Article
Infectious Diseases
Ruby Biezen, Kirsty Buising, Tim Monaghan, Rachael Ball, Karin Thursky, Ron Cheah, Malcolm Clark, Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis
Summary: Improper antimicrobial prescribing leads to increased antimicrobial resistance. An antimicrobial stewardship program was developed to optimize prescribing in general practice, including activities such as audit and feedback, clinical decision support, and education. The study evaluated the implementation of this program in three general practices in Melbourne, Australia, finding that the activities were acceptable to GPs if they aligned with their decision-making process and workflow. However, potential barriers identified were the time needed to coordinate the program and the costs of implementation.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Konstantinos Vazouras, Charlotte Jackson, Laura Folgori, Anastasia Anastasiou-Katsiardani, Yingfen Hsia, Romain Basmaci
Summary: The aim of this study was to define a set of UTIs-specific quality indicators for appropriate prescribing in children and evaluate clinical practices in a Greek district general hospital. Twelve quality indicators were adapted or developed for prescribing in childhood UTIs. The study identified substantial gaps for improvement in antimicrobial prescribing for UTIs in children, and the proposed quality indicators could help to limit unnecessary antibiotics use.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Marije T. Winkel, Birgit A. Damoiseaux-Volman, Ameen Abu-Hanna, Birgit I. Lissenberg-Witte, Rob J. van Marum, Henk J. Schers, Pauline Slottje, Annemarie A. Uijen, Jettie Bont, Otto R. Maarsingh
Summary: This study aimed to determine the association between personal continuity and potentially inappropriate prescriptions among older patients. The findings suggest that a higher level of personal continuity is associated with more appropriate prescribing, which can improve the quality of prescriptions and reduce harmful consequences.
ANNALS OF FAMILY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rikke Vognbjerg Sydenham, Dorte Ejg Jarbol, Malene Plejdrup Hansen, Ulrik Stenz Justesen, Verity Watson, Line Bjornskov Pedersen
Summary: This study aimed to assess factors influencing Danish GPs' decision to prescribe antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and identify different segments of GPs influenced by these factors. The results showed that the CRP value was the most important factor influencing GPs' decision to prescribe antibiotics, while other factors had heterogeneous effects on GPs.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Stefan Cox, Kelly Lo-A-Foe, Minke van Hoof, Geert-Jan Dinant, Guy Oudhuis, Paul Savelkoul, Jochen Cals, Eefje de Bont
Summary: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason for women to visit a general practitioner, but there is often a discrepancy between prescribed antibiotics and established guidelines. Researchers have conducted interventions to improve GPs' prescribing behavior, and found that these interventions have some positive effects on antibiotic prescriptions for UTIs.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laila Tanana, Christopher Harrison, Prasad S. Nishtala, Timothy F. Chen
Summary: General practitioners in Australia have been increasingly prescribing psychotropic medicines to pediatric patients. Female, older, socio-economically disadvantaged, and English-speaking patients are more likely to receive psychotropic medications. Depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and autism are the most common indications for psychotropic medication use.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Primary Health Care
Su Wood, Robbie Foy, Thomas A. Willis, Paul Carder, Stella Johnson, Sarah Alderson
Summary: In this study, general practice staff were found to prioritize reducing opioid prescribing. Some practices were encouraged to make changes through feedback. The non-prescriptive nature of the feedback reports allowed practices to develop strategies consistent with their own ways of working and existing resources.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Primary Health Care
Camilla Aakjaer Andersen, Timothy C. Guetterman, Michael D. Fetters, John Brodersen, Annette Sofie Davidsen, Ole Graumann, Martin Bach Jensen
Summary: Researchers aimed to understand general practitioners' views on appropriate ultrasound use and compare them with actual practices. They found discrepancies between the two, highlighting the need for evidence-based guidelines and training for general practitioners.
