Chest Radiography: General Practitioners’ Compliance with Recommendations

Introduction: Chest radiography is the most frequently prescribed imaging test in general practice in France. We aimed to assess the extent to which general practitioners follow the recommendations of the French National Authority for Health in prescribing chest radiography. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective analysis study, in two radiology centers belonging to the same group in Saint-Omer and Aire-sur-la-Lys, of requests for chest radiography sent by general practitioners over the winter period between December 22, 2013, and March 21, 2014, for patients aged over 18 years. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven requests for chest X-rays were analyzed, 71.75% of which complied with recommendations. The most frequent reason was the search for bronchopulmonary infection, accounting for 70.08% of prescriptions, followed by 11.2% for requests to rule out pulmonary neoplasia, whereas the latter reason did not comply with recommendations. Chest X-rays contributed to a positive diagnosis in 28.81% of cases. The positive diagnosis was given by 36.22% of the recommended chest X-rays, versus 10% for those not recommended. Conclusion: In most cases, general practitioners follow HAS recommendations for prescribing chest X-rays. Non-recommended chest X-rays do not appear to make a major contribution to diagnosis or patient management, confirming the value of following the recommendations of the French National Authority for Health.

Application of BOPPPS + Mind Maps to Improve Clinical Competence of General Practitioner Residents: Taking Cough as an Example

Objective:To analyze the importance of general practitioner residents using the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).Methods:From September 2023 to August 2024,a study was conducted with 6 control group participants receiving traditional teaching and 6 observation group participants receiving the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps).The study analyzed various indicators between the two groups(including mind map scores and assessment results).Results:Compared with the control group,the assessment scores of the observation group were significantly higher(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of the combined teaching method(BOPPPS+mind maps)by general practitioner residents can significantly improve their comprehensive abilities.

The quality of older adults'involvement in clinical communication with general practitioners:evidence from rural towns in Australia

Objective:A study was conducted about the putative links of older rural Australians'health knowledge and preparation with their quality of involvement in patient-general practitioner(GP)communication during health intake visits.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study between January 2021 and April 2022.The 32-item quality of involvement in communication scale was designed and incorporated into the SurveyGizmo software.This online survey was administered by sending an email request to the Renmark Rotary Club,which actively promoted this study across five rural towns in South Australia.121 participants completed the surveys.Mean-sum scores were calculated based on the questionnaire responses to evaluate outcomes,specifically initiation of information,active participation,and emotional expression.We employed different methods including t-tests,ANOVA,and leaner regressions to analyse data.Results:The demographic profile of participants characterised by a female predominance(58.7%,71/121),a majority falling within the 65-<70 age bracket(47.1%,57/121),and a high level of educational attainment(58.7%had completed high school or higher,71/121).Additionally,35%of the participants predominantly spoke a language other than English at home.Regarding the initiation of information with GPs,the mean sum-score was(20.5+3.7),indicating a marginally above-average level of engagement.Contrarily,the active participation was suboptimal,as suggested by a mean sum score of(35.9±6.3).Furthermore,the emotional expression was relatively low,with a mean score of(13.9±1.8).Substantial variations were discerned in the quality of patient-GP communication,contingent upon factors such as educational background,language spoken at home,health literacy,and preparatory measures for clinical visits.Participants who predominantly spoke a language other than English at home demonstrated significantly lower levels of information initiation with their GPs(P<0.o01).Higher educational attainment was positively correlated with increased active participation(P<0.001).Enhanced health literacy and thorough visit preparation were significantly associated with increased levels of active participation(P<0.001).Conclusion:Meaningful engagement through recognition,empowerment,and support(health literacy programs)for older rural adults is suggested for improving their quality of involvement in communication with GPs.

Knowledge about the Management of Anti-Epileptic Drug Treatment among General Practitioners in Brazzaville, Congo

