Family practice
Audio Summaries

Bridging perspectives on antimicrobial resistance: a survey of Belgian general practitioners, dentists, and infectious disease specialists

Sep 22, 2026

This study investigates the perceptions and prescribing behaviors of Belgian general practitioners, dentists, and infectious disease specialists regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic use. The authors aim to identify challenges and opportunities for improving antimicrobial stewardship by examining the participants' awareness of AMR, their contributions to the problem, and their willingness to collaborate on solutions. Findings reveal a shared concern about AMR, but also highlight significant gaps in stewardship knowledge and confidence in current interventions among the different healthcare professionals.

The role of 6-minute walk test and pulmonary function testing in patients with post COVID-19 condition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sep 22, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of abnormalities in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) compared to those without PCC. The findings indicate that patients with PCC, particularly those who were hospitalized during acute COVID-19, are more likely to exhibit abnormal test results; however, the overall certainty of the evidence is very low due to high risk of bias and imprecision. The authors highlight the need for further research to better assess the diagnostic accuracy of these tests in PCC.

A retrospective evaluation of antibiotic prescribing for recurrent urinary tract infection prophylaxis in adults in general practice

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the adherence to guidelines for prescribing prophylactic antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in adults within general practices in Leicestershire, UK. Their retrospective audit revealed that while 73.6% of patients received guideline-concordant therapy, only 58.1% had a review within six months, and treatment modifications for resistant isolates were infrequent. The study highlights significant opportunities for improving UTI management through better adherence to guidelines and addressing socioeconomic factors influencing prescribing practices.

Are general practitioners less likely to recommend treatment when given absolute data on its risks and benefits? A web-based randomized survey

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate whether presenting general practitioners (GPs) with absolute data on the risks and benefits of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation would influence their treatment recommendations compared to traditional risk scoring tools. The study found that GPs were less likely to recommend anticoagulation when provided with absolute risk data, and even those who did recommend treatment rated their confidence lower. The findings suggest the importance of providing both guidelines and absolute data to support informed decision-making in clinical practice.

Situational analysis

Sep 15, 2026

The authors, Adam Christianson and Patricia Thille, explore the utility of situational analysis as a qualitative method for understanding the complexities of interprofessional collaborative and person-centered care teams in primary care settings. They aim to demonstrate how this methodology can effectively map and analyze the diverse perspectives and dynamics within healthcare situations, ultimately highlighting the inclusion and exclusion of various groups and values in healthcare delivery. The paper outlines the strengths and assumptions of situational analysis, providing insights into its successful application in health and social care research.

The use of the Psychosocial Index in primary care: clinimetric assessment of allostatic overload and biological correlates

Sep 10, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether the Psychosocial Index (PSI) could effectively identify a distinct subgroup of patients in primary care experiencing allostatic overload (AO) based on psychosocial and biological factors. Their findings indicated that a significant portion of participants classified as AO positive exhibited higher stress and psychological distress, alongside elevated morning cortisol levels, suggesting that PSI-informed assessments can enhance understanding of psychosocial health in clinical settings. This study supports the potential clinical utility of the PSI in recognizing patients with specific psychosocial profiles and biological correlates.

Tribals in transition: decoding health-seeking for modern epidemics: a mixed-method study

Sep 9, 2026

The study investigates the health-seeking behaviors, facilitators, and barriers to non-communicable disease (NCD) care among tribal communities in rural Telangana, India. It reveals that a significant portion of the population is unaware of NCD screening guidelines and prefers informal healthcare providers, while barriers such as mistrust in public services and financial constraints hinder access to care. The authors advocate for improved NCD screening and continuous care tailored to the needs of tribal populations.

Exploiting survey and online patient experience comments in general practice: validating a fine-tuned language model for automatic sentiment analysis

Sep 9, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a fine-tuned masked language model (NorBERT3large) for automated sentiment analysis of patient experience comments in general practice, comparing its performance to traditional methods and a large language model. They found that the fine-tuned model achieved high classification accuracy and demonstrated construct validity, suggesting it could serve as a reliable measure of patient experience and assist in identifying areas for quality improvement.

Bringing telepsychiatry to rural primary care: a 12-month observational evaluation in severe mental illness

Sep 9, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the clinical, functional, and risk changes over 12 months in a telepsychiatry model integrated into rural primary care for adults with severe mental illness. Their findings indicated significant improvements in disability, clinical severity, and general psychopathology, although they noted the lack of a control group limits the conclusions about the model's effectiveness. Further research with controlled studies is needed to confirm these temporal associations.

Digital gamification in chronic pain management in adulthood: a systematic review

Sep 9, 2026

This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of digital gamification interventions in managing chronic non-cancer pain among adults. The authors found that while gamification elements like feedback and challenges can significantly reduce pain and enhance user engagement, there is considerable variability in study designs, adherence, and long-term efficacy, indicating a need for higher-quality trials and personalized approaches in future research.