The Feasibility and Efficacy of a Group-Based, Brief Transdiagnostic Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adolescents with Internalizing Problems.

The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of a group-based, brief transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for adolescents with internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depressive disorders, seeking help in a primary health care clinic in Iceland. The group-based CBT program consisted of eight weekly 110-min sessions covering psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, exposure, problem-solving, social skills, and mindfulness. The study recruited 53 participants, who were randomly assigned to either receive the group treatment or be placed on a wait-list for monitoring purposes.

Best management of patients with an acute sore throat - a critical analysis of current evidence and a consensus of experts from different countries and traditions.

Background: There is a very large body of publications discussing the management of patients with an acute sore throat. Advocates for a restrictive antibiotic policy and advocates for a more liberal use of antibiotics emphasise different and valid arguments and to date have not been able to unite in a consensus. Contradicting guidelines based on the same body of knowledge is not logical, may cause confusion and cause unwanted variation in clinical management.

Effect of group education and person-centered support in primary health care on mental health and quality of life in women aged 45-60 years with symptoms commonly associated with stress: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Mental illness and somatic symptoms are common causes of long-term sick leave for women during menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Many women experience a lack of knowledge about menopause and its associated symptoms. This study evaluates the effect of group education and person-centered individual support in primary health care (PHC) on mental health and quality of life for women in menopause with symptoms that are usually associated with stress.

Feasibility of a video-delivered mental health course for primary care patients: a single-group prospective cohort study.

Background: In many health care systems, primary care is tasked with offering psychological treatment for common mental disorders. Resources are often limited, which complicates widespread dissemination of traditional psychological treatments. Stepped care models where the less resource-intensive interventions are delivered first, can be employed, but often do not eliminate the need for a thorough diagnostic assessment, which can be time-consuming, has the potential to bottleneck patient intake, and can add to waiting times.

Validity and clinical utility of distinguishing between DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder in pathological health anxiety: Should we close the chapter?

Objective: To investigate the validity and clinical utility of distinguishing between DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and illness anxiety disorder (IAD) in pathological health anxiety: the excessive and recurrent fear of, or preoccupation with, having or developing a serious health condition.

Methods: We compared SSD to IAD in pathological health anxiety (N = 334) with regard to concurrent, antecedent, and predictive validators. This was primarily a cross-sectional study, though we studied the effect of CBT longitudinally.

The 14-item short health anxiety inventory (SHAI-14) used as a screening tool: appropriate interpretation and diagnostic accuracy of the Swedish version.

Background: The 14-item Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI-14) is a common measure of health anxiety but its screening properties have not been studied. The aims of this study were to evaluate the SHAI-14 as a screening instrument, identify cut-offs for clinically significant health anxiety and investigate which scores correspond to different severity levels.

Method: The study included 1729 psychiatric patients and 85 healthy controls.

Socio-cultural implications for women's menstrual health in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): a scoping review.

Background: Globally, experiences of menarche and subsequent menstruation are embedded in social and cultural beliefs, norms and practices. Menarche is an important developmental milestone in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for females. Menarche is intertwined with socio-cultural norms, beliefs and practices, which can impact on women's ability to manage menstruation with dignity.

Remote investigation and assessment of vital signs (RIA-VS)-proof of concept for contactless estimation of blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation in patients with suspicion of COVID-19.

Background: Vital signs are critical in assessing the severity and prognosis of infections, for example, COVID-19, influenza, sepsis, and pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate a new method for rapid camera-based non-contact measurement of heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients attending a hospital emergency department for suspected COVID-19 infection were invited to participate.

What is the optimal strategy for managing primary care patients with an uncomplicated acute sore throat? Comparing the consequences of nine different strategies using a compilation of previous studies.

Objective: Identifying optimal strategies for managing patients of any age with varying risk of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) attending for an apparently uncomplicated acute sore throat, also clarifying the role of point-of-care testing (POCT) for presence of group A beta-haemolytic (GABHS) in these settings.

Design: We compared outcomes of adhering to nine different strategies for managing these patients in primary healthcare.

Setting And Participants: The nine strategies, similar to guidelines from several countries, were tested against two validation data sets being constructs from seven prior studies.