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder. It often leads to disabilities and handicaps. In Africa, epilepsy is almost exclusively treated by general practitioners (GPs) because of a shortage of epilepsy specialists. It is therefore important to know the level of knowledge about epilepsy among GPs in order to improve their skills. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment among GPs in Brazzaville;to investigate the relationship between demographic factors and GPs’ knowledge. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. It was conducted from 20 July to 1 September 2021. It focused on GPs working in public hospitals and private care centers in Brazzaville. Information on treatment aspects was collected through a standardized 11-item questionnaire. Results: Among the 137 participants, there were 84 (61.3%) men and 53 (38.7%) women. Of these participants, 36 (26.3%) were trained in Congo versus 101 (73.7%) in other countries. Only 21 (15.3%) GPs had good knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment. The overall average knowledge score among GPs was low (31.4%). No significant associations were found between low and good levels of knowledge and gender (OR = 1.03;95% CI = 0.40 - 2.68;p = 1.000), age groups (OR 0.05), training country (OR = 0.62;95% CI = 0.19 - 1.98;p = 0.591), practice hospital (OR = 0.40;95% CI = 0.05 - 3.20;p = 0.695) and duration of professional experience (OR 0.05). Conclusion: The study population has insufficient knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment. Demographic factors have no impact on GPs’ knowledge. Epilepsy education programs are needed to improve GPs’ knowledge and skills.

Management of erectile dysfunction: barriers faced by general practitioners

Aim: To explore the barriers faced by general practitioners (GPs) in the management of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: This was a qualitative analysis of focus group discussions and in-depth inter views involving 28 Malaysian GPs. Results: GPs' perception of ED being not a serious condition was a major determinant of their prescribing practice. Doctor's age (younger), gender (female), short consultation time and lack of experience were cited as barriers. The GPs' prescribing habits were heavily influenced by the feedback from the first few patients under treatment, the uncertainty of etiology of ED without proper assessment and the profit margin with bulk purchase. Other barriers include Patients' coexisting medical conditions, older age, lower socio-economic status, unrealistic expectations and inappropriate use of the anti-impoteneet drugs. Cardiovascular side effects and cost were two most important drug barriers. Conclusion: The factors influencing the management of ED among the general practitioners were multiple and complex. An adequate understanding of how these factors (doctors, patients and drugs) interact can assist in the formulation and implementation of strategies that encourage GPs to identify and manage ED patients.

Role of general practitioners in prevention and treatment of hepatitis B in China

BACKGROUND： Hepatitis B virus（HBV） infection may impose an economic burden to patients or their families. The prevention and control of HBV could effectively reduce the burden. However, the management of HBV-related patients has not been well controlled in China. With the development of general practitioner（GP） system in this country, GPs may greatly improve the management of the patients with HBV infection. However, the role of GPs in controlling HBV infection has been rarely studied.DATA SOURCES： A literature search of PubMed, CNKI,Wanfang data and VIP was performed with the following key words： ＂general practitioner＂, ＂family physician＂, ＂community management＂, ＂community health care workers＂, ＂family practice＂, ＂hepatitis B virus＂, ＂HBV＂, ＂HBV vaccination＂, ＂HBV prevention＂, ＂HBV management＂, ＂HBV treatment＂, ＂antiviral therapy＂ and ＂chronic hepatitis B（CHB）＂. The information about the GPs-involved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CHB was reviewed.RESULTS： The reports on the role of GPs in the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of HBV infection are few. But the experiences from Western countries demonstrated that GPs could play a significant role in the management of patients withCHB. The importance of GPs is obvious although there are some difficulties in China. GPs and health officials at different levels should work together in the management of patients with CHB.CONCLUSIONS： The involvement of GPs in the management of patients with HBV infection is effective in China. But GPs＇ knowledge and skills for the control of HBV infection have to be improved currently. GPs＇ involvement will enforce the management of CHB in China in the near future.

Effects of a general practitioner cooperative co-located with an emergency department on patient throughput

BACKGROUND:In 2013 a General Practitioner Cooperative(GPC) was introduced at the Emergency Department(ED) of our hospital.One of the aims of this co-located GPC was to improve throughput of the remaining patients at the ED.To determine the change in patient flow,we assessed the number of self-referrals,redirection of self-referrals to the GPC and back to the ED,as well as ward and ICU admission rates and length of stay of the remaining ED population.METHODS:We conducted a four months' pre-post comparison before and after the implementation of a co-located GPC with an urban ED in the Netherlands.RESULTS:More than half of our ED patients were self-referrals.At triage,54.5%of these selfreferrals were redirected to the GPC.After assessment at the GPC,8.5%of them were referred back to the ED.The number of patients treated at the ED declined with 20.3%after the introduction of the GPC.In the remaining ED population,there was a significant increase of highly urgent patients(P<0.001),regular admissions(P<0.001),and ICU admissions(P<0.001).Despite the decline of the number of patients at the ED,the total length of stay of patients treated at the ED increased from 14 682 hours in the two months' control period to 14 962 hours in the two months' intervention period,a total increase of 270 hours in two months(P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Introduction of a GPC led to efficient redirection of self-referrals but failed to improve throughput of the remaining patients at the ED.

