Triggering Weight Management Using Digital Avatars: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: There is evidence that showing motivated people with a less-than-ideal BMI (>25 kg/m) digital and personalized images of their future selves with reduced body weight will likely trigger them to achieve that new body weight.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess whether digital avatars can trigger weight management action and identify some of the measurable factors that distinguish those who may be triggered.

Methods: A prospective cohort study followed participants for 12 weeks through 5 recorded interviews.

Patients' attitudes and intentions towards taking medical advice for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a theory of planned behaviour analysis.

Purpose: A key component of effective diabetes care is understanding patients' perceptions about diabetes management. Patients' attitudes and intentions towards taking medical advice may predict the outcomes for effective diabetes care. This study aims to measure participants' attitudes, beliefs and intentions towards following medical advice to manage their diabetes using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).

Epidemiology of soccer-related head injury in children 5-14 years in Victoria, Australia.

Aim: Our aim was to use epidemiological data to determine the incidence of soccer-related head injuries in children aged 5-14 years who presented at emergency departments (EDs) or were admitted in hospitals in Victoria, Australia.

Methods: ED presentation and hospital admission de-identified aggregate data were from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit. Soccer participation data were compared with the soccer-related head injury data to determine the incidence of this injury among these children.

How does the duration of consults vary for upper respiratory tract infections in general practice where an antibiotic has been prescribed?

Background: There is limited data on the duration of consults resulting in the prescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in general practice.

Objective: To explore how demographic factors influence consult duration where antibiotics have been prescribed for URTI in Australian general practice.

Methods: 2985 URTI-specific presentations were identified from a national study of patients who were prescribed an antibiotic after presenting to general practice between June and September 2017.

Symptom profile of patients receiving antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections in general practice: an observational study using smartphone technology.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a common presentation in general practice and are linked to high rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescription. There is limited information about the trajectory of patients with this condition who have been prescribed antibiotics.

Objective: To document the symptom profile of patients receiving antibiotics for URTIs in Australian general practice using smartphone technology and online surveys.

A process for developing standards to promote quality in general practice.

Background: Since 1991, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' (RACGP) Standards for General Practices (the Standards) have provided a framework for quality care, risk management and best practice in the operation of Australian general practices. The Standards are also linked to incentives for general practice remuneration. These Standards were revised in 2017.

How are junior doctors managing patients with self-limiting illnesses at their first presentation? A video vignette study.

Purpose: To conduct a video vignette survey of medical students and doctors investigating test ordering for patients presenting with self-limiting or minor illness.

Methods: Participants were shown six video vignettes of common self-limiting illnesses and invited to devise investigation and management plans for the patients' current presentation. The number of tests ordered was compared with those recommended by an expert panel.

Do images of a personalised future body shape help with weight loss? A randomised controlled study.

Background: This randomised controlled study evaluated a computer-generated future self-image as a personalised, visual motivational tool for weight loss in adults.

Methods: One hundred and forty-five people (age 18-79 years) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 25 kg/m were randomised to receive a hard copy future self-image at recruitment (early image) or after 8 weeks (delayed image). Participants received general healthy lifestyle information at recruitment and were weighed at 4-weekly intervals for 24 weeks.

A model for assessment and referral of clients with bowel symptoms in community pharmacies.

Background: To expedite diagnosis of serious bowel disease, efforts are required to signpost patients with high-risk symptoms to appropriate care. Community pharmacies are a recognized source of health advice regarding bowel symptoms. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a validated self-administered questionnaire, Jodi Lee Test (JLT), for detection, triage, and referral of bowel symptoms suggestive of carcinoma, in pharmacies.

Helping lay carers of people with advanced cancer and their GPs to talk: an exploration of Australian users' views of a simple carer health checklist.

The lay caregiving role is integral to advanced cancer care but places carers' health at risk. A supportive General Practitioner (GP) can help primary lay carers manage their health, if they disclose their concerns. A Needs Assessment Tool for Caregivers (NAT-C) was developed for carers to self-complete and use as the basis of a GP consultation, then tested in a randomised controlled trial.

Impact of geography on the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review of geocoded clinical data from general practice.

Objective: To review the clinical data for people with diabetes mellitus with reference to their location and clinical care in a general practice in Australia.

Materials And Methods: Patient data were extracted from a general practice in Western Australia. Iterative data-cleansing steps were taken.

Can a community of practice enhance a palliative approach for people drawing close to death with dementia?

This action research study was conducted to trial a strategy intended to support a consistent, high-quality, palliative approach for people with dementia drawing close to death-the implementation of a community of practice. Professionals from community/residential care and hospitals formed this community of practice, which took on the role of an action research group. The group was supported to identify and address practice problems.