Disparities in surgical outcomes for low socioeconomic status patients in Australia.

Background: There are disparities in surgical outcomes for patients of low socioeconomic status globally, including in countries with universal healthcare systems. There is limited data on the impact of low socioeconomic status on surgical outcomes in Australia. This study examines surgical outcomes by both self-reported unemployment and neighbourhood level socioeconomic status in Australia.

Disparities in Advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease Presentation by Socioeconomic Status.

Background: Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) often synergistically lead to foot ulceration, infection, and gangrene, which may require lower limb amputation. Worldwide there are disparities in the rates of advanced presentation of PAD for vulnerable populations. This study examined rates of advanced presentations of PAD for unemployed patients, those residing in low Index of Economic Resources (IER) areas, and those in rural areas of Australia.

Non-psychiatric Referral among First Encounter Patients Attending the Psychiatry Out Patient Services of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Pathway of psychiatric care is defined as the sequence of contacts with individuals and organizations initiated by the distressed person's efforts and his significant others to seek appropriate health care. This study aimed to find the prevalence of non-psychiatric referral as first encounter among patients attending the psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 29th March 2015 to 25th April 2015 in the outpatient department of the department of psychiatry of a tertiary via direct interview using the World Health Organization's encounter form.

Development and validation of a multivariable prediction model in open abdomen patients for entero-atmospheric fistula.

Background: Laparostomy or Open Abdomen (OA) has matured into an effective strategy in the management of abdominal catastrophe. Single prognostic factors have been identified in a previous systematic review regarding entero-atmospheric fistula (EAF). Unfortunately, no prognostic multivariable model for EAF exist.

Emergency to Elective Surgery Ratio as a Disparities Sensitive Surgical Access Metric, A Study of Low Socioeconomic Status in Australia.

Background: The emergency to elective surgery ratio is a proposed indicator for global access to surgical care. There is a well-established link between low socioeconomic status and increased morbidity and mortality. This study examined the emergency to elective surgery ratios for low socioeconomic patients utilising both self-reported unemployment and the neighbourhood Index of Economic Resources (IER).

Adaptation to a High Iodine Intake in Greenland Inuit Suggested by Thyroid Disease Pattern.

Arctic living is influenced by cold winters, short summers, and excessive iodine intake from the traditional Inuit diet providing for habitation of the Arctic for centuries. This is changing and we surveyed thyroid function in populations living in Greenland. Population-based cross-sectional study.

The external realities of people with type 2 diabetes-Understanding disease perspective and self-management behaviour via Grounded Theory Approach.

Background: Qualitative strategies can uncover the relationship between the external realities of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the barriers that are associated with disease self-management. Information from in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) can be used to devise psychological models that could potentially facilitate behaviour changes in people with T2D. We aim to identify salient factors that govern the external realities of people with T2D in relation to disease management.

Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis: An unusual cause of referred knee pain.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in adults is rare and regarded as an 'orphan disease.' The systemic symptoms of LCH can mimic many other undifferentiated diseases seen at the primary care level. Failure to diagnose and delays in referral are common pitfalls in the management of this disease.

Supporting holistic care for patients with tuberculosis in a remote Indigenous community: a case report.

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease with high rates of morbidity and mortality if left untreated. In Australia, TB has been virtually eradicated in non-Indigenous Australian-born populations but in remote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities TB presents a rare but significant public health issue. Remote health services are most likely to encounter patients with suspected and confirmed TB diagnosis but may be unprepared for supporting someone with this disease and the complexities of balancing public health risk with patient autonomy.

The Internal Realities of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Mediators Influencing Self-Management Beliefs via Grounded Theory Approach.

There has been an unabated rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide. Although T2D is highly preventable, these trends suggest that a paradigm change is much needed in the way both clinicians and policy makers view what effective T2D strategies conventionally entail. Hence, it is becoming increasingly clear that T2D patients require more than just a pharmacological approach to their disease.

The internal realities of individuals with type 2 diabetes - a functional framework of self-management practices via Grounded Theory approach.

Background: An upward trend is observed in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in South-East Asian and Western Pacific regions. These patterns incur a costly health burden to developing nations around the world. A clear understanding of the mechanics behind self-management practices of T2D patients might help overcome this impasse.