employed.ResultsAD was prevalent among patients in European primary health care settings (8.7 %, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 8.1-9.3 %). Treatment rates were low (22.3 % of all AD cases, 95 % CI: 19.4-25.2 %). For both prevalence and treatment utilization, considerable country variations were observed. AD was associated with a number of socio-economic disadvantages (e.g. higher unemployment rate) and higher physical (e.g., liver disease, hypertension) and mental comorbidities (e.g., depression, anxiety). Liver problems, mental distress and daily amount of alcohol used were higher among treated versus untreated male patients with AD.ConclusionA minority of people identified as having AD received treatment, showing heavier drinking patterns and a higher level of co-morbidity. Different types of treatment, depending on severity of AD, should be considered.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12875-015-0308-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care in Europe: the case for improvement. The rationale for the RESTORE FP 7 project

The purpose of this paper is to substantiate the importance of research about barriers and levers to the implementation of supports for cross-cultural communication in primary care settings in Europe. After an overview of migrant health issues, with the focus on communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care and the importance of language barriers, we highlight the fact that there are serious problems in routine practice that persist over time and across different European settings. Language and cultural barriers hamper communication in consultations between doctors and migrants, with a range of negative effects including poorer compliance and a greater propensity to access emergency services. It is well established that there is a need for skilled interpreters and for professionals who are culturally competent to address this problem. A range of professional guidelines and training initiatives exist that support the communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care. However, these are commonly not implemented in daily practice. It is as yet unknown why professionals do not accept or implement these guidelines and interventions, or under what circumstances they would do so. A new study involving six European countries, RESTORE (REsearch into implementation STrategies to support patients of different ORigins and language background in a variety of European primary care settings), aims to address these gaps in knowledge. It uses a unique combination of a contemporary social theory, normalisation process theory (NPT) and participatory learning and action (PLA) research. This should enhance understanding of the levers and barriers to implementation, as well as providing stakeholders, with the opportunity to generate creative solutions to problems experienced with the implementation of such interventions.

REsearch into implementation STrategies to support patients of different ORigins and language background in a variety of European primary care settings (RESTORE): study protocol.

BackgroundThe implementation of guidelines and training initiatives to support communication in cross-cultural primary care consultations is ad hoc across a range of international settings with negative consequences particularly for migrants. This situation reflects a well-documented translational gap between evidence and practice and is part of the wider problem of implementing guidelines and the broader range of professional educational and quality interventions in routine practice. In this paper, we describe our use of a contemporary social theory, Normalization Process Theory and participatory research methodology—Participatory Learning and Action—to investigate and support implementation of such guidelines and training initiatives in routine practice.MethodsThis is a qualitative case study, using multiple primary care sites across Europe. Purposive and maximum variation sampling approaches will be used to identify and recruit stakeholders—migrant service users, general practitioners, primary care nurses, practice managers and administrative staff, interpreters, cultural mediators, service planners, and policy makers. We are conducting a mapping exercise to identify relevant guidelines and training initiatives. We will then initiate a PLA-brokered dialogue with stakeholders around Normalization Process Theory’s four constructs—coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring. Through this, we will enable stakeholders in each setting to select a single guideline or training initiative for implementation in their local setting. We will prospectively investigate and support the implementation journeys for the five selected interventions. Data will be generated using a Participatory Learning and Action approach to interviews and focus groups. Data analysis will follow the principles of thematic analysis, will occur in iterative cycles throughout the project and will involve participatory co-analysis with key stakeholders to enhance the authenticity and veracity of findings.DiscussionThis research employs a unique combination of Normalization Process Theory and Participatory Learning and Action, which will provide a novel approach to the analysis of implementation journeys. The findings will advance knowledge in the field of implementation science because we are using and testing theoretical and methodological approaches so that we can critically appraise their scope to mediate barriers and improve the implementation processes.

