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Background: The healthcare sector is responsible for 5.2% of CO2 emissions in Germany. The prescribing of medicines is a significant contributor. Among the prescribed medicines, metered dose inhalers (MDIs) play a decisive role due to the propellant gases they contain. A relevant reduction in emissions is possible by switching to dry powder inhalation systems (DPI). Aim: The guideline "Climate-conscious prescribing of inhalants" is intended to provide assistance in the prescribing of inhaled medicines by summarising the available evidence on the decision between DPI and MDI and explicitly addressing the aspect of climate damage caused by propellants. It addresses everyone involved in prescribing and counselling those affected. Materials and methods: The S2k guideline was drawn up under the joint leadership of DEGAM (German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians) and the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) under moderation of the AWMF (Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany). The main contents from a practical perspective are presented in this paper. Results: Overall, MDIs account for a high proportion of inhaler prescriptions in Germany. The aspects of climate damage should be considered when prescribing MDIs. In order to facilitate implementation in practice, several decision aids were developed. Conclusion: The guideline is the first to address the importance of prescribing a group of medicines in relation to climate change. The degree of implementation of the guideline recommendations can be determined by future analyses of prescription data. A planned practical test is required to check the acceptance of the decision aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In 2017, patients aged 0-18 years accounted for about 10million medical consultations in German general practitioners' (GPs') practices compared to 26.7 million in pediatric practices. Despite this high demand in GP practices, few federal statemedical boards require a mandatory pediatric component in GP training. The aim of this paper is to outline the main reasons for children and adolescents consulting a GP, discuss the basic skills needed for physical examinations and the appropriate investigations which should be provided and to consider which symptoms should alert the GP as "red flags" requiring immediate action (e.g., dehydration, severe bacterial infections, failure to thrive). In Germany, GPs are indispensable for the primary care of children and adolescents. Thus, appropriate training in pediatricmedicine is essential to enable German GPs to be true "family doctors" caring for all ages. This article is seen as part of continuing medical education for general practitionerswho treat children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HeilberufeSCIENCE is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)