Guidance For GPs Research Articles

Cauda equina syndrome: Recognising ‘red flags’ for back pain in primary care

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare, but potentially devastating condition caused by compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots, usually due to a massive disc herniation. Missed or delayed diagnosis leads to lower limb paralysis with bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction. The aims of the article are to describe the pathophysiology, epidemiology, typical presentation, diagnostic features and red flag symptoms, presented in line with the RCGP curriculum topic guide. We have included guidance for GPs undertaking clinical assessments, including telephone appointments. This article also includes referral pathways to specialist services, long-term follow-up and community support services for these patients.

Assessment and management of medical emergencies in eating disorders: guidance for GPs.

Assessment and management of medical emergencies in eating disorders: guidance for GPs.

Management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in 2021: an update for GPs.

In February 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved the use of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) for patients with or without diabetes and with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <40%.1 This article provides some practical guidance for GPs on implementing the recommendation. Until recently, three groups of drugs were recommended by NICE as standard therapy to improve symptoms and prognosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The aspiration is for patients to receive them at the maximal tolerated doses (Table 1). The groups are: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI); beta-blockers (BB); and — for patients remaining symptomatic — mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). View this table: Table 1. First- and second-line pharmacotherapy groups (’the four pillars’) known to reduce mortality in HFrEF and approved by NICEa In patients with persistent or worsening symptoms whose LVEF is <35%, any ACEI/ARB should be replaced with sacubitril–valsartan (Entresto®), the current sole licensed member of ARNI, as both symptoms and prognosis are improved.2 Chronic heart failure still carries a poor prognosis, worse than some cancers, with a mortality of 42% at 5 years after the diagnosis in the UK.3 In part this reflects incomplete optimisation of existing therapies. GPs have a major role to play in spotting the need for medicines optimisation (Table 1), considering non-pharmacological interventions, and liaising with the community heart failure nurse and cardiac rehabilitation teams. In the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) trial, addition of dapagliflozin reduced the composite cardiovascular endpoint (hospitalisation for heart failure, urgent outpatient diuretic, therapy, or cardiovascular death) by 26% with a Number …

General practitioner's (GP) home management guidelines for COVID-19 patients: Guidelines.

Carefully developed guidelines for clinical practice serve as an important tool for desirable changes in health care of a country. They act as an important source of information for physicians as well as policy makers and educational institutions thereby improving the quality of care of patients. The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in 2019 has placed a huge burden on health care system globally. The first line health care provider bears the brunt of this disease with limited and varying sources of information as most of the patients present to them. Varied presentation of disease along with limited hospital facilities for admission is a huge challenge for appropriate management and referral of these patients. These guidelines, prepared after reviewing the interim guidelines in literature, will serve as a source of guidance for GPs to manage mild cases at home and refer those with moderate and severe disease to tertiary care hospitals.

GPs must push back against work dumped on them by hospitals, says BMA

GPs should push back on inappropriate work given to them by hospitals, the BMA has said. The BMA has published guidance for GPs on how to transfer unnecessary work back to secondary care managers.1 The organisation said that the 2017/18 NHS standard contract for secondary care trusts, which came into force …

GPs' approaches to documenting stigmatising information: a qualitative study.

Complete medical documentation is essential for continuity of care, but the competing need to protect patient confidentiality presents an ethical dilemma. This is particularly poignant for GPs because of their central role in facilitating continuity. To examine how GPs manage medical documentation of stigmatising mental health (MH) and non-MH information. A qualitative sub-study of a factorial experiment with GPs practising in Massachusetts, US. Semi-structured interviews (n = 128) were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analysed for themes. GPs expressed difficulties with and inconsistent strategies for documenting stigmatising information. Without being asked directly about stigmatising information, 44 GPs (34%) expressed difficulties documenting it: whether to include clinically relevant but sensitive information, how to word it, and explaining to patients the importance of including it. Additionally, 75 GPs (59%) discussed strategies for managing documentation of stigmatising information. GPs reported four strategies that varied by type of information: to exclude stigmatising information to respect patient confidentiality (MH: 26%, non-MH: 43%); to include but restrict access to information (MH: 13%, non-MH: 25%); to include but neutralise information to minimise potential stigma (MH: 26%, non-MH: 29%); and to include stigmatising information given the potential impact on care (MH: 68%, non-MH: 32%). Lack of consistency undermines the potential of medical documentation to efficiently facilitate continuous, coordinated health care because providers cannot be certain how to interpret what is or is not in the chart. A proactive consensus process within the field of primary care would provide much needed guidance for GPs and, ultimately, could enhance quality of care.