The chronic care model: congruency and predictors among patients with cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Netherlands

BackgroundThe Chronic Care Model (CCM) achieved widespread acceptance and reflects the core elements of patient-centred care in chronic diseases such as CVD and COPD. Our aim is to assess the extent to which current care for CVD and COPD patients aligns with the CCM in Dutch healthcare practices in the early stages of implementing disease-management programmes, thereby revealing possible predictors that tell us whether certain patients are more likely to receive CCM-compliant care than others.MethodsWe use a cross-sectional study, addressing CVD or COPD patients from 106 primary care practices in the Netherlands. Our response rate was 53%; i.e., 2,487 of 4,681 questionnaires were returned. The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) was used to assess compliance with CCM. Quality of life was assessed with the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and we used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depressive symptoms. Multilevel regression models were performed to reveal predictors of high CCM compliance.ResultsWith a mean (SD) of 2.77 (0.86) in CVD patients and 2.89 (0.89) in COPD patients (p = 0.002), the PACIC sum score was lower than in previous studies conducted in HMOs in the US, but similar to a European primary care setting study. The PACIC score was associated with age and depressive symptoms in both patient groups.ConclusionsYounger and less depressed patients report higher PACIC scores, indicating that their care better aligns to the CCM.

Rationale and design of the PREDICE project: cost-effectiveness of type 2 diabetes prevention among high-risk Spanish individuals following lifestyle intervention in real-life primary care setting

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is an important preventable disease and a growing public health problem. Based on information provided by clinical trials, we know that Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle intervention. In view of translating the findings of diabetes prevention research into real-life it is necessary to carry out community-based evaluations so as to learn about the feasibility and effectiveness of locally designed and implemented programmes. The aim of this project was to assess the effectiveness of an active real-life primary care strategy in high-risk individuals for developing diabetes, and then evaluate its efficiency.Methods/DesignCost-Effectiveness analysis of the DE-PLAN (Diabetes in Europe - Prevention using Lifestyle, physical Activity and Nutritional intervention) project when applied to a Mediterranean population in Catalonia (DE-PLAN-CAT). Multicenter, longitudinal cohort assessment (4 years) conducted in 18 primary health-care centres (Catalan Health Institute). Individuals without diabetes aged 45-75 years were screened using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score - FINDRISC - questionnaire and a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. All high risk tested individuals were invited to participate in either a usual care intervention (information on diet and cardiovascular health without individualized programme), or the intensive DE-PLAN educational program (individualized or group) periodically reinforced. Oral glucose tolerance test was repeated yearly to determine diabetes incidence. Besides measuring the accumulated incidence of diabetes, information was collected on economic impact of the interventions in both cohorts (using direct and indirect cost questionnaires) and information on utility measures (Quality Adjusted Life Years). A cost-utility and a cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed and data will be modelled to predict long-term cost-effectiveness.DiscussionThe project was intended to evidence that a substantial reduction in Type 2 diabetes incidence can be obtained at a reasonable cost-effectiveness ratio in real-life primary health care setting by an intensive lifestyle intervention. As far as we know, the DE-PLAN-CAT/PREDICE project represents the first assessment of long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a public healthcare strategy to prevent diabetes within a European primary care setting.

Assessing organisational development in European primary care using a group‐based method

The Maturity Matrix is a tool designed in the U.K. to assess family practice organisational development and to stimulate quality improvement. It is practice-led, formative and undertaken by a practice team with the help of trained facilitators. The aim of this study is to assess the Maturity Matrix as a tool and an organisational development measure in European family practice settings. Using a convenience sample of 153 practices and 11 facilitators based in the U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Slovenia, feasibility was assessed against six criteria: completion; coverage; distribution; scaling; translation; and missing data. Information sources were responses to evaluation questionnaires by facilitators and completed Maturity Matrix profiles. All practices taking part completed the Maturity Matrix sessions successfully. The Netherlands, the U.K. and Germany site staff suggested including additional dimensions: interface between primary and secondary care; access; and management of expendable materials. Maturity Matrix scores were normally distributed in each country. Scaling properties, translation and missing data suggested that the following dimensions are most robust across the participating countries: clinical performance audit; prescribing; meetings; and continuing professional development. Practice size did not make a significant difference to the Maturity Matrix profile scores. The study suggests that the Maturity Matrix is a feasible and valuable tool, helping practices to review organisational development as it relates to healthcare quality. Future research should focus on developing dimensions that are generic across European primary care settings.

A children's acute respiratory illness scale (CARIFS) predicted functional severity and family burden

ObjectiveThe Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) was developed to measure illness severity in children with acute respiratory infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate its performance in a European primary care setting. Study design and setting178 children (median age 3 years) with cough and fever were recruited in UK general practice. Perceived severity of illness at recruitment was recorded by parents, doctors, and nurses. Parents also completed an illness diary, including the CARIF scale, until their child had recovered. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 parents. ResultsParents found CARIFS relatively easy and quick to complete (78% of parents returned a fully completed diary covering the duration of the illness), internal consistency was high (minimum item correlation with total score 0.22; overall Cronbach's alpha statistic 0.85), and responsiveness to improvement in health was good (observed effect size of 0.45 at 8 h). At presentation, however, neither the overall CARIFS score nor the clinical element of the score correlated with physician assessment of clinical severity. ConclusionOf the three recognized domains of illness severity, CARIFS appears to be a good and valid measure of functional severity and burden of illness to the parent but it may not be a good measure of physiological severity.

