RAS is common in hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects. The presence of a femoral bruit is a useful predictive clinical marker. The captopril test is not useful in predicting the hemodynamic significance of RAS in this patient group.
Background: In Australia, melanoma is managed in primary and secondary care settings. An individual concerned about a suspicious lesion typically presents first to their GP.Aim: To identify factors influencing GPs' decisions to diagnose, treat, or refer patients with suspected melanoma.Design & setting: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 23 GPs working in general practice or skin cancer clinics in Australia.
Method:The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, de-identified, and professionally transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Considerable variation existed in GPs' self-reported confidence and involvement in melanoma management. Multiple factors were identified as influencing GPs' decisions to diagnose, treat, or refer patients with suspected or confirmed melanoma. Health system level factors included the overlapping roles of GPs and specialists, and access to and/or availability of specialists. Practice level factors included opportunities for formal and informal training, and having a GP with a special interest in skin cancer within their practice. GP and patient level factors included the GP's clinical interests, Smith AL et al.the clinical features (for example, site and size) and histopathology of the suspected melanoma, eligibility for possible sentinel lymph node biopsy, and patient preferences. For some GPs, concerns over misdiagnosis and the option of referring patients at any stage in the melanoma management continuum appeared to affect their interest and confidence in melanoma management.Conclusion: GP involvement in melanoma patient care can extend well beyond cancer screening, prevention and supportive care roles to include provision of definitive melanoma patient management. GPs with an interest in being involved in melanoma management should be encouraged and supported to develop the skills needed to manage these patients, and to refer when appropriate.
How this fits inIn Australia, melanoma can potentially be diagnosed and treated wholly within the primary care setting, yet little is known about how GPs decide how involved they wish to be in melanoma management. This qualitative interview study reveals the diversity of GP engagement in melanoma management and highlights how GPs' involvement can extend well beyond prevention, early detection, and supportive care to include provision of definitive melanoma management. The study identifies multiple factors influencing a GP's decision to treat or refer a patient with melanoma. The findings indicate that more attention should be given to GPs' involvement in melanoma management, in particular to how GPs can be further supported to deliver optimal melanoma care.
Background and objective In Australia, the uptake of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appears low despite clinical practice guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to SLNB. Methods GPs were recruited at an annual conference and a skin cancer skills workshop, and using GP professional communications. A mixed methods approach comprised a cross-sectional questionnaire and, for a subset of participants, semi-structured interviews. Results Overall, 231 GPs completed the questionnaire, of whom 23 were interviewed. One-third (32%) described themselves as quite or very familiar with the guidelines, and two-thirds (68%) thought that SLNB had an important role in the management of patients with melanoma. Of GPs who would discuss SLNB with eligible patients, <40% correctly identified that SLNB is recommended for patients with an invasive melanoma >1 mm thick. Conclusions GPs were generally supportive of SLNB. Familiarity with the guidelines was low, particularly regarding which patients should be considered for SLNB.
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