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The Focus articles featured in this issue highlight medico-legal concerns that may be encountered in general practice.
Professional
When an error leads to possible patient harm and a complaint, the impact on doctors and patients can be profound.
Technology such as social media can open up opportunities to engage, educate and inform; however, it is important to recognise that doctors’ legal and professional obligations apply online.
This article outlines the key steps a health practice can take towards managing its compliance with privacy laws and data breach notification requirements.
In two recent cases, Australian courts considered the role of professional guidelines in establishing whether doctors had met the required standard of care in a medical negligence claim.
Editorial
General practice is well placed to help design, deliver and evaluate collaborative partnerships with the legal profession.
Letters
Readers express their opinions on published articles and topics of interest.
Clinical
The majority of infants born at <32 weeks of gestation display normal neurodevelopment in early childhood. Regular follow-up is essential for early identification of neurodevelopmental morbidity.
Undescended testis is a common condition; management in a timely fashion may reduce the risk of malignancy and infertility.
Case Study
Consider Centor criteria before prescribing antibiotics in patients with a sore throat.
This review examines the anatomy of the pupillary pathway and provides a structured approach to examination of the pupils.
A Caucasian man aged 46 years, working as an oil rig area coordinator in remote South Australia, presented with incidental hyperglycaemia.
Research
Avenues for improving the care of patients with acne include explicit attention to psychological morbidity beyond treatment of the acne itself, and improved use of patient educational materials.
Following a fracture, patients with dementia are less likely to recover to their pre-fracture functional status.
Despite its common presentation and the availability of clinical practice guidelines to inform management, there appears to be unwarranted variation in treatment of urinary incontinence.
The first national-scale study of rural GP supervisors shows that more than half of rural GPs supervise registrars, and suggests the key factors related to supervision.
Viewpoint
Current literature does not support the ordering of an ‘autoimmune screen’; instead, tests should be ordered according to the clinical context.
The aim of achieving equitable access to bulk billing for those living in rural and regional Victoria has not yet been met, and may be under increasing pressure.
Clinical challenge
This clinical challenge is based on this month’s Focus articles. To complete this activity, go to gplearning and log in with the username and password you use to log in to the RACGP website.