The success of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine program reflects the trust the people of Australia have in their general practices and their general practitioners.

This issue focuses on identification and management of conditions affecting the skin.

Education in oral health literacy is key, and timely referral to dental practitioners may provide better patient outcomes with fewer potentially preventable hospitalisations.

There is concerning evidence that people with mental illness have poorer physical health and lower life expectancies than those without mental illness.

Ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, pain and limb weakness as well as functional impairment post initial diagnosis were common.

Given its frequent facial involvement, melasma has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients.

General practitioners are ideally placed to identify high-risk infantile haemangiomas and coordinate their management.

This procedure is a simple, quick and cost-effective option which, when used appropriately and correctly, has shown excellent clinical efficacy and favourable cosmetic outcomes.

In addition to their medical implications, these skin manifestations can be a source of patient distress as a result of symptomatology and cosmesis.

Responding to the pandemic, ACCHOs in many locations increased the number and type of services they were delivering via telehealth, particularly for general practice–related services.

The aim of this study was to determine what underlying factors, if any, impeded onsite COVID-19 testing in general practices for patients during the second wave of the pandemic in Victoria.

Internationally, eConsultant models have been trialled to address demands on healthcare systems without requiring face-to-face specialist input.

This month’s issue spotlights a common movement disorder in general practice – Parkinson’s disease – in addition to discussing assessment of gait and the importance of posture.

Parkinson’s disease is now recognised as a whole-body disorder, not a motor disorder with accompanying non-motor features.

This clinical challenge is based on this month's Focus articles. To complete this activity, go to the RACGP website.