ObjectivesTo evaluate a multifaceted intervention on diet, physical activity and health literacy of overweight and obese patients attending primary care.DesignA pragmatic two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial.SettingUrban general practices in lower socioeconomic areas in Sydney and Adelaide.ParticipantsWe aimed to recruit 800 patients in each arm. Baseline assessment was completed by 215 patients (120 intervention and 95 control).InterventionA practice nurse-led preventive health check, a mobile application and telephone coaching.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months, and included patient health and eHealth literacy, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included changes in diet and physical activity, preventive advice and referral, blood lipids, quality of life and costs. Univariate and multivariate analyses of difference-in-differences (DiD) estimates for each outcome were conducted.ResultsAt 6 months, the intervention group, compared with the control group, demonstrated a greater increase in Health Literacy Questionnaire domain 8 score (ability to find good health information; mean DiD 0.22; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.44). There were similar differences for domain 9 score (understanding health information well enough to know what to do) among patients below the median at baseline. Differences were reduced and non-statistically significant at 12 months. There was a small improvement in diet scores at 6 months (DiD 0.78 (0.10 to 1.47); p=0.026) but not at 12 months. There were no differences in eHealth literacy, physical activity scores, body mass index, weight, waist circumference or blood pressure.ConclusionsTargeted recruitment and engagement were challenging in this population. While the intervention was associated with some improvements in health literacy and diet, substantial differences in other outcomes were not observed. More intensive interventions and using codesign strategies to engage the practices earlier may produce a different result. Codesign may also be valuable when targeting lower socioeconomic populations.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12617001508369) (http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12617001508369.aspx).Trial protocolThe protocol for this trial has been published (open access;https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/6/e023239).
Introduction: Hypertension is mostly managed in primary care. This study investigated the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension in Australian general practice and whether hypertension control is influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, duration since diagnosis or prescription of antihypertensive medications.Methods: Cross-sectional study using a large national database of electronic medical records of patients attending general practice in 2017 (MedicineInsight).Results: Of 1.2 million 'regular' patients (one or more consultations per year in every year from 2015 to 2017), 39.8% had a diagnosis of hypertension (95% confidence interval 38.7-40.9). Of these, 85.3% had their blood pressure (BP) recorded in 2017, and 54.9% (95% confidence interval 54.2-55.5) had controlled hypertension (<140/90 mmHg). BP control was lower in females (54.1%) compared with males (55.7%) and in the oldest age group (52.0%), with no differences by socioeconomic status. Hypertension control was lower among 'regular' patients recently diagnosed (6-12 months ¼ 48.6% controlled) relative to those more than 12 months since diagnosis (1-2 years ¼ 53.6%; 3-5 years 55.5%; >5 years ¼ 55.0%). Among recently diagnosed 'regular' patients, 59.2% had no record of being prescribed antihypertensive therapy in the last 6 months of the study, of which 44.3% had controlled hypertension. For those diagnosed more than 5 years ago, 37.4% had no record of being prescribed antihypertensive patients, and 56% had normal BP levels. Conclusion:Although the prevalence of hypertension varied by socidemographics, there were no differences in BP assessment or control by socioeconomic status. Hypertension control remains a challenge in primary care, and electronic medical records provide an opportunity to assess hypertension management.
Introduction: Cancer incidence and survivorship are increasing worldwide. With more people living through and beyond cancer, there is a subsequent increase in their supportive care needs. This systematic review of qualitative studies aimed to describe the impacts of unmet supportive care needs on cancer survivors in Australia.Methods: Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus were searched, and after screening and applying eligibility criteria, 27 qualitative studies were included. Findings were synthesised according to the Supportive Care Framework for Cancer Care, including informational, physical, practical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual need domains. Results:The systematic review identified impacts of unmet informational, physical, practical, emotional and psychological needs. Frequently identified impacts of unmet informational needs were feelings of abandonment and isolation, distress, confusion and regret. Common impacts of unmet physical and practical needs were financial burden and return-to-work difficulties. Over half of all unmet supportive care needs caused emotional and psychological impacts.Conclusions: Findings identify the detrimental emotional and psychological impacts resulting from a range of unmet supportive care needs. The review highlights the interconnections between supportive care need domains thereby enhancing the understanding of the impacts of unmet SCNs. Findings may inform policy and practice change to improve supportive cancer care.
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