Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical illness"’ Sort:
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The effect of physical ill health on the course of psychiatric disorder in general practice
- Authors:
- KISELY S.R., GOLDBERG D.P.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 170, June 1997, pp.536-540.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Looks at a study to determine the effect of physical morbidity on the outcome of patients with psychiatric disorder, and compares the effects of non-medically and medically explained symptoms. Results found that medically explained somatic symptoms were strongly related to psychological outcome one year later. Concludes that physical ill-health is shown to make an independent contribution to psychological outcome, and that specific needs of these patients should receive greater attention.
Out of hours runs out of time
- Author:
- WINCHESTER Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 5.8.04, 2004, pp.28-30.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
GPs' historical responsibility for patients 24 hours a day is being phased out under their new contract. Instead, out of hours emergencies will be dealt with through a helpline. Looks at the implications for the sick.
Take it from here
- Authors:
- GREASLEY Peter, SMALL Neil
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 7.3.02, 2002, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
With poverty and ill-health inextricably linked, looks at GP practices as a possible source of welfare advice.
A qualitative investigation of the impact of multimorbidity on GP diagnosis and treatment of depression in Australia
- Authors:
- STANNERS Melinda N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(8), November 2012, pp.1058-1064.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The detection of depression in patients in primary care with multiple chronic conditions is often challenging for GPs. In this study, eight GPs engaged in a semi-structured interview to discuss the impact of multimorbidity on the diagnosis and detection of depression in older people. Participants described multimorbidity as obscuring symptom causation, but also creating time to investigate causation and negotiate the depression diagnosis with the patient, and generating relationship through frequent presentations. Knowledge of the patient impacted on intervention recommendations, and trust facilitated patient receptivity. Treatment was affected by a range of variables, and included medical and social interventions. GP process for multimorbid patients is similar to that of patients with chronic illness. Further research is needed to know whether different processes or diagnostic categories are warranted where multiple chronic illnesses are present. Also, GPs recommend social interventions where medical interventions are perceived as inappropriate, but further research into the efficacy of social interventions is required.
Guidance for health professionals on medically unexplained symptoms (MUS)
- Authors:
- CHITNIS Anand, et al
- Publisher:
- Forum for Mental Health in Primary Care
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Medically unexplained symptoms can take the form of pain, functional disturbance of organ systems or complaints of fatigue or exhaustion. Despite having a strong suspicion that there is no serious medical problem, GPs worry about missing something serious. Patients may also feel unsupported and confused. This guidance highlights the importance of clinicians trusting their own psychological abilities and the strengths of their relationship with their patients. It suggests being there to reassure and also to treat any treatable symptoms. Examples of useful consultation techniques are also provided.
Sick, tired and caring: the impact of unpaid caring on health and long term conditions
- Author:
- CARERS SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Carers Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 11p.
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This report describes the results of a survey of 68 carers across Scotland. The survey investigated: the nature of the self-reported levels of ill health amongst carers; the prevalence of long term conditions; and the impact of primary health in supporting carers’ health and well-being. The survey found that 96% of respondents said that caring had impacted negatively on their health, with 27% rating their health as poor or very poor. The level of long term illness or disability was 57%, more than twice the level of the general population. Many respondents had more than 1 long term conditions: 45% suffered from significant illness including diabetes, depression and fibromyalgia or have had cancer; 68% experienced physical problems such as joint, hip, back or neck pain; 13% had respiratory problems including asthma and COPD; 11% had neurological problems including epilepsy, stroke or acquired brain injury; and 34% had high blood pressure or heart problems. More than half the respondents (54%) said they felt isolated and could not meet friends and family or take part in leisure or social activities. Almost half reported that their conditions had started after they began caring. Of those whose condition predated their caring role, a quarter said that their condition had worsened since they took on their caring role. Almost all (91%) said that their GP knew that they were a carer, but, despite this improved identification, 73% said that their GP had offered little or no help. A number of recommendations are provided.
Are patients with dementia treated as well as patients without dementia for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia?
- Authors:
- MÜTHER Johannes, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of General Practice, 60(578), September 2010, pp.671-674.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of General Practitioners
This study investigated whether GPs treated patients with dementia differently than patients without it. The authors hypothesised that explanations for this could include stigmatisation, treatment with a palliative approach, and the result of the disease process. The index diseases of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia were used to measure care. Sixteen GP’s recruited all their patients with dementia and at least one of the index diseases. Patients without dementia but only the index diseases were matched for age, sex, index disease, and practice, resulting in 216 pairs of patients with and without dementia. Findings indicated no differences in treatment outcomes between the two patients groups, except one significant difference: one of the two documented systolic blood pressure values is lower in the dementia group. Furthermore, patients with dementia more often do not receive any medication or are treated with low-priced medications for hypertension. The authors concluded that GPs did not seem to treat patients with dementia differently, and the use of lower-priced antihypertensive medication could be the only indication for some kind of difference in approach.
Improving access to primary care
- Authors:
- SEYMOUR Linda, MORRIS Brigid
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, September 2007, pp.33-35.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
In 2006 the Disability Rights Commission completed a formal enquiry into the inequalities in physical health and care experienced by people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. As part of this inquiry the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health interviewed mental health service users, people with learning disabilities, carers and health and social care professionals, managers, GP reception staff and advocates in three primary care trust areas in England and one local health board in Wales. This article reports findings from this research, highlighting both problems areas and examples of good practice. The article also suggests solutions that may help to address the inequalities in physical health and care experienced by people with mental health problem and learning disabilities.
Doctors' attitudes to the care of children with HIV in South Africa
- Authors:
- FRANSMAN D, et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 12(1), February 2000, pp.89-96.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A descriptive survey was conducted on the attitudes of medical staff to caring for HIV-infected children, in three teaching hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa. The study was designed to determine whether the knowledge of a patient's HIV-positive status affects the doctor's attitudes and management, to determine doctors' perceived competence with regard to the management of paediatric AIDS and to identify their major concerns in the management of paediatric patients with HIV infection. The study has highlighted that doctors working in a situation where the epidemic has only recently emerged perceive themselves with being inadequate with regard to managing HIV infection in children. One of the major concerns with regard to the management of patients with HIV, expressed by doctors in the study, was the lack of management protocols and policy guidelines.
Changing perceptions about sickness and work: judging capacity for work and locating responsibility for rehabilitation
- Author:
- NICE Katharine
- Journal article citation:
- Social and Public Policy Review, 2(2), 2008, Online only
- Publisher:
- University of Plymouth
- Place of publication:
- Plymouth
The Government’s welfare to work agenda is premised on changing expectations and attitudes regarding the relationship between sickness and/or disability and work. At the core is an assumption that work is a good way of enhancing the well-being of working age people. There are also economic gains in ensuring potential benefit claimants move back into employment. This paper focuses on policy around job retention and vocational rehabilitation and argues that there are lessons to be learned from research about the need to change expectations and attitudes amongst several sets of stakeholders. In 2003, the Government set out to boost the evidence base for effective practice in vocational rehabilitation through the Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilot and its focus on person-centred case management. Qualitative findings from the pilot’s evaluation show that employees’, employers’ and health professionals’ perceptions of the relationship between work and health can provide barriers to rehabilitation. This paper discusses ways of changing perceptions adopted within the pilot, and highlights the importance placed on informing and empowering individuals, collaborative working and providing timely and flexible support. In the light of these findings, recent policy announcements and plans indicating the Government’s ongoing efforts to effect change in perceptions and attitudes are critically examined.