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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
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Australian Journal of Primary Health

Australian Journal of Primary Health

Australian Journal of Primary Health publishes contributions on the theory and evidence-based practise of community health services and primary health care. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Virginia Lewis and Liz Sturgiss

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Journal of Primary Health has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 13 May 2024

PY23173The feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of screening for frailty in Australians aged 75 years and over attending Australian general practice

Jennifer Job 0000-0002-0307-9602, Caroline Nicholson, Debra Clark, Julia Arapova and Claire Jackson
 

In older persons, the risk of developing frailty increases with age, and people with frailty experience higher morbidity, mortality and lower quality of life. However, frailty risk is not currently formally assessed and tracked in general practice in Australia. This pilot study demonstrates that frailty in Australians aged ≥75 years is identified frequently, and its identification and the subsequent management recommendations to reverse or reduce frailty risk, can be readily incorporated into the general practice workflow.

PY23173 Abstract  |  PY23173 Full Text  | PY23173PDF (420 KB)  | PY23173Supplementary Material (1.8 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 May 2024

PY23163Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members’ experiences of care in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service transforming to a Patient Centred Medical Home

Anton Clifford-Motopi, Renee Brown (Nununccal), Antoinette White (Palawa Iningai), Patrice Harald (Gangulu), Danielle Butler, Saira Mathew, Julie Mackenzie, Martie Eaton and Richard Mills
 

The Patient Centred Medical Home (PCMH) aims to deliver primary healthcare based on what matters most to patients and their families.This study addressed the lack of published research i examining implementation of this model of care in Aborignal Community Controlled Health Services. The PCMH was acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and strengthened their relationships with health care providers. This provides an acceptable model of primary health care for other Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, with flexbility for tailoring to local context. .

PY23163 Abstract  |  PY23163 Full Text  | PY23163PDF (260 KB)  | PY23163Supplementary Material (827 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 06 May 2024

PY23046Social media group support for antidepressant deprescribing: a mixed-methods survey of patient experiences

Amy Coe 0000-0003-3723-7645, Noor Abid 0000-0002-8631-7273 and Catherine Kaylor-Hughes 0000-0003-3353-4108
 

Deprescribing of antidepressants is not routinely occurring in clinical practice, leading patients to seek help via other methods. Little is known about what role social media support groups play in a patient’s journey when ceasing antidepressant medication. This is one of the first studies to gain insight from antidepressant users who are also members of two Facebook groups providing support for antidepressant deprescribing. Lack of clinical knowledge by clinicians is a big driver for patients help seeking from their peers.

PY23046 Abstract  |  PY23046 Full Text  | PY23046PDF (396 KB)  | PY23046Supplementary Material (1.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 May 2024

PY23124Supporting best practice in the management of chronic diseases in primary health care settings: a scoping review of training programs for Indigenous Health Workers and Practitioners

Odette Pearson, Shwikar Othman, Kate Colmer, Sana Ishaque, Gloria Mejia, Sarah Crossing, David Jesudason, Gary Wittert, Paul Zimmet, Sophia Zoungas, Natalie Wischer, Kim Morey, Jane Giles, Sara Jones, Alex Brown and Saravana Kumar
 

Limited studies have sought to implement and evaluate novel workforce approaches to reducing differential diabetes-related outcomes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples populations. This review described the characteristics of the chronic disease management training programs and their effectiveness for Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners. Most included studies reported satisfaction with the training content, whereas some reported improved knowledge, confidence, and clinical and non-clinical skills of the participants. However, few studies reported knowledge transfer into clinical practice and client-related outcomes.

PY23124 Abstract  |  PY23124 Full Text  | PY23124PDF (582 KB)  | PY23124Supplementary Material (937 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 April 2024

PY23217Perceptions of general practitioners towards managing dental presentations in Australia: a qualitative study

Ruby Biezen 0000-0003-1736-9675, Angel Leong and Leanne Teoh 0000-0002-9138-813X
 

Patients with dental pain often seek treatment from general practitioners (GPs), even though the problem often requires dental treatment rather than antibiotics and/or pain relief medications. This study looked at GPs’ management of patients with dental problems, and identified barriers as to why patients would see a GP instead of a dentist. Understanding these reasons will help develop interventions to better educate patients in oral health, and provide better access to dental care to patients with oral conditions.

PY23217 Abstract  |  PY23217 Full Text  | PY23217PDF (366 KB)  | PY23217Supplementary Material (869 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 April 2024

PY23172Co-designing a Health Journey Mapping resource for culturally safe health care with and for First Nations people

Alyssa Cormick, Amy Graham, Tahlee Stevenson, Kelli Owen, Kim O’Donnell and Janet Kelly
 

We have co-designed Health Journey Mapping tools and resources with First Nations patients and families and with First Nations and non-First Nations healthcare professionals to address current gaps in care. These pragmatic, strengths-based tools and resources enhance and incorporate cultural safety, continuous quality and improvement and comprehensive care and can be used collaboratively by healthcare consumers and professionals to assess and improve the quality, access, experiences and outcomes of care.

