Internet-based indicated prevention for panic disorder: An effectiveness trial in primary care

Previous studies have shown that an internet delivered indicated prevention program for panic disorder can be effective. However, those studies were done with select populations. Most individuals who are at risk for panic disorder present to hospital emergency rooms and primary care settings. This paper reports on a study currently being undertaken in Scotland where the program is being trialed in primary care. The intervention and experimental design will be described. However the key research question is whether General Practitioners will make use of the internet-based intervention system. Preliminary results will be reported. The results of the study will have implications for the way that primary care is recruited into the prevention of mental health problems.

Reducing the time before consulting with symptoms of lung cancer:a randomised controlled trial in primary care

Background: Most individuals with lung cancer have symptoms for several months before presenting to their GP. Earlier consulting may improve survival. Aim: To evaluate whether a theory-based primary care intervention increased timely consulting of individuals with symptoms of lung cancer. Design and setting: Open randomised controlled trial comparing intervention with usual care in two general practices in north-east Scotland. Method: Smokers and ex-smokers aged ≥55 years were randomised to receive a behavioural intervention or usual care. The intervention comprised a single nurse consultation at participants' general practice and a self-help manual. The main outcomes were consultations within target times for individuals with new chest symptoms (≤3 days haemoptysis, ≤3 weeks other symptoms) in the year after the intervention commenced, and intentions about consulting with chest symptoms at 1 and 6 months. Results: Two hundred and twelve participants were randomised and 206 completed the trial. The consultation rate for new chest symptoms in the intervention group was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92 to 1.53; P = 0.18) times higher than in the usual-care group and the proportion of consultations within the target time was 1.11 (95% CI = 0.41 to 3.03; P = 0.83) times higher. One month after the intervention commenced, the intervention group reported intending to consult with chest symptoms 31 days (95% CI = 7 to 54; P = 0.012) earlier than the usual care group, and at 6 months this was 25 days (95% CI = 1.5 to 48; P = 0.037) earlier. Conclusion: Behavioural intervention in primary care shortened the time individuals at high risk of lung disease intended to take before consulting with new chest symptoms (the secondary outcome of the study), but increases in consultation rates and the proportions of consultations within target times were not statistically significant. © British Journal of General Practice.

W Primary Care Trust v TB & Ors [2009] EWHC 1737

The primary issue in this case related to TB’s clear and expressed desire to leave V, in order that she might be admitted to an NHS hospital for treatment of what she believed to be a physical, as opposed to a psychological, condition...

A pharmacy workforce survey in the West Midlands: 3 primary care pharmacists

In a study to quantify the extent of current and planned employment of primary care pharmacists (PCPs) and to explore the experiences of PCPs and the perceptions of other pharmacists who aspire to become PCPs, it was found that the satisfaction experienced by primary care pharmacists appears to offset to some extent the dissatisfaction expressed about traditional pharmacy work in community pharmacy. The high level of interest in PCP work may also be a proxy for pharmacists' dissatisfaction.