ANNALS OF FAMILY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Akke Vellinga, Addiena Luke-Currier, Nathaly Garzon-Orjuela, Rune Aabenhus, Marilena Anastasaki, Anca Balan, Femke Boehmer, Valerija Bralic Lang, Slawomir Chlabicz, Samuel Coenen, Ana Garcia-Sangenis, Anna Kowalczyk, Lile Malania, Angela Tomacinschii, Sanne R. van der Linde, Emily Bongard, Christopher C. Butler, Herman Goossens, Alike W. van der Velden
Summary: This study examined the antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in general practices across European countries. The findings showed that some countries did not meet the appropriate prescribing standards for certain types of infections, and the antibiotic usage rates differed among countries, with Denmark and Spain having lower rates compared to others.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Alexandra M. McKenna, Effie Ioannidou, David B. Banach
Summary: This study analyzed antibiotic prescribing practices by periodontal faculty and residents in an academic setting, revealing that post-procedural prophylaxis was the most common indication for antibiotic use. There is an urgent need to study the role of post-procedural prophylactic antibiotics and optimize prescribing practices in periodontal disease management.
JOURNAL OF PERIODONTOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kelley Kilpatrick, Eric Nguemeleu Tchouaket, Maud-Christine Chouinard, Isabelle Savard, Naima Bouabdillah, Julie Houle, Genevieve St-Louis, Mira Jabbour, Renee Atallah
Summary: This study aims to review systematic reviews to describe the current state of knowledge about indicators sensitive to PHCNP practice using recognized role definitions. The outcomes of interest include any outcome indicator measuring the effectiveness of PHCNPs. The search will be limited to 2010 onwards to capture the most up-to-date trends.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Katarina Bardheci, Levy Jager, Lorenz Risch, Thomas Rosemann, Jakob M. Burgstaller, Stefan Markun
Summary: There is substantial variation among general practitioners in Switzerland when it comes to testing and prescribing vitamin B12, particularly in cases of idiopathic fatigue and depressive symptoms. Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin B12 for idiopathic fatigue, as well as to address discordant mindsets among GPs through targeted educational interventions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Peter Simos, Ian Scott
Summary: Using the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) can help identify low-risk patients without cardiac abnormalities, reducing the need for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in general medicine patients with syncope or presyncope.
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Takuya Aoki, Yasuki Fujinuma, Masato Matsushima
Summary: This study found that compared with hospital-based primary care practices, clinic-based primary care practices were associated with lower polypharmacy rates, better patient experience in terms of coordination and community orientation, and lower rates of poor self-rated health among patients with complex multimorbidity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanna Gentile, Ottavia De Luca, Antonio Del Casale, Gerardo Salerno, Maurizio Simmaco, Marina Borro
Summary: Improper drug prescription is a major problem leading to drug-related harms and healthcare resource wastage. Through genomic profiling, we found that only 14.8% of Italian subjects had a fully normal cytochrome profile, while 26.5% had combined cytochrome dysfunction. The discussion focuses on the potential benefits of comprehensive pharmacogenomic testing in polytreated patients to improve drug selection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Dharmenaan Palamuthusingam, Elaine M. Pascoe, Carmel M. Hawley, David W. Johnson, Gishan Ratnayake, Stephen McDonald, Neil Boudville, Matthew Jose, Magid Fahim
Summary: This study assessed the concordance between comorbidities recorded in the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry and those in state-based hospital admission datasets. The results showed that the accuracy of diabetes mellitus recording was the highest, while the accuracy of cerebrovascular disease recording was the lowest.
