Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of teledermatology in Swiss primary care: process analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Rationale, Aim And Objective: To test feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of dermatologist's feedback based on digital images of skin lesions collected in Swiss primary care.

Methods: This was a process analysis of a randomized controlled trial, conducted in 2011/2012. 30 of 78 general practitioners (GPs) were randomized to an intervention, which included dermatologist's feedback on digital images of skin lesions.

The role of skin self-examination at the Swiss skin cancer day.

Background: The rising incidence of melanoma - Switzerland has the highest incidence in Europe - is a major public health challenge. Swiss dermatologist introduced the "Swiss Skin Cancer Day" (SSCD) in 2006, which provides skin cancer screening at no costs. The aim of the study was to describe the participating subjects and their motivation and investigate factors influencing the probability of a clinical diagnosis of skin malignancy.

The patient's perspective of placebo use in daily practice: a qualitative study.

Questions Under Study: The use of placebo outside of randomised controlled trials raises ethical and legal issues. So far, patients' perspectives have been considered only in quantitative studies. These studies did not distinguish between pure placebos (no pharmacological effect) and impure placebos (pharmacological ingredient, but no disease-specific effect).

[Skin cancer in primary care: frequency, need to further education and subjective diagnostic certainty. A cross sectional survey among general practitioners in Canton of Zurich].

Background: Incidence of malignant skin lesions is rising in Switzerland. We wanted to assess the frequency of patients with suspicious skin lesions in daily practice. Furthermore, we asked for diagnostic certainty and the need of further education in skin cancer.

Diagnostic competence of Swiss general practitioners in skin cancer.

Questions Under Study: In Switzerland, skin cancer is one of the most prevalent neoplasms. General practitioners (GPs) are often faced with suspicious skin lesions in their patients. The aim of our study was to assess GPs' competence to diagnose skin cancer and to examine whether this can be improved by a one-day dermatologic education programme.

Career after successful medical board examination in general practice--a cross-sectional survey.

Question Under Study: Switzerland is facing a shortage of general practitioners (GPs). Knowledge of the factors influencing career choice is crucial for increasing the attractiveness of general practice. The aim of our study was to report the working conditions of recently certified GPs and the effect of vocational training in general practice on GP skills and knowledge, and economic skills.

[Pre travel advice - a study among Swiss general practitioners].

Up to 65 % of travellers seek pre-travel advice at their general practitioner. Professionals should inform about the most common and most dangerous health threats, requiring up-to-date knowledge about epidemiology of respective disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the content of pre-travel advice given by general practitioners in order to provide them with better expert support from travel medicine specialists.

General practitioners' experiences, attitudes, and opinions regarding the pneumococcal vaccination for adults: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae generate substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite official recommendations to vaccinate everyone over the age of 64, the estimated vaccination rate for this target population is around 2%. In Switzerland, pneumococcal vaccinations are for the most part provided by general practitioners (GPs); in addition, a small number of patients get vaccinated during a hospital stay.

Attitudes, barriers and facilitators for health promotion in the elderly in primary care. A qualitative focus group study.

Questions Under Study: Effective health promotion is of great importance from clinical as well as from public health perspectives and therefore should be encouraged. Especially regarding health promotion in the elderly, general practitioners (GPs) have a key role. Nevertheless, evidence suggests a lack of health promotion by GPs, especially in this age group.

Screening and prevention in Swiss primary care: a systematic review.

Background And Objectives: Prevention is a challenging area of primary care. In Switzerland, little is known about attitudes to and performance of screening and prevention services in general practice. To implement prevention services in primary care it is important to know about not only potential facilitators but also barriers.

Gaps in continuity of care at the interface between primary care and specialized care: general practitioners' experiences and expectations.

Introduction: Discontinuity of care at the interface between inpatient and outpatient management can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Appropriate communication and flow of information is indispensable to ensure continuity of care. Consequently, the aim of this study was to assess general practitioners' (GPs) experiences of cooperation with a university hospital, as well as their needs and obvious barriers regarding an optimized information flow.

minSKIN does a multifaceted intervention improve the competence in the diagnosis of skin cancer by general practitioners? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: In Switzerland, skin cancer is one of the most common neoplasms. Melanoma is the most aggressive one and can be lethal if not detected and removed on time. Nonmelanoma skin cancer is more frequent as melanoma; it is seldom lethal but can disfigure patients in advanced stages.