Background: General practitioners (GPs) are the central coordinators for patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy in most health care systems. They are entrusted with the challenging task of deprescribing when inappropriate polypharmacy is present. MediQuit (MQu) is a newly developed electronic tool that guides through a deprescribing consultation. It facilitates the identification of a medicine to be discontinued (stage 1), a shared decision-making process weighing the pros and cons (stage 2), and equips patients with take-home instructions on how to discontinue the drug and monitor its impact (stage 3). We here aim to evaluate utility and acceptance of MQu from GPs' and patients' perspectives.
Methods: Uncontrolled feasibility study, in which 16 GPs from two regions in Germany were invited to use MQu in consultations with their multimorbid patients. We collected quantitative data on demography, utility and acceptance of MQu and performed descriptive statistical analyses.
Results: Ten GPs performed 41 consultations using MQu. Identification (step 1) and implementation elements (Step 3) were perceived most helpful by GPs. Whereas, shared-decision making elements (step 2) revealed room for improvement. Patients appreciated the use of MQu. They were broadly satisfied with the deprescribing consultation (85%) and with their decision made regarding their medication (90%).
Conclusions: Implementation of MQu in general practice generally seems possible. Patients welcome consultations targeting medication optimization. GPs were satisfied with the support of MQu and likewise gave important hints for future development.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01852-2 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Mibu, JPN.
Introduction Electronic consultations (e-consults) refer to digital health technologies that enhance clinical information sharing and improve patients' access to expert healthcare providers. This study aims to describe the current utilization of the Internet/application-based e-consult system and to assess how effectively it resolves clinical questions. Methods Participants were general practitioners (GPs) who had installed the e-consult platform on their personal computers or cell phones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBr J Gen Pract
December 2024
University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Background: Evidence on whether general practice rates of investigation in symptomatic patients using chest x-ray (CXR) affects outcomes is equivocal.
Aim: Determine if there is an association between rates of general practice (GP) requested CXR and lung cancer outcomes.
Design And Setting: Retrospective observational study (England) Methods: Cancer registry data for patients diagnosed with lung cancer 2014-2018 was linked to data on GP CXRs 2013-2017.
PLoS One
December 2024
Institute for General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Background: A large number of individuals suffer from post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), characterised by persistent symptoms following a SARS-CoV-2 infection with an impact on daily personal and professional activities. This study aims at examining which (health) care services are used by PCC patients in the German federal state of Lower Saxony, and how these patients manage their condition. The perspectives of patients, informal caregivers and general practitioners (GPs) will be considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScand J Prim Health Care
December 2024
Center for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Objectives: To evaluate general practitioners' (GPs') ability to perform focused lung ultrasound (FLUS) following a training program and assess FLUS feasibility in general practice. Also, to describe FLUS findings and evaluate GPs' ability to interpret these in adults with acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) when pneumonia is suspected and assess GPs' perception of FLUS impact.
Methods: Nine GPs, using point-of-care ultrasound, completed a FLUS training program.
Cureus
November 2024
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ageo Central General Hospital, Ageo, JPN.
Background Determining good candidates for head and neck cancer surgery in elderly patients requires consideration of various factors, such as overall health and social background, yet specific evaluation guidelines are lacking. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) is a marker used to assess nutritional status and prognosis in cancer patients. Objective This study aims to evaluate the association between the GPS and both the prognosis and postoperative complications in reconstructive surgery cases for head and neck cancer in patients aged 80 and over.
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