Notice of Retraction: Srirangaraj S, Kali A, Charles MVP. Antibiotic screening of urine culture as a tool for internal quality audit.

[This retracts the article on p. 73 in vol. 7, PMID: 24611076.

Do Patients Treated for Colorectal Cancer Benefit from General Practitioner Support? A Video Vignette Study.

Background: Patients who have been treated for colorectal cancer in Australia can consult their general practitioner (GP) for advice about symptoms or side effects at any time following their treatment. However, there is no evidence that such patients are consistently advised by GPs, and patients experience substantial unmet need for reassurance and advice.

Objective: To explore the patient management options selected by GPs to treat a set of patients describing their symptoms following treatment for colorectal cancer.

The profile of patients with chronic kidney disease who regularly present at an Australian general practice.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common, serious and mostly asymptomatic condition that places considerable burden on the Australian healthcare system. Yet there is limited information on the patients with CKD who present to Australian primary care services, which represent the gateway to specialized care.

Methods: Data pertaining to 31,897 patients who presented to a general practice in Western Australia, from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2014 (inclusive), were extracted for review.

How do general practitioners manage patients with cancer symptoms? A video-vignette study.

Objectives: Determine how general practitioners (GPs) manage patients with cancer symptoms.

Design: GPs reviewed 24 video-vignettes and case notes on patients with cancer symptoms and indicated whether they would refer the patient and/or prescribe medication, and/or undertake further investigation. According to available guidelines, all cases warranted a referral to a specialist or further investigations.

Weight management practices and evidence for weight loss through primary care: a brief review.

Objective: The optimal role for primary care in the management of overweight and obesity is yet to be determined. This review examines current weight management practices in primary care and summarizes the evidence for weight loss interventions based in primary care settings.

Research Design And Methods: PubMed was searched for literature on weight management in primary care published from 2000 onwards.

Do patients with long-term side effects of cancer treatment benefit from general practitioner support? A literature review.

Background: Alongside specialist cancer clinics, general practitioners have an important role in cancer patients' follow-up care, yet no literature summarises the nature, extent and impact of their involvement. This paper addresses this issue through a review of the literature.

Methods: Studies were sourced from six academic databases - AustHealth (n = 202), CINAHL (n = 500), the Cochrane Library (reviews and trials; n = 200), Embase (n = 368), PHCRIS (n = 132) and PubMed/Medline (n = 410).

Development of a patient-administered self-assessment tool (SATp) for follow-up of colorectal cancer patients in general practice.

Background: Treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) may result in physical, social, and psychological needs that affect patients' quality of life post-treatment. A comprehensive assessment should be conducted to identify these needs in CRC patients post treatment, however, there is a lack of tools and processes available in general practice.

Aims: This study aimed to develop a patient-completed needs screening tool that identifies potentially unmet physical, psychological, and social needs in CRC and facilitates consultation with a general practitioner (GP) to address these needs.

Do Men Know Which Lower Bowel Symptoms Warrant Medical Attention? A Web-Based Video Vignette Survey of Men in Western Australia.

The current study aims to explor how men would advise other men about seeking help for lower bowel symptoms and also to determine the factors that may influence help seeking. A purposive sample of Western Australian men aged 18 years and older was recruited for the study. Participants completed 8 of the 28 randomly assigned video vignettes (video clips) displaying men (older or younger) with various combinations of one or more lower bowel symptoms.

Quality of referrals and guideline compliance for time to consultation at an acute neurovascular clinic.

Background: The Age, Blood pressure, Clinical features, Duration of symptoms, Diabetes (ABCD2) score can be used to predict early recurrent stroke risk following Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Given that recurrent stroke risk can be as high as 20% in the first week, international guidelines recommend "high-risk" TIAs (ABCD2 >3) be seen by specialist services such as dedicated acute neurovascular clinics within 24 hours. The goal of this study was to examine the associations of both quality of referrals to a specialist acute clinic and of "guideline congruence" of time-to-clinic consultation after TIA/minor stroke.

Preliminary findings of how visual demonstrations of changes to physical appearance may enhance weight loss attempts.

This study reports how showing a person an illustration of themselves following future weight-loss might impact on their actual future weight-loss. Weight was recorded weekly, 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after the intervention. A significant proportion of the 44 participants lost weight following the intervention: 17 vs.

Will Australians pay for health care advice from a community pharmacist? A video vignette study.

Background: Large proportion of Australians have access to pharmacists' health advice at no cost. The impact of a proposed co-payment levy for general practitioner (GP) consultation by Australian government is unclear. This raises an interesting question about consumers' perceived value of health-related consultations.