Knowledge of General Practitioners in Cotonou about Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Introduction: Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are seen late in specialized medical consultation in Benin. The objective of this work was to assess general practitioners’ knowledge in Cotonou about SLE. Materials and Methods: This work was a cross-sectional study that was led in the city of Cotonou from July 1 to September 30, 2017. In the study population, we have general practitioners who practice in the city. Data collection was set in response to a self-questionnaire. Result: The survey involved 209 general practitioners. The average age was 27.5 years with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 34. Most of them practiced in private clinics. Besides, 17 doctors (8.1%) reported that they never heard of lupus. Among the 192 remaining, only one had an average knowledge of lupus, while the others had insufficient knowledge. Conclusion: From this study, we got that SLE is still little known by the general practitioner. Increasing the knowledge of general practitioners’ knowledge of lupus is compulsory to improve the screening rate.

On attitudes about colorectal cancer screening among gastrointestinal specialists and general practitioners in the Netherlands

AIM： To find out whether there are differences in attitudes about colorectal cancer （CRC） screening among gastrointestinal （GI） specialists and general practitioners （GPs） and which method is preferred in a national screening program METHODS： Four hundred and twenty Dutch GI specialists in the Netherlands and 400 GPs in Amsterdam were questioned in 2004. Questions included demographics, affiliation, attitude towards screening both for the general population and themselves, methods of screening, family history and individual risk. RESULTS： Eighty-four percent of the GI specialists returned the questionnaire in comparison to 32% of the GPs （P〈0.001）. Among the GI specialists, 92% favoured population screening whereas 51% of GPs supported population screening （P〈0.001）. Of the GI specialists 95% planned to be screened themselves, while 30% of GPs intended to do so （P〈0.001）. Regarding the general population, 72% of the GI specialists preferred colonoscopy as the screening method compared to 27% of the GPs （P〈0.001）. The method preferred for personal screening was colonoscopy in 97% of the GI specialists, while 29% of the GPs favoured colonoscopy （P〈0.001）. CONCLUSION： Screening for CRC is strongly supported by Dutch GI specialists and less by GPs. The major health issue is possibly misjudged by GPs. Since GPs play a crucial role in a successful national screening program, CRC awareness should be realized by increasing knowledge about the incidence and mortality, thus increasing awareness of the need for screening among GPs.

Analysis of the Role of General Practitioners Services in Rural Areas during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19,various regions of China have been rapidly deployed under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Party to actively prevent and control the COVID-19.The rural areas of my country have weak links to the prevention and management of public health emergencies.Problems include lack of medical and health resources and farmers’low awareness of epidemic prevention.Situations that correspond to the prevention and management of the COVID-19 are more serious.As the patient’s first contact and“gatekeeper”in the fight against the epidemic,the general practitioner is responsible for the“first visit-subsequent ongoing intervention”.This article is about the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemics and epidemic prevention in terms of dissemination of knowledge,informed crowd control,joint prevention and control,and standardized management of people.This is a summary of the efforts of general practitioners.Quarantine at home,interactive referrals to medical consortiums,special care for contracted families.The function during the management period aims to analyze the role played by general practitioners during the epidemic and to provide new ideas for the prevention and management of the epidemic.Provide more targeted general practitioner-style services in rural areas to promote the implementation and improvement of health and poverty alleviation.The health level of the rural population provides a theoretical standard.

Participation of private general practitioners in disease management of malaria in Myanmar

Objective:Myanmar has been trying to improve the disease management of malaria through public health services. The involvement of private general practitioners(GPs) is recognized as one of the key contributory issues in malaria control,but no one has yet made an attempt to study the efficiency of their role.This study aimed to assess the participation of GPs in improvement of disease management.Methods:The study was conducted with all 32 GPs practicing at three randomly selected townships with high malaria load situated in Upper Myanmar from June 2006 to March 2007 using a pretest-posttest design to assess their knowledge of the disease management prior to and after intervention.The intervention package consisted of a one-day workshop on diagnosis and treatment of malaria and the supply of facilities for microscopy.Questionnaires filled in before and after tests were compared to assess the change of knowledge after the intervention.Diagnosis and treatment practice during the study period was analysed by review of registers kept by GPs,together with a follow-up survey of their patients for the reliability of data.Results:An overall improvement of knowledge was observed and significant changes were apparent for three variables:the criteria for referral of severe malaria,the effect of incomplete treatment and recommended treatment of Plasmodium vivax.Pre-test results showed that only 65.6%of GPs perceived microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Test kits(RDTs) for confirmation of malaria necessary,while only 15.6%and 40.6%of the GPs knew the recommended treatments of falciparum and vivax malaria,respectively. However,after intervention 92%of the patients were diagnosed as malaria by RDTs and 3%by microscopy throughout the study.The GPs prescribed artemisinin-based combination therapy(ACTs) to 95%of confirmed falciparum cases and treated 82.4%of RDT confirmed falciparum negatives with chloroquine and primaquine.Concurrent with our study,an international NGO,Population Service International,supplied GPs with RDTs and ACTs at subsidized rate which was helpful.Conclusion:The study suggests that participation of GPs may help improve the disease management of malaria and thus assist in the country’s effort to control ma- laria.

