Abstract
InnovAiT is produced on a 3-year cycle. However, many articles do not significantly go out of date in that time. This section of InnovAiT summarises articles from the previous cycle of InnovAiT that GPs and GPs in training might still find useful today.
Cannabis and mental health problems
Dr Sian Lucy Holdridge and Dr Christopher David Holdridge
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 5–10
Cannabis is estimated still to be the most commonly used illicit drug in the UK. Although there is controversy around whether psychotic illness is the result of cannabis use or a trigger for use, it is likely to be a cause of schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. This article considers the role of cannabis in mental illness, assessment of those at risk and use of tools such as NM ASSIST (National Institute of Drug Abuse – Modified Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test).
Controlled drugs: Regulations and prescribing
Dr Benedict McCann
InnovAiT 2015 8(1):11–17
Around 50 million prescriptions for controlled drugs (CDs) are prescribed in NHS primary care every year. This article considers the important legislation and essential guidance around the management of CDs, including safe storage, record keeping, administration, disposal and safe prescribing.
Dependence on prescription medication
Dr Kathryn Steven
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 18–22
This article gives important prescribing guidance for drugs associated with dependency (including opioids, benzodiazepines and z-drugs), together with guidance on withdrawing and stopping these drugs.
Health needs of prisoners
Dr Lucy Pocock and John Sutton
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 24–29
InnovAiT regularly features articles on the problems and needs of unusual patient populations. This article considers the challenges faced by the small number of GPs involved in the healthcare of the prison population. Prisoners have complex needs and a high incidence of mental ill-health, substance misuse and self-harm behaviour. GPs need to be able to communicate with patients from a diverse background and to work with prison healthcare teams when looking after prisoners.
Occupational illness
Dr Simon Thornton and Dr Robert Thornton
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 30–35
Occupational illness is any disease contracted primarily from exposure to risk factors arising from work activity. Although it is very common there is a paucity of occupational healthcare in the UK compared with other European countries. This article considers the assessment, causes and management of occupational illness, including when to refer patients for specialist assessment.
The stress epidemic
Dr Claudia Newbegin
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 36–40
Stress is a common contributing factor in many illnesses. This short article describes the important work of GPs in detecting and managing stress-related illness in patients, colleagues and staff.
Patient-centred care in general practice
Dr Hajira Dambha, Professor Simon Griffin and Professor Ann Louise Kinmonth
InnovAiT 2015 8(1): 41–46
Patient-centred care is a core value in general practice and recognized as a hallmark of good quality healthcare. It considers the needs, expectations and preferences of individual patients rather than focusing on management of disease. This approach yields better outcomes. This important article considers the evidence for this, including methods to evaluate patient experience.