Authors

Clare Heal

MBChB, DRANZCOG, DipGUMed, SM Epi, FRACGP, MPHTM, PhD, General Practitioner; Promotional Chair, Discipline of General Practice, Mackay Clinical School, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Mackay, Qld


Awareness of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian primary care: A qualitative descriptive study

Despite recent exponential growth in research on familial hypercholesterolaemia, there remains a general lack of public and health professional awareness about the disorder.


Building a bridge from the swamp to the ivory tower: Conducting randomised controlled trials in general practice

Medical research in Australia has mostly been conducted in tertiary hospital settings, but as the majority of illnesses are managed in primary care, there is a need for a change in focus.


Clinical prediction rules for surgical site infection after minor surgery in general practice

The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical prediction rule based on identified risk factors for surgical site infection in a large general practice patient cohort.


Cost impact of undertaking detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice

Screening and management in general practice has the potential for substantial health benefits while requiring relatively modest investments from the health system.


Familial hypercholesterolaemia and cascade testing in general practice: Lessons from COVID-19

The recent increased public experience with epidemiological concepts such as contact tracing offers new potential to improve detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia.


General practice research priority setting in Australia: Informing a research agenda to deliver best patient care

A study that identifies a set of general practice research priorities to guide resource allocation and to inform a research agenda that optimises best patient care.


HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: Knowledge and attitudes among general practitioners

This study provided a timely assessment of general practitioner knowledge and attitudes to prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.


A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of ice to reduce the pain of immunisation: The ICE trial

Vaccination-site pain is now a recognised adverse effect, and adequate pain management strategies should be incorporated into every vaccination.


Improving antibiotics targeting using PCR point-of-care testing for group A streptococci in patients with uncomplicated acute sore throat

Evidence supports some beneficial effects of antibiotics prescribed to patients with a sore throat and proven presence of group A streptococci.


Improving general practice research in Australia

Improving general practice-based research will enable the development of contextually relevant evidence-based medicine and recommendations in general practice, ultimately benefitting Australians.


Participant experiences of intervention to detect and manage familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice: A qualitative descriptive study

Patient health literacy is a barrier to both management of familial hypercholesterolaemia and cascade testing.


Implications of new clinical practice guidance on familial hypercholesterolaemia for Australian general practitioners

Recent consensus advice on the care of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) supports improved care of patients with FH in the primary care setting.


Oral corticosteroids for painful acute otitis externa (swimmer’s ear): A triple-blind randomised controlled trial

If a benefit of oral corticosteroids is not proven, then physicians currently prescribing it need to be advised of this finding.


Preserving antibiotics for the future: Where Australian general practice sits on the global spectrum

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy is Australia’s commitment to the health of future generations.