Colonoscopy: Evaluating Indications and Diagnostic Yield

Colonoscopic procedure is an accepted modality for the evaluation of colonic disease. Open-access versus restricted-access colonoscopy has been argued over in the recent literature. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to identify the yield of the major indications for the procedure, and the pattern of colon pathology in our community. We retrospectively analyzed our experience in 3000 colonoscopies over a five-year period. The patients comprised 1145 females (38%) and 1855 males (62%), and their ages ranged from 9 months to 95 years (mean 39.2). There were 2283 patients (76%) who were aged less than 55 years. Complete examination to the cecum was possible in 2850 cases (95%). Pathological findings were identified in 640 patients (21%). The diagnostic yield of patients referred for lower abdominal pain and surveillance was low, at 7% and 17%, respectively. The yield was high for those with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (47%), non-bloody diarrhea (35%), iron deficiency anemia (30%), mass lesions identified by radiology (53%), and polyps identified by radiology (70%). Inflammatory bowel disease was diagnosed in 220 patients, carcinoma in 64 patients, and colonic polyps in 139 patients. Colonic diseases are not uncommon in our part of the world. Colonoscopy is a rewarding procedure in those patients referred with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, mass lesions, polyps and diarrhea. The procedure is less rewarding in patients with lower abdominal pain and in those undergoing surveillance colonoscopy. Patient selection on the basis of the presenting complaint may help to utilize the limited resources available to gastroenterologists. About 63% of the procedures were done for indications found to have a low yield. Inflammatory bowel disease is seen with increasing frequency in our population.

Overuse and underuse of colonoscopy in a European primary care setting

Background: Efforts to decrease overuse of health care may result in underuse. Overuse and underuse of colonoscopy have never been simultaneously evaluated in the same patient population. Methods: In this prospective observational study, the appropriateness and necessity of referral for colonoscopy were evaluated by using explicit criteria developed by a standardized expert panel method. Inappropriate referrals constituted overuse. Patients with necessary colonoscopy indications who were not referred constituted underuse. Consecutive ambulatory patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms from 22 general practices in Switzerland, a country with ready access to colonoscopy, were enrolled during a 4-week period. Follow-up data were obtained at 3 months for patients who did not undergo a necessary colonoscopy. Results: Eight thousand seven hundred sixty patient visits were screened for inclusion; 651 patients (7.4%) had lower GI symptoms (mean age 56.4 years, 68% women). Of these, 78 (12%) were referred for colonoscopy. Indications for colonoscopy in 11 patients (14% of colonoscopy referrals or 1.7% of all patients with lower GI symptoms) were judged inappropriate. Among 573 patients not referred for the procedure, underuse ranged between 11% and 28% of all patients with lower GI symptoms, depending on the criteria used. Conclusions: Applying criteria from an expert panel of nationally recognized experts indicates that underuse of referral for colonoscopy exceeds overuse in primary care in Switzerland. To improve quality of care, both overuse and underuse of important procedures must be addressed. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:593-9.)

Prevalence and recognition of anxiety syndromes in five European primary care settings

This study explored the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics and severity of different anxiety syndromes in five European primary care settings, as well as medical help-seeking, recognition by general practitioners (GPs) and treatment prescribed. The data were collected as part of the WHO study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Among 9714 consecutive primary care patients, 1973 were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Reason for contact, ICD-10 diagnoses, severity and disability were assessed. Recognition rates and treatment prescribed were obtained from the GPs. Anxiety syndromes, whether corresponding to well-defined disorders or to subthreshold conditions, are frequent in primary care and are associated with a clinically significant degree of severity and substantial psychosocial disability. Their recognition by GPs as well as the proportion treated are low. Since people with subthreshold anxiety show a substantial degree of disability and suffering, GPs may consider diagnostic criteria to be insufficient. However, their awareness of specific definitions and treatment patterns for anxiety disorders still needs a lot of improvement both for patients' well-being and for the cost resulting from non-treatment.