Meta-Analysis the Quality of General Practitioners Management for Elderly Patients with Hypertension in China

Background: Among Chinese adults aged 35 - 75 years, nearly half have hypertension and the prevalence of hypertension is increased with age. But older patients with high systolic pressure and high pulse pressure could not be cured, and will have greater cardiovascular morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of general practitioners (GP) management for Chinese elderly hypertension, and explore reasonable and effective blood pressure management pattern. Methods: We searched the published literature for randomized controlled trials designed to improve blood pressure with community care management delivered by general practitioners or nurses, compared with usual care. Major outcome measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure;the percentage of patients whose blood pressures are under control with community care management and Revman 5.3 was used in this study. Results: Pooled data from all 13 researches showed a lower outcome diastolic blood pressure (SMD = &minus;0.95, 95% CI (&minus;1.23, &minus;0.67)) and systolic blood pressure (SMD = &minus;1.17, 95% CI (&minus;1.52, &minus;0.81)) respectively in favor of community management. Pooled data from all 11 researches showed a higher percentage of patients with blood pressure under control in favor of community management (OR = 3.85, 95% CI (1.58, 9.37)) and the difference between treatment group and control group on blood pressure control ratio had statistical significance (Z = 2.97, P Conclusions: General practitioners’ management in Chinese elderly hypertension is effective, and complies with the advanced hypertension management guidelines. The multi-patterns are supposed to adopt community blood pressure monitoring and team-based general practitioners.

Does Cash Incentive Effect TB Case Notification by Public Private Mix-General Practitioners Model in Pakistan?

Setting: Private healthcare providers including solo practitioners and laboratories enrolled with Public Private Mix General Practitioners model in Pakistan who were enrolled with the program and maintained participation during 2014 to 2016. Objective: To assess the change in case notification by private healthcare providers as well as effect on sputum smear positivity rate at private laboratories after introduction of incentives. Design: A comparative cross-sectional study based on routinely maintained National TB Control Program data collected before and after the introduction of incentives (2014 and 2016). Results: In 2016, TB case notification increased by 71% after cash incentives was introduced. Among the 618 private healthcare providers who enrolled and maintained participation in the Public Private Mix program, only 1% of the GPs contributed to 19% increase in case notification, whereas 27% GPs had reported a reduced number of cases compared to the pre-intervention period. After incentives, slide positivity rate for diagnostic declined by 1.9% and follow-up increased by 0.6%. Number of slides for diagnostic and follow-up testing increased by 82% and 72% respectively. Conclusion: Engaging the private healthcare sector, by providing cash incentives to private health care Provider’s is an effective strategy for providing a substantial increase in National TB case notification.

Positive attitudes towards priority setting in clinical guidelines among Danish general practitioners: A web based survey

Aims: Increasing focus on improvement and optimisation of the treatment in primary care and reduction of healthcare costs emphasize the need to understand which factors determines adherence and non-adherence to clinical guidelines. In the present study, we examined attitudes towards clinical guidelines in Danish general practitioners (GPs). Methods: We conducted a survey among Danish GPs from all five regions of Denmark. In total, 443 GPs answered the web-based questionnaire that contained questions about attitudes and barriers to clinical guidelines. Results: More than 90% of the GPs reported that they have good knowledge of the guidelines and in general follows the guidelines. A majority of the GPs (81%) found it acceptable that economic considerations are part of the guidelines. The most important factors for non- adherence to guidelines were “need of adjustment to clinical practice” and “lack of confidence in guidelines”. The attitudes to clinical guidelines were not significantly associated with practice characteristics such as gender, years of experience, practice organisation and localisation. Conclusions: Our findings show that clinical guidelines are an integrated or internalised part of everyday practice among GPs in Denmark. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Danish GPs are positive towards applying priority setting in their practice. This is decisive in the light of rising healthcare costs due to development of new expensive technologies and ageing populations that puts pressure on the healthcare system in general and primary healthcare in particular.