Using quantitative risk information in decisions about statins: a qualitative study in a community setting.

BackgroundA large literature informs guidance for GPs about communicating quantitative risk information so as to facilitate shared decision making. However, relatively little has been written about how patients utilise such information in practice.AimTo understand the role of quantitative risk information in patients’ accounts of decisions about taking statins.Design and settingThis was a qualitative study, with participants recruited and interviewed in community settings.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 participants aged >50 years, all of whom had been offered statins. Data were analysed thematically, using elements of the constant comparative method.ResultsInterviewees drew frequently on numerical test results to explain their decisions about preventive medication. In contrast, they seldom mentioned quantitative risk information, and never offered it as a rationale for action. Test results were spoken of as objects of concern despite an often-explicit absence of understanding, so lack of understanding seems unlikely to explain the non-use of risk estimates. Preventive medication was seen as ‘necessary’ either to treat test results, or because of personalised, unequivocal advice from a doctor.ConclusionThis study’s findings call into question the assumption that people will heed and use numerical risk information once they understand it; these data highlight the need to consider the ways in which different kinds of knowledge are used in practice in everyday contexts. There was little evidence from this study that understanding probabilistic risk information was a necessary or valued condition for making decisions about statin use.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of pain and immobility-associated osteoarthritis: consensus guidance for primary care

BackgroundOsteoarthritis is a common presentation in primary care, and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (sometimes also referred to as traditional NSAIDs or tNSAIDs) and selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors (COX-2 inhibitors) are commonly used to treat it. The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends taking patient risk factors into account when selecting a tNSAID or a COX-2 inhibitor, but GPs have lacked practical guidance on assessing patient risk.MethodsA multi-disciplinary group that included primary care professionals (PCPs) developed an evidence-based consensus statement with an accompanying flowchart that aimed at providing concise and specific guidance on NSAID use in osteoarthritis treatment. An open invitation to meet and discuss the issue was made to relevant healthcare professionals in South Yorkshire. A round table meeting was held that used a modified nominal group technique, aimed at generating opinions and ideas from all stakeholders in the consensus process. A draft developed from this meeting went through successive revisions until a consensus was achieved.ResultsFour statements on the use of tNSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors (and an attached category of evidence) were agreed: 1) tNSAIDs are effective drugs in relieving pain and immobility associated with osteoarthritis. COX-2 inhibitors are equally effective; 2) tNSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors vary in their potential gastrointestinal, liver, and cardio-renal toxicity. This risk varies between individual treatments within both groups and is increased with dose and duration of treatment; 3) COX-2 inhibitors are associated with a significantly lower gastrointestinal toxicity compared to tNSAIDs. Co-prescribing of aspirin reduces this advantage; 4) PPIs should always be considered with a tNSAID and with a COX-2 inhibitor in higher GI risk patients. An accompanying flowchart to guide management was also agreed.ConclusionsIndividual patient risk is an important factor in choice of treatment for patients with osteoarthritis and the consensus statement developed offers practical guidance for GPs and others in primary care. Where there are clinical uncertainties, guidance developed and agreed by local clinicians has a role to play in improving patient management.

Sessional GPs encouraged to set up peer support groups

The BMA has published new guidance for sessional GPs on how to set up and develop peer support groups to improve access to education, clinical information, networking, and career opportunities. Peer support groups can help reduce the professional isolation experienced …

General practitioners' evaluation of community psychiatric services: responsiveness to change of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ)

