Expert articles
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Hot topicStay focused on infection control to anticipate the next crisis
Lauren Hurley explores how a renewed awareness of the importance of infection prevention and control should be maintained to manage future challenges
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Top tips
Top tips: social prescribing in general practice
Dr Vasumathy Sivarajasingam offers eight top tips on maximising the benefits of social prescribing for the provision of personalised, holistic patient care
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Hot topic
Self care should be central to the future of healthcare
The pandemic has changed attitudes to self care and enhanced its role; Dr Peter Smith explores how it developed, and its importance for sustainable healthcare
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Top tips
Top tips: identifying domestic abuse
Dr Vasumathy Sivarajasingam offers 10 top tips on the role of the GP in identifying and supporting patients experiencing domestic abuse
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Implementing guidelines
Obesity management requires a holistic, health-centred approach
Dr Rachel Pryke presents a summary of consensus guidance that aims to help practitioners in primary care to support patients living with obesity with weight management
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Implementing guidelines
Prenatal alcohol exposure: identification improves outcomes
Dr Jenny Bennison summarises the SIGN guideline on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and highlights the role of primary care in identifying children who are at risk
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Top tips
Top tips: talking about weight
Jane Diggle and Dr Pam Brown offer 10 top tips on initiating conversations about weight and motivating people to make healthy changes
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Top tips
Top tips: alcohol dependency
Dr Stephen Willott provides 10 top tips for assessing alcohol dependency in primary care including how to manage patients presenting in crisis
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Implementing guidelines
E-cigarettes can be a useful tool for helping smokers to quit
Louise Ross summarises the latest recommendations from NICE on stop smoking interventions and services and highlights the relevant points for primary care
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Implementing guidelines
Common infections: when is the right time to prescribe an antimicrobial?
Sarah Alton and Professor Cliodna McNulty discuss the updated PHE guidance on managing and treating common infections and what it means for clinicians in primary care
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Implementing guidelines
Educating patients on antimicrobial use is key to combating resistance
Charlotte Eley and Professor Cliodna McNulty discuss NICE Guideline 63 on antimicrobial stewardship, and explain what steps can be taken to reduce antimicrobial prescribing
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Top tips
Top tips: helping smokers to quit
Jane Wright shares 10 key points on how to support patients in their efforts to quit smoking
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Implementing guidelines
Controlled drugs: robust systems and processes are needed
Cathy Cooke discusses recommendations in NICE Guideline 46 on the safe use and management of controlled drugs
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NICE quality standard article
Medicines optimisation: shared decision-making with patients is key
Dr Martin Duerden discusses how the NICE quality statements on medicines optimisation can improve patient satisfaction and ensure safer prescribing
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NICE quality standard article
GPs need to signpost children with obesity to good local services
Professor Julian Hamilton-Shield explains the thinking behind the NICE quality standard on prevention and lifestyle weight management in children and young people with obesity
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Hot topic
From smoking to vaping to quitting: a nurses’ guide
Louise Ross describes how practice nurses can capture the potential of electronic cigarettes to help their patients stop smoking
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Implementing guidelines
Medicines optimisation requires greater patient involvement
Dr Weeliat Chong reviews NICE Guideline 5 on medicines optimisation, outlining the importance of a patient-professional partnership approach
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Implementing guidelines
GPs should tailor weight-loss advice to individuals’ needs
Dr Peymane Adab reviews the newly published NICE guideline on maintaining a healthy weight and preventing excess weight gain and the pivotal role of primary care
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Hot topic
Could electronic cigarettes help to end the smoking epidemic?
Louise Ross shares the positive impact national guidance on electronic cigarettes has had on her local stop smoking service and encourages smokers and practitioners to read it
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Hot topic
GPs can offer obese children and their families practical help
Dr Sonia Saxena (left) and Dr Anthony A. Laverty share some useful tips on how to engage with families about weight problems in overweight and obese children