Drug Prescribing Trends among Consultants and General Practitioners in Sharjah-UAE

Background: Inappropriate prescribing can lead to errors in dispensing medications and serious problems for patients. Objectives: Prescription analysis can identify such drawbacks of prescribing, increase awareness of prescribers of rational prescribing and consequently lead to proper delivery of pharmaceutical care and enhance therapeutic outcomes. Methods: In the present study, prescriptions issued by consultants from a hospital and by general practitioners from private practice in Sharjah-United Arab Emirates were analyzed using indicators suggested by World Health Organizations. These include information with regard to prescriber, patient and the medication prescribed. We also determined the average number of drugs/encounter and % of prescriptions with antibiotics and those with injections. Data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and expressed in terms of both counts and percentages. Results: Almost all prescriptions were handwritten with easily readable ones being 65% for consultants and 46% for general practitioners. Average number of drugs/encounter was 2.1 and 2.8 for consultants and general practitioners, respectively. Antibiotics were prescribed in 27% and 44%;generic prescribing was 5% and 10% by consultants and general practitioners respectively and 8% of prescriptions by consultants contained injections. Variable results were obtained on information regarding the patient but consultants seem to be better in documenting patient’s age and gender. Consultants and general practitioners tend to prescribe 3 drugs and more in 35% and 25% respectively. The most commonly prescribed therapeutic classes for both groups of prescribers were NSAIDs and antibiotics with ibuprofen and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination being the most commonly prescribed drugs of each class. Conclusion: To improve prescription writing, interventions must include, among others, incorporation of topics on prescription writing in medical curriculum and programs of continuing medical education.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey in Management of Type 2 Diabetes by General Practitioners in Dakar

Introduction: Considering the global burden of diabetes and lack of specialist in diabetology in our subsaharian area, general practitioners (GPs) play a major role as first referent for care of diabetic people. The aim of this work was to describe knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs related to management of type 2 diabetes. Patients and Methods: It was about a transversal and descriptive survey held between July 14, 2015 and November 1st, 2015 in the medical districts and public corporations of health of Dakar in Senegal. Results: The population of study was made of 107 males and 40 females GPs. The majority (82.8%) was graduated since less than five years. Hygienic and dietetic measures (HDM) were known and commonly recommended by 77.60% of GPs in their daily practice. The caloric intakes were known by 21.1%. The 30 min of physical activity per day three times in the week was advised by 91.20%. Monotherapy with metformine associated with HDM was prescribed by 76.90%. Bitherapy with metformine and sulfonylureas associated to HDM were prescribed by 39.50%. Concerning insulin therapy, mixed insulin twice daily associated with rapid insulin before lunch was prescribed by 49.7%. Use of rapid acting insulin with three injections before each meal was prescribed by 36.10%. Treatment of the other cardiovascular risk factors was addressed by 97.30%. Smoking cessation was advised by 37.40%. Use of sweetened drink and intravenous glucose were most adopted in case of hypoglycemia, and use of glucagon was adopted by 23.10%. To improve the diabetic retinopathy 61.2% of GPs recommended tight control of other cardiovascular risk factors. Rigorous glycemic control and regular physical activity were recommended for painful neuropathy beside analgesics. Smoking cessation was also recommended by 61.90% for that. Against obstructive arterial disease of the lower extremities, tight control of blood pressure was recommended by 69.40% Conclusion: It comes out from these results the need for reinforcing post graduate trainings on diabetes for our GPs. Moreover, there’s an urgent need to elaborate and disseminate adapted guidelines and recommendations for improving efficient and standardized strategies for day to day management of type 2 diabetic people in our country.

Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Viral Hepatitis B and C Screening by General Practitioners in Brazzaville

The involvement of general practitioners in the early detection of viral hepatitis B and C must be paramount. The objectives of this work were to assess GPs’ knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to screening for viral hepatitis B and C. We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study among GPs recruited by simple random sampling from the list of GPs in the city of Brazzaville. The judgement criteria were knowledge and practice of screening for viral hepatitis B and C, assessed according to a Likert scale divided into 3 categories: very good, good and bad. One hundred and twenty-one general practitioners were included, including 48 women and 73 men, with a sex ratio of 1.52;the average age was 33 years;52.89% of them worked in the private sector with an average period of activity of 4 years. The majority of the doctors had a good knowledge (69.42%) and a bad practice (56.20%) of screening for viral hepatitis B and C. The duration of activity was the factor linked to knowledge of viral hepatitis B and C (p = 0.006) while age was the factor linked to the practice of screening for viral hepatitis B and C (p = 0.0366). In conclusion, in Brazzaville, general practitioners’ knowledge of screening for viral hepatitis B and C is good in general, but the practices are poor and require targeted in-service training.

DRG支付方式带给中国医疗服务体系发展的机遇与挑战分析

DRG支付方式是中国医疗服务体系高质量发展的机遇,体现在DRG是促进医疗管理和绩效管理升级的有效工具,DRG支付方式改革将促进医院病案质量的提升、促进合理用药和临床药学的发展、推动医用耗材的精细化管理、促进检验与临床诊疗的更好结合及医疗服务效率的提高、医疗服务体系的重塑。同时,DRG的科学设置与执行能力、门诊统筹的建立对医保支付管理的要求、基层医务人员的素质对建立基层首诊与转诊制度的阻碍、门诊共济制度下的基层与医院门诊服务支付方式等问题,是对支付方式改革和中国医疗服务体系的挑战。中国医疗服务提供体系未来的变化趋势为三级医疗机构规模的压缩和基层社区守门人制度的建立,影响改革的重要因素之一是医疗服务价格机制改革。

Impact of Somatic Symptoms on Identification of Depression among General Outpatients by Family Physicians in North-Western Nigeria

In many places in the world, General Practitioners are only able to identify depression in a small fraction of depressed patients presenting to general outpatient department. The effect of somatic symptoms on its recognition was investigated. The study determines the identification rate of depression by general practitioners among outpatients with somatic symptoms and those without somatic symptoms. This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Family Medicine Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to screen selected participants. Forms were used by GPs to itemize medical and psychiatric symptoms elicited as well as medical and psychiatric diagnoses made. Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) version 2.1, was used to confirm the diagnosis of depression. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was used for severity using items 11-14 of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Those with somatic symptoms score of 1-3 were rated as having low and those with 4-10 were rated as having high. Of the 410 outpatients recruited, 402 participated in the study. Two hundred and thirteen were screened depressed (HADS). Two hundred were confirmed depressed using SCAN (49.8%). The GPs identified 31.3% of those participants diagnosed depressed without somatic symptoms compared to 15.2% of those who were diagnosed depressed with somatic symptoms. However, no significant association was found between GPs ability to identify depression in the presence or absence of somatic symptoms (p = 0.09). This study found no association between GPs ability to identify depression and presence or absence of somatic symptoms (χ2 = 2.75, p = 0.09). However, this study found that the higher the level of somatic symptoms the more unlikely it’s for GPs to identify depression. To reduce the burden of depression by early detection and treatment, continuing medical education of GPs should include skills in identification of depression.

Motivations and Training Needs of General Practitioner Preceptors

Background：General practitioner （GP） preceptors play an important role in the cultivation of GPs.Many problems exist in the training of GP preceptors.This study aimed to explore the willingness and training needs of GP preceptors and compare the differences between preceptors from general practice and other specialties.Methods：A total of 375 questionnaire forms were sent to 375 GP preceptors from 11 different provinces,and 344 completed forms were returned.The main outcome included general information,teaching motivations,and training needs of GP preceptors.Results：The study showed that about 89.2% of GP preceptors were willing to be teachers.The majority of respondents strongly agreed that the motivation for becoming a GP supervisor was to learn from teaching.The most important capability they should master was clinical teaching （92.2%）,followed by lecture （83.1%） and doctor-patient communication （83.1%）.The top three preferred methods of GP preceptors training were case discussion （78.8%）,workshop （57.6%）,and classroom teaching （56.4%）.The domains in which most GP preceptors wanted to acquire knowledge and skill were mental health （59.3%）,rehabilitation （47.1%）,pediatrics （41.0%）,and obstetrics （37.5%）.No significant differences were found in the willingness to train GPs （x2 =3.34,P 〉 0.05） and whether they would become or continue to become a GP supervisor after the training （x2 =l.106,P 〉 0.05）.Conclusions：Although most preceptors were under on-the-job training,they were glad to train GPs.To be qualified,preceptors should be trained according to the actual needs of GP preceptors.