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 However, many articles do not significantly go out of date in that time.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. The February 2018 issue covered a varied range of topics, but essential prescribing tips might be very useful within the relevant section of your ePortfolio.
Essential prescribing tips for GP Associates-in-Training
Mrs Gill Cookey, Dr Richard Knox, Dr Nde-Eshimuni Salema, et al.
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 69–73
Prescribing is an essential but high-risk GP activity, especially for AiTs. This article highlights common prescribing errors and gives wide ranging tips on how to avoid them. Develop skills to achieve lifelong habits that will defend against errors. Simple audits of prescribing can help improve prescribing.
Non-medical prescribing
Dr Helen Crawley
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 74–79
Do you know which allied health professionals are able to prescribe, what they can prescribe and how? If you read this article you will understand this and more. Quite recent legislation has allowed more allied health professionals to issue prescriptions under certain circumstances and after appropriate training. This comprehensive article summarises current prescribing mechanisms that can improve patient safety and access to services with useful case studies to illustrate how.
Amenorrhoea
Holly Vickers, Thomas Gray and Dr Swati Jha
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 80–88
Patients with amenorrhoea may be concerned about puberty and fertility, depending on the age at presentation. This article considers the underlying causes, assessment and investigation, together with important advice on how to counsel patients. The article considers primary (rare) and secondary amenorrhoea and indications for referral. Key initial investigations include pregnancy testing, hormone profile and pelvic ultrasound. All cases of primary amenorrhoea must be referred to secondary care.
Post-coital bleeding
Dr Anne Connolly
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 90–95
Post-coital bleeding is a common presentation in primary care and causes concern to patients, their partners and doctors. Ectropion and infections can cause bleeding, but so can cervical cancer. This article provides a framework for assessment and recommendations for referral. It covers important aspects of the history, but an abnormal looking cervix should prompt fast track referral to the colposcopy clinic without waiting for smear results.
Acute epididymitis
Miss Farhiya Omar and Dr Mohamed Abdi
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 96–100
Acute inflammation of the epididymis is relatively uncommon but important to recognise and treat, particularly as it shares similar features with testicular torsion, a surgical emergency. Diagnostic uncertainty requires urgent referral. The likely pathogens vary with age, ranging from viruses to enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted organisms, but there are also a range of non-infectious causes to be considered
Hepatitis C
Dr Stacey Dawson and Dr Emma Meader
InnovAiT 2018 11(2): 101–108
This comprehensive, detailed article by a former Epsom GP registrar provides a useful overview of hepatitis C infection, a disease that affects 180 million people worldwide. The role of GPs in screening and management is detailed, along with diagnostic pathways and different combinations of treatment. The immune response is not protective and patients are at risk of reinfection.
Poverty and health: The challenges for GPs
Dr Hina J Shahid
InnovAiT 2017 11(2): 109–114
There are many definitions of poverty, but the links between poverty and health are complex and profound. Although poverty across the world is considered by some parameters to be in decline, it has increased in the UK in recent years. GPs must understand the effects of poverty on health, identify at-risk groups and mitigate the effects of poverty.