Tag: general practice

Research Paper of the Year Award for Bristol-led eczema study

Posted on by capcbristol

University of Bristol-led research comparing the effectiveness and safety of different types of moisturiser for childhood eczema has won the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Paper of the Year (RPY) Award 2022.

One hand dispensing cream onto the other hand.

The research was led by Matthew Ridd, a GP and Professor of Primary Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, and the award was announced at the RCGP Conference in Glasgow today [19 October].

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded ‘Best Emollients for Eczema (BEE)’ clinical trial compared lotions, creams, gels and ointments used to treat childhood eczema. The trial found no difference in the effectiveness or safety between the four emollient (moisturiser) types, leading the authors to conclude that “the right moisturiser for children is the one that they like to use.”

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Amitriptyline helps relieve IBS symptoms

Posted on by capcbristol

AA cheap and widely available prescription drug can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients seen in GP surgeries, new research presented today at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2023 has found.

Person sitting in a chair slightly bent over and clutching their stomach.

Amitriptyline, which is commonly used at low doses for a range of health concerns, has been found to improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms too, according to the results of the ATLANTIS trial.

Led by researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Southampton, and Bristol and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study was conducted in primary care. GPs prescribed the drug and patients managed their own dose based on the severity of their symptoms, using an adjustment document designed for the trial. Most people with IBS are seen and managed in primary care by their GP, which means that the results of this trial are likely to be applicable to many people with the condition.

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Experiences of support for domestic abuse in UK general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on by capcbristol

The experiences of patients who sought help in general practice for domestic violence and abuse (DVA) during the COVID-19 pandemic have been revealed in a study by researchers at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol.

Mother holds small baby in one arm as she types on a laptop with her other hand.

The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP), compared the views of 21 patients (women, men and children) with the views of 13 healthcare professionals (GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals).

Overall, the study found that general practice played an important role in supporting patients affected by domestic abuse during the pandemic, although this was against a backdrop of concerns of rising numbers of DVA cases and falling referral of cases. Access to services was further hampered by the imposition of lockdown measures and a shift to remote care.

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NHS resources saved following GP practice changes based on inflammatory marker testing research

Posted on by capcbristol

Research into inflammatory marker testing has led to a reduction and rationalisation in their use by GPs in both Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and the South West Peninsula.

Part-filled tray of blood test tubes.
Image credit: Photo from Unsplash, by National Cancer Institute

In BNSSG alone, data suggests the research saved the local NHS nearly £115,000 and GPs more than 600 hours a year. Further savings will have come from avoiding follow-on appointments for thousands of false positives.

The research was led by Dr Jessica Watson, an academic GP at the Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol, as part of her ARC West supported PhD.

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