Abstract
InnovAiT is produced on a 3 year cycle. However, many articles do not significantly go out of date in that time. This section of InnovAiT summarizes articles from the previous cycle of InnovAiT that GPs and GPs in training might still find useful today.
Multiple sclerosis
Dr Chantal Simon
InnovAiT 2009 2(4): p. 205–12
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic neurological disorder of young adults in the UK with a lifetime risk of around 1 in 1000. It is due to an autoimmune process of unknown cause and characterized by the formation of patches of demyelination (plaques) throughout the brain and spinal cord. There is no peripheral nerve involvement. Although the diagnosis of MS should never be made in primary care, this article describes symptoms that warrant specialist referral to exclude MS and provides an overview of the GP's role within the multidisciplinary team supporting patients with MS.
The annual epilepsy review
Dr Gonzalo Alarcon and Dr Chantal Simon
InnovAiT 2009 2(4): p. 213–21
Epilepsy is a group of disorders in which fits or seizures occur as a result of spontaneous abnormal electrical discharge in any part of the brain. This may be primary and often due to a genetic tendency (idiopathic epilepsy) or secondary to a structural abnormality of the cerebral cortex, for example, as a result of tumour or trauma (symptomatic epilepsy). Seizures take many forms but usually show the same pattern on each occasion for a given individual. An average GP practice will have approximately 20 patients with epilepsy. The Quality and Outcomes Framework requires that a register of patients with epilepsy is kept and patients with epilepsy are reviewed annually. This article aims to provide an overview of epilepsy and its ongoing management and guidance on the areas that should be covered in the annual review.
Parkinson's disease
Dr Chris Taggart and Dr Chantal Simon
InnovAiT 2009 2(4): p. 222–8
James Parkinson described the condition later named after him in ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy’ published in 1817. Parkinson's disease (PD) has an overall prevalence in the general population of around 160 per 100 000 and an annual incidence of 13 per 100 000. The mean age of presentation is 65 years. It is a progressive and debilitating neurological condition that results from loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra. This article overviews the presentation and ongoing management and support of patients with PD in primary care.
SAPC—innovating for general practice
Prof. Amanda Howe, Prof. Helen Lester and Prof. Paul Wallace
InnovAiT 2009 2(4): p. 258–9
The Society of Academic Primary Care or SAPC aims to promote excellence in research, education and policy development in general practice and primary health care. This article overviews what the SAPC does and explains how GPs in training can participate.
Working with colleagues and in teams
Dr Amar Rughani
InnovAiT 2009 2(4): p. 260–5
This article explores the competences framework of the GP curriculum further. It explains how consulting skills can be used in team working and explains how to build and work within a successful team.