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Aim. The aim of the study was to establish whether two previously described barriers to effective in-consultation assistance-seeking by general practice (GP) vocational specialist trainees (ie concern about patient impressions of their competence, and discomfort presenting to supervisors in front of patients) influenced the frequency of trainee in-consultation assistanceseeking from their supervisor. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study nested in the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Clinical Training ongoing cohort study of Australian GP trainees. Trainee participants completed contemporaneous records of 60 consecutive patient consultations, including whether supervisory assistance was sought. Trainees also completed a cross-sectional survey including items eliciting their beliefs about patient impressions and their own discomfort in seeking in-consultation supervisory assistance. These were factors of interest in multivariable logistic regression analyses; the outcome factor in both regression models was the seeking of inconsultation supervisory assistance. Results. In 2018, 778 trainees (778/876, response rate 89%) completed the cross-sectional survey. No association was found between the odds of inconsultation help-seeking and perceived decrease in patient impressions of trainee competence (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.31; P = 0.36) or higher comfort presenting outside patients' hearing (OR = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.05; P = 0.19). Discussion. Contrary to expected utility models of helpseeking, trainees may not consider personal discomfort or impression management to be important enough, compared to patient safety and other considerations, to influence decisions regarding in-consultation help-seeking. Clinical supervisors should, nevertheless, consider the potential personal costs to trainees and maintain trainee self-esteem and confidence by providing in-consultation assistance in front of patients as comfortably and effectively as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Patients with chronic pain (CP) are frequent users of general practitioners (GPs). Aim. This study aimed to assess factors associated with the rate of GP visits related to pain in patients with CP. Methods. This study used data collected by adult specialist pain management services (SPMS) that participated in the electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration (ePPOC) in Australia. Adult patients (18 years or older) with CP (duration greater than 3 months) who were referred to SPMS from the calendar year 2015–2021 were included (N = 84 829). Results. Patients who reported severe anxiety, stress, pain, pain interference, pain catastrophising and severely impaired pain self-efficacy were more likely to seek help from a GP. Patients with longer pain duration had a lower rate of GP visits. The rate of GP visits was 1.22 (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.26) times higher in patients with severe pain severity, compared to patients with mild pain severity. Patients who used opioids were more likely to visit a GP (IRR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.34) than those who were not using opioids. Discussions. More than half of the adult CP patients had greater than three GP visits in the 3 months before referral. This study would indicate that some patients may attend their GP to seek an opioid prescription. Given the rising use of opioids nationally, future study is required on opioid users’ GP visitation practices. Additionally, the inverse association between pain duration and the rate of GP visits warrants further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Patients are interested in receiving text messages (texts) related to their health care. However, anecdotes are emerging of associated problems and it is possible that many of the potential pitfalls are not recognised. AIM: To assess clinicians' attitudes and behaviours towards text messaging (texting) with patients. METHODS: A voluntary, anonymous, online survey was created and distributed to general practitioners and physiotherapists in New Zealand and to Sports Medicine Fellows and Sports Medicine Registrars in New Zealand and Australia. RESULTS: In total, 322 clinicians completed the survey. Texting behaviours relating to accuracy, privacy and security were identified. A range of sensitive and important medical information was frequently conveyed and at times forwarded to third parties. The clinicians generally felt uneasy communicating this way and some felt pressured into it. Most thought that guidelines are insufficient and that they had not received sufficient education on the issues. Most were interested in further education. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated frequent texting between clinicians and patients. It has highlighted potential risks to the privacy, accuracy and security of medical information. Current guidelines and education may be insufficient. Clinicians were interested in receiving readily available best practice guidelines and education regarding texting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on trend in general practice towards diversification of the GP's professional role. Topics include examines in addition to clinical practice, many GPs choose to work in other health areas and considered this intention manifests in general practice training, with GP trainees expressing interest in developing portfolio careers.

INTRODUCTION: Health consciousness highlights the readiness of individuals to undertake health actions and take responsibility for their health and the health of others. AIM: To examine the health consciousness of Australians and its association with health status, health-care utilisation and sociodemographic factors. METHODS: This quantitative cross-sectional study was a part of a larger project aiming to engage the general public in health-care decision-making. Adults from Queensland and South Australia (n = 1529) were recruited to participate by a panel company. The questionnaire included the Health Consciousness Scale (HCS), health status, health-care utilisation, sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables. RESULTS: The health consciousness of Australians was relatively low (mean score = 21), compared to other international administrations of the HCS, and further investigations revealed that more health-conscious people tended to live in South Australia, be female and single, experience poorer physical and mental health and were more frequent users of health-care services. DISCUSSION: The general approach to health in this sample of the Australian public may reflect 'here and now' concerns. It appears that an attitude of 'she'll be right, mate' prevails until a change in an individual's health status or their exposure to the health system demands otherwise. These findings need to be investigated further to see if they are confirmed by others and to clarify the implications for primary health programmes in Australia in redressing the public's apparent apathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]