Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
The latest issue of the College’s academic journal, the Journal of Primary Health Care, has just been published. This issue covers a wide range of topics which will be of interest to those working in primary care.
Featured articles
Guidelines, training and quality assurance: influence on general practitioner MRI referral quality
This New Zealand study reports on the effect on patient care of expanding MRI access to GPs.
Of the type 2 diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycaemics in this study, half were non-adherent.
This report illustrates the clinical application of recent insights into neuroplasticity and individually tailored patient self-management.
Health navigation and interpreting services for patients with limited English proficiency
The roles of navigators and interpreters need to be clearly defined, and carefully targeted to address access barriers.
Educational pamphlets for improving uptake of cancer screening: a systematic review
This review evaluates the effectiveness of pamphlets as a standalone intervention for increasing cancer screening uptake among asymptomatic patients.
Abortion law reform – what it means for primary care
In this guest editorial, the author reviews New Zealand’s existing and proposed abortion services and reminds readers that bringing abortion out from under the criminal justice system does not necessarily translate into better care.
This paper shows that a new varicose vein treatment can be delivered well by a GP with a special interest in varicose veins.
Faecal immunochemical tests for occult blood testing should not be used outside of bowel screening: an audit of a large general practice
Current recommendations discourage the use of FIT outside the National Bowel Screening Programme.
Repeat prescribing safety survey
This research aims to provide a baseline understanding of members’ attitudes, awareness, processes, concerns and benefits of repeat prescribing.
Gonorrhoea: the pain and shame of notification
This article details the onerous reporting requirements related to gonorrhoea notification.
Evaluation of a compulsory reflective group for medical students
This research investigates whether participation enabled students to constructively share emotional clinical experiences and develop ethical and professional behaviour.
Experience of nurses measuring preschool body mass index for the Health target: Raising Healthy Kids
This article explores the experience of nurses performing the Before School Check since the inclusion of the Raising Healthy Kids in 2016 and mandatory BMI reporting.
Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality