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Woldesellassie M. Bezabhe, Gregory M. Peterson
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stella T. Lartey, Thomas Lung, Sarah Serhal, Luke Bereznicki, Bonnie Bereznicki, Lynne Emmerton, Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich, Bandana Saini, Laurent Billot, Ines Krass, Carol Armour, Stephen Jan
Summary: This study aimed to estimate healthcare expenditure and determine the factors that increase expenditure in Australians with poorly controlled asthma. It found that increasing age, unemployment, worsening quality of life, and diagnosis of depression and anxiety were associated with higher healthcare costs. Programs addressing strategies to improve the quality of life and manage co-morbidities may result in significant cost savings to the health system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thilini Sudeshika, Mark Naunton, Gregory M. Peterson, Louise S. Deeks, Line Guenette, Ravi Sharma, Christopher Freeman, Theo Niyonsenga, Sam Kosari
Summary: With the development of team-based care, pharmacists have been integrated into general practice teams in many countries to enhance medication use and patient safety. However, there is limited evidence on the collaboration and effectiveness of pharmacists in general practice. This study aimed to compare interprofessional collaboration and team effectiveness of general practice pharmacists in Australia, Canada, and the UK and identify associated factors. The results showed high levels of collaboration and similar team effectiveness among general practice pharmacists from these countries. Long-term employment and longer work hours were found to enhance collaboration and effectiveness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ahmed M. Gharib, Ivan K. Bindoff, Gregory M. Peterson, Mohammed S. Salahudeen
Summary: Computer-based simulations are an innovative and cost-effective approach that can be utilized more in pharmacy practice education. This review identifies 29 unique simulators described in the literature, with only eight currently available. The characteristics of these simulators are examined through eight main criteria, and educators are encouraged to choose the product that best aligns with their teaching goals.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Georgina L. Irish, Laura Cuthbertson, Alex Kitsos, Tim Saunder, Philip A. Clayton, Matthew D. Jose
Summary: This study externally validated the Tangri et al Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) in an Australian population, and found that the KFRE performs well in predicting progression to kidney failure. The KFRE can be used by clinicians and service planners for individualized risk prediction.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thilini Sudeshika, Louise S. Deeks, Mark Naunton, Gregory M. Peterson, Sam Kosari
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the potential outcomes of pharmacist-led activities in Australian general practices. The majority of pharmacists' activities were related to medication management services, with 75% of their recommendations fully accepted by general practitioners. About 50% of the clinical activities had the potential for a moderate or major positive impact on patients, and 63% had the potential to decrease healthcare costs. Almost all pharmacist-led clinical activities had a positive impact on the organization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Adane Teshome Kefale, Woldesellassie M. Bezabhe, Gregory M. Peterson
Summary: This review study found that discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation increased the risk of stroke and mortality, but did not significantly affect the risk of major bleeding.
EXPERT REVIEW OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Woldesellassie M. Bezabhe, Jan Radford, Mohammed S. Salahudeen, Ivan Bindoff, Tristan Ling, Peter Gee, Barbara C. Wimmer, Gregory M. Peterson
Summary: This study found a decline in psychotropic prescribing in Australian primary care patients with dementia from 2011 to 2020, especially for antipsychotics. However, psychotropic polypharmacy still occurred in almost one in five patients with dementia at the end of the study period.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ahmed M. Gharib, Gregory M. Peterson, Ivan K. Bindoff, Mohammed S. Salahudeen
Summary: Computer-based simulation (CBS) is an interactive pedagogical training method that has gained increased attention. However, its adoption in pharmacy education lags behind other healthcare disciplines. This systematic review explores potential barriers to integrating CBS in pharmacy practice education and provides suggestions to overcome them.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Katie Cundale, Stephen P. Mcdonald, Ashley Irish, Matthew D. Jose, Jillian Diack, Matilda D'Antoine, Kelli J. Owen, Jaquelyne T. Hughes
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Adane Teshome Kefale, Woldesellassie M. Bezabhe, Gregory M. Peterson
Summary: This study investigated the prescription rate of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in low-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and identified associated factors. It also described incident bleeding events in these patients. The results showed that 25.1% of low-risk AF patients received OACs within 60 days of diagnosis. Older age and the period following the widespread availability of direct-acting OACs were associated with a higher likelihood of OAC prescription. However, using OACs did not increase the rate of bleeding compared to non-users.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Imogen Jones, Fiona Cocker, Matthew Jose, Michael Charleston, Amanda L. Neil
Summary: The aim of this scoping review is to summarize the techniques used for network analysis of multimorbidity and provide recommendations for a standardized methodology. The results show a lack of recommended standard methods for calculating and displaying networks in multimorbidity. There is also a need for greater detail and transparency in reporting the methodology and software used. Further investigation is required to determine the most appropriate measure of association for network analysis in multimorbidity.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH-HEIDELBERG
(2023)