BackgroundInstruments have been developed to assess professional views of the quality of care but have rarely been tested for responsiveness to change. The objective of this study was to test the responsiveness of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ) for the measurement of Community Mental Health Centres in Norway.MethodsNational surveys were conducted in Norway in 2006 (n = 2,415) and 2008 (n = 2,209) to measure general practitioners' evaluation of community mental health centres. GPs evaluated the centres by means of a postal questionnaire, consisting of questions focused on centre quality and cooperation with GPs. As part of the national surveys 75 GPs in 2006 and 66 GPs in 2008 evaluated Hamar community mental health centre. Between the surveys, several quality improvement initiatives were implemented which were directed at cooperation with and guidance for GPs in Stange municipality, one of eight municipalities in Hamar centre catchment area. The main outcome measures were changes in GPEQ scores from 2006 to 2008 for GPs evaluating Hamar community mental health centre from Stange municipality, and changes in scores for GPs in the other seven municipalities and nationally which were assessed for statistical significance.ResultsGPs in Stange municipality rated Hamar community mental health centre significantly better on the guidance scale in 2008 than in 2006; on a 0-100 scale where 100 represents the best possible experiences the score was 26.5 in 2006 and 58.3 in 2008 (p < 0.001). Apart from one item about workforce situation, none of the other scales and items showed significant changes. The control group from the other seven municipalities gave significantly poorer rating for the emergency situation scale, the workforce situation scale and seven items in 2008 than in 2006. The national results showed small differences between 2006 and 2008, even though several scales and items were significantly different. A question about changes in centre performance over the last 2-3 years showed that 82% of GPs from Stange municipality reported that Hamar community mental health centre had improved, compared to only 36% from the other seven municipalities and 40% nationally which was statistically significant.ConclusionsFollowing the implementation of an initiative designed to enhance service quality, the GPEQ identified expected changes in the guidance scale for the intervention group, indicating that the instrument is responsive to change. The worsening of services for GPs in the control group evaluating Hamar centre warrants further study.

In vitro evaluation of five rapid antigen detection tests for group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal sore throat infections

Using accurate and easy to use rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) to identify group A beta-haemolytic Streptococci (GABHS) sore throat infections could reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial resistance. Although there is no international consensus on the use of RADTs, these kits have been widely adopted in Finland, France and the USA. Yet in the UK, the Clinical Knowledge Summaries, that provide the main online guidance for GPs, discourage RADTs use, citing their poor sensitivity and inability to impact on prescribing decisions in acute sore throat infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ease of use and in vitro accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of the five most commonly used RADTs in Europe (OSOM Ultra, Quickvue Dipstick, Streptatest, Clearview Exact Strep A and IMI Test Pack). To ensure the RADTs were evaluated objectively, a standardized in vitro method using known concentrations of GABHS was used to remove the inherent biases associated with clinical studies. The IMI Test Pack was the easiest RADT to use overall. The ability to detect all positive GABHS (sensitivity) varied considerably between kits from 95% [95% confidence interval (CI): 88-98%], for the IMI Test Pack and OSOM, to 62% (95% CI: 51-72%) for Clearview, at the highest GABHS concentration. None of the RADTs gave any false-positive results with commensal flora-they were 100% specific. The IMI Test Pack is most suitable for use in primary care, as it had high sensitivity, high specificity and was easy to use.

Sexual health guidance for GPs: the shortened version

Sexual health guidance for GPs: the shortened version

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge

GPs need evidence and guidance to help them diagnose and manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ME appropriately. The aim of this survey was to obtain baseline data and identify the factors associated with GPs' attitudes to and knowledge of CFS/ME. The attitude of GPs to the condition is an important indicator of likely prognosis. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1054 GPs served by Taunton, Bristol and Gloucester laboratories. GPs' attitudes to nine statements about CFS/ME were assessed and the factors associated with positive or negative responses were determined. Knowledge of the clinical features was also assessed. 811 GPs (77%) returned the questionnaire. 48% of GPs did not feel confident with making a diagnosis of CFS/ME and 41% did not feel confident in treatment. 72% of GPs accepted CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity and those GPs had significantly more positive attitudes. Three other key factors that were significantly, positively associated with GPs' attitudes were knowing someone socially with CFS/ME, being male and seeing more patients with the condition in the last year. Despite the publication of guidance for GPs on CFS/ME, confidence with making a diagnosis and management was found to be low. Educational initiatives and guidance for GPs should stress the importance of accepting CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity, as this is linked to having a positive attitude and could lead to improved confidence to make a diagnosis and treat CFS/ME patients.