Family Medicine Update

Qualities men value when communicating with general practitioners: implications for primary care settings.

Med J Aust. 2008 Dec 1-15;189(11-12):618-21

Authors: Smith JA, Braunack-Mayer AJ, Wittert GA, Warin MJ

OBJECTIVE: To determine the core qualities that men value when communicating with general practitioners in primary care settings. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews in non-clinical environments, 36 white Australian men drawn from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study, stratified by age and marital status, discussed their help-seeking behaviour and health service use. Participants were from the North West Adelaide region. Interviews were conducted between January and November 2005. RESULTS: The core qualities men value when communicating with GPs in primary care settings include the adoption of a “frank approach”, demonstrable competence, thoughtful use of humour, empathy, and prompt resolution of health issues. CONCLUSIONS: The core qualities men value when communicating with GPs are concordant with most key dimensions of a patient-centred approach, but not necessarily all. Adopting these qualities has the potential to enhance communication with and care of men in primary care settings.

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What are the most practical primary care screens for post-traumatic stress disorder?

J Fam Pract. 2009 Feb;58(2):100-1

Authors: Davis SM, Whitworth JD, Rickett K

The 4-item Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder screen (PC-PTSD) is a simple and effective tool to identify symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in primary care patients (strength of recommendation [SOR]: 1 good-quality prospective cohort study and 1 good-quality retrospective cohort study). The 7-item Breslau screen also predictably identifies patients with PTSD symptoms (SOR: 1 good-quality prospective cohort study).

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A nurse led model of chronic disease care – an interim report.

Aust Fam Physician. 2008 Dec;37(12):1030-2

Authors: Eley DS, Del Mar CB, Patterson E, Synnott RL, Baker PG, Hegney D

BACKGROUND: Chronic condition management in general practice is projected to account for 50% of all consultations by 2051. General practices under present workforce conditions will be unable to meet this demand. Nurse led collaborative care models of chronic disease management have been successful overseas and are proposed as one solution. OBJECTIVE: This article provides an interim report on a prospective randomised trial to investigate the acceptability, cost effectiveness and feasibility of a nurse led model of care for chronic conditions in Australian general practice. METHOD: A qualitative study focused on the impact of this model of care through the perceptions of practice staff from one urban and one regional practice in Queensland, and one Victorian rural practice. DISCUSSION: Primary benefits of the collaborative care model focused on increased efficiency and communication between practice staff and patients. The increased degree of patient self responsibility was noted by all and highlights the motivational aspect of chronic disease management.

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