PY23172 Abstract  |  PY23172 Full Text  | PY23172PDF (1.6 MB)  | PY23172Supplementary Material (1.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 March 2024

PY23140Experiences and perspectives of colorectal cancer survivors and general practitioners on the delivery of survivorship care in general practice: a mixed methods study

Bora Kim 0000-0002-7843-5106, Kate White, Marguerite Tracy, Janani Mahadeva, Julie Marker, Cheri Ostroff, Louise Acret, Simon Willcock and Claudia Rutherford
 

Many colorectal cancer survivors face various post-treatment challenges that impact their daily lives. How these are treated within the primary care setting remains poorly understood. This study found that colorectal cancer survivors commonly experienced various challenges after cancer treatment, such as fatigue, changed bowel habits and psychological difficulties, but often did not discuss them with their general practitioners. Potential ways to better identify and address these common post-treatment challenges for colorectal cancer survivors are needed.

PY23140 Abstract  |  PY23140 Full Text  | PY23140PDF (469 KB)  | PY23140Supplementary Material (1.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 March 2024

PY23178Impaired perception of cardiovascular risk and health literacy in individuals with high cardiovascular diseases risk from different socioeconomic levels in Antalya, Turkey

Aysegül Ilgaz 0000-0003-0640-2820, Ayse Dagistan Akgöz 0000-0002-2933-3402 and Sebahat Gözüm 0000-0001-8672-8016
 

This study investigates the relationship between health literacy and impaired cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk perception in individuals at high risk for CVD. It is not uncommon for those with high CVD risk to be unaware of their condition, which can be influenced by various factors, such as age, education level, work and family history. Health care providers assess CVD risk and recommend screening for those at risk. This research is one of the few that focuses on this important topic.

PY23178 Abstract  | PDF (672 KB) - $35.00   | PY23178Supplementary Material (744 KB)
Published online 05 March 2024

PY23074Mapping community-based youth mental health services in Tasmania, Australia

Melissa Savaglio, Marie Yap, Ash Vincent and Helen Skouteris
 

Standard descriptions of mental healthcare provision are needed to inform evidence-based mental healthcare policy, planning and implementation. Systematic service scoping and mapping of community-based youth mental health services in Tasmania, Australia highlighted the limited availability and accessibility of supports available for young people (aged under 25 years) experiencing mental illness. These findings may inform the (re)design, (re)development and implementation of community-based youth mental health services, including a focus on integrated models of youth mental healthcare.

PY23074 Abstract  |  PY23074 Full Text  | PY23074PDF (505 KB)  | PY23074Supplementary Material (582 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 01 March 2024

PY23200Access to primary eye care for people living with dementia: a call to action for primary care practitioners to ‘think vision’

Marianne Piano 0000-0003-0714-6339, Bao Nguyen 0000-0002-3097-619X, Flora Hui 0000-0003-2218-9951 and Constance Dimity Pond 0000-0001-6520-4213
 

Access to allied health services offers significant benefits for people living with dementia, yet access is currently fragmented and inconsistent. People living with dementia are at greater risk of experiencing vision impairment, preventable through regular eye examinations usually provided by community-based optometrists in a primary care capacity. We encourage all primary care practitioners to ‘think vision’ when consulting with people living with dementia, and advocate for a schedule of regular eye tests post-diagnosis.

This article belongs to the Collection Access to Primary Health Care.

PY23200 Abstract  |  PY23200 Full Text  | PY23200PDF (198 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 February 2024

PY23164A content analysis of the interventions for low back pain promoted on the websites of Australian pain clinics

Chris G. Maher 0000-0002-1628-7857, Christopher S. Han, Stephen E. Gilbert and Michael K. Nicholas
 

Information online about how low back pain should be treated is often not comprehensive and of low quality. Websites of Australian pain services endorsed by PainAustralia often offer treatments recommended for low back pain, but there is little information on the importance of interdisciplinary care and fewer pain services in non-urban areas. Patients are likely being educated about guideline-endorsed care for low back pain, but patients in non-urban areas are likely to experience difficulty in accessing this.

PY23164 Abstract  |  PY23164 Full Text  | PY23164PDF (254 KB)  | PY23164Supplementary Material (1.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 February 2024

PY23213‘Can a relative override a patient’s Advance Care Directive?’: end-of-life legal worries of general practitioners and nurses working in aged care

Ben White, Rachel Feeney 0000-0002-8306-1030, Marcus Sellars, Penny Neller, Patsy Yates and Lindy Willmott
 

The law supports good end-of-life clinical practice by facilitating health care that aligns with the values and goals of patients, including those residing in residential aged care facilities. GPs and nurses here reported broad-ranging legal concerns relevant to providing end-of-life care within aged care, including substitute decision makers/family members wanting to overrule Advance Care Directives, requests for futile or non-beneficial treatment and conflict about decision-making. Participants’ concerns can inform end-of-life legal training for aged care GPs and nurses.

PY23213 Abstract  |  PY23213 Full Text  | PY23213PDF (338 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 February 2024

PY23208Exploring the feasibility of a gambling harm screening model in general practice and community service settings in Fairfield: a pilot study

Andrew Reid 0000-0001-8173-2710, Nick McGhie 0000-0003-0827-9539, Thi Huyen Linh Nguyen 0000-0002-2815-0241, Uday Yadav 0000-0002-6626-1604, Patricia Cullen 0000-0003-4652-0936, Leon Booth 0000-0002-6326-1908 and Amy Bestman 0000-0003-1269-2123
 

Primary healthcare and community services are important settings for gambling harm screening, and more broadly can contribute to the prevention and treatment of gambling harm in communities. However, there has been limited research on how screening can be embedded into routine practice. This pilot research identifies the enablers and barriers to implementing a co-designed screening model in local primary care settings.

PY23208 Abstract  |  PY23208 Full Text  | PY23208PDF (815 KB)  | PY23208Corrigendum (118 KB)   Open Access Article

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