Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical illness"’ Sort:
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Physical and social predictors of partner abuse in women attending general practice: a cross-sectional study
- Authors:
- HEGARTY Kelsey, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of General Practice, 58(552), July 2008, pp.484-487.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of General Practitioners
Intimate partner abuse causes significant morbidity and mortality in women attending general practice. Currently there is insufficient evidence for screening all women but case finding of women at risk of intimate partner abuse is recommended. This study aimed to develop physical symptoms and sociodemographic indicators for partner abuse for women attending general practice. A total of 1257 consecutive women attending general practice (response rate 77%) in Australia were screened for a history of partner abuse using a self-report questionnaire. The presence of partner abuse in the last 12 months was measured by the Composite Abuse Scale. Women who reported more than two physical symptoms in the last month were more likely to report experiencing partner abuse in the last 12 months. Many individual physical symptoms were associated with partner abuse in the bivariable analysis. Multivariable analysis showed clinical indicators of partner abuse (excluding the strong association with depression) which included sociodemographic features (age, separated/divorced, low education, low income, no private insurance) and physical symptoms (diarrhoea, tiredness, chest pain). The study concludes that clinicians should be alert for current and past partner abuse in women who are separated/divorced, on low incomes, have poor education, or have multiple physical symptoms in the past month. Future research questions include what interventions would work for women who have been or are being abused once identified.
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.
Short-term and long-term effects of an outpatient rehabilitation program for patients with musculoskeletal disorders
- Authors:
- EJLETSSON G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Scandinavian Journal of Social Welfare, 6(2), April 1997, pp.99-104.
- Publisher:
- Munksgaard/ Blackwell
Investigates whether intensified rehabilitation efforts in primary care, in Sweden, produce any short-term or long-term reduction in sick leave.
Mental health in primary care: perceptions of augmented care for individuals with serious mental illness
- Author:
- NOVER Cynthia Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 52(7), 2013, pp.656-668.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Individuals with serious mental illness are at increased risk of developing secondary physical illnesses because of lifestyle and psychiatric treatment–related factors. Many individuals with mental illness participate in primary care clinics, such as Placer County Community Clinic (PCCC), which provides primary care and medication-only psychiatric services to low-income county residents. This qualitative study describes an augmented care programme provided to this population at PCCC and explores participant experiences with that programme. The augmented programme consisted of a full-time social worker and part-time registered nurse working as a team to coordinate care between providers, and provide psychosocial education and illness management support. Previous studies have demonstrated that similar programmes result in improved clinical outcomes for people with mental illness but have largely not included perspectives of participants in these pilot programs. This article includes participant reports about medical service needs, barriers, and beneficial elements of the augmented programme. Medical service needs included the need to provide input in treatment and to be personally valued. Barriers ranged from doubts about provider qualifications to concerns about medication. Elements of the augmented care programme that participants found beneficial were those involving care coordination, social support, and weight management support. (Publisher abstract)
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.
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.
Negotiating from an inferior position: a study of women with diffuse muscular pains
- Authors:
- ESPWALL Majen, BORELL Klas, JOHANSSON Roine
- Journal article citation:
- Nordisk Sosialt Arbeid, 21(2), 2001, pp.107-118.
- Publisher:
- Universitetsforlaget AS
In the social sciences it has become increasingly common to study close social relations from a negotiation perspective. Although power differences and relations of dependence are an integral part of this research, the significance of large and systematic differences in power resources has rarely been treated. In this article the authors study the inferior negotiating position that characterizes a group of women with diffuse muscular pains. Distinguishing features of the group are that they are women, chronically ill, and with a complaint that lacks legitimacy. The results show, among other things, that the women use both negotiating and non-negotiating strategies of action in their relations with the primary network. The negotiating strategies seek to change the basic conditions of the relationship, while the use of non-negotiating strategies is a way to conceal the illness and the dependence it creates.