BJGP (British Journal of General Practice)

Abstract Background Prescribing patterns in primary care could demonstrate early clinical features of cancer and windows of opportunity for timely investigation. Aim Analyse primary care prescription patterns prior to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Design and Setting Retrospective cohort study using linked primary care and cancer registry data from patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in England between 2011-2018.

Clinician empathy is known to improve a range of outcomes in face-to-face primary care consultations, but there is limited evidence regarding its impact in telephone consultations (TCs).

Method A pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in Dutch primary care; the process is outlined in Figure 1. Dutch GPs serve as the primary care provider for children and gatekeep referrals to specialist paediatric care. Cluster randomisation was chosen at the GP practice level to prevent contamination. Dutch GP practices were randomised by an investigator, who was not involved in the trial, using a computer-generated list with varying block sizes at a 1:1 ratio.

Abstract Background: Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) were introduced into primary care in England for patients living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), polypharmacy, increased frailty, in care homes or at risk of medicines-related harm. SMRs aim to optimise the therapeutic potential of medication and reduce medicine-related harms through holistic reviews.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention is a policy priority due to widening inequalities and increasing preventable deaths. The NHS Health Checks (NHS-HC) programme aims to promote early detection and prevention of CVD but has wider reaching impacts due to targeting multiple risk factors. While programme evaluations demonstrate improvements in detection and surrogate markers, mortality outcomes remain limited, particularly in representative, real-world data.

Abstract Background: Primary palliative care is symptom support and care for people with life-limiting illnesses incorporated within standard primary care. Early identification of needs is best practice. There is limited research concerning ethnicity and primary palliative care identification and coding. Aim: To explore associations between ethnicity and primary palliative care identification and coding.

Abstract Background Prioritisation is an increasing part of a GP’s workload, though learning this skill is usually left to on-the-job training. Little is known about how experienced GPs prioritise their workload.

Abstract Background It is widely recognised that continuity of GP care should be improved. This requires a continuity measure, applicable in all practices. Previous measures have limitations. Aim To develop an improved measure of continuity and compare its performance with established measures. Design and Setting One-year pilot in two general practices using audit data.

Abstract Background Domestic and family violence (DFV) is common worldwide and general practitioners (GPs) are not immune. DFV survivors frequently present to primary care where GP DFV survivors often encounter them. Little literature and no qualitative studies look at the emotional and professional effects that these encounters have on survivor GPs, including how it affects their ability to care for survivor patients.

Method The study was prospectively registered on ISRCTN on 30 October 2020 (reference number: 17936080). Full details of the study methods are available in the 6-month published data.33 Invitation Participants were invited from GP practices over 3 years from 12 December 2020 to 7 April 2023.