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 However, many articles do not significantly go out of date in that time.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 summarises articles from the previous cycle of InnovAiT that GPs and GPs in training might still find useful today.
Hair disorders
Dr Laura Towersey
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 63–74
There are many causes of hair disorders and it is important to distinguish normal physiological processes from abnormal pathology. It is therefore useful to understand the normal changes associated with the hair follicle cycle, as well as adopting a systematic approach to a patient's presentation. Like many other conditions in dermatology, hair problems can be extremely distressing for the patient and are not always easy to remedy. This article aims to provide an overview of the common causes of hair loss and hair excess and their management in primary care.
Childhood skin rashes
Dr Ha-Neul Seo and Mr Benedict Evans
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 75–81
While the most prevalent skin conditions in the paediatric age group include acne, dermatitis/eczema, bacterial and fungal infections, other articles published in InnovAiT cover these topics in detail. This article aims to provide an overview of some of the conditions frequently encountered in the paediatric dermatology clinic, considering in particular birthmarks, vascular malformations, neonatal skin conditions, paediatric skin tumours, mucocutaneous syndromes and infections, including viral exanthems.
A cut above the rest
Dr Jonathan Botting
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 82–85
This article looks at how GPs might pursue an interest in minor surgery by looking at recent changes, not only in training and assessment, but also in commissioning. From this background, this article explores the knowledge and skills needed to gain accreditation to perform minor surgery and the evidence that must be recorded.
Developmental coordination disorder
Dr Helen Carslaw
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 87–90
‘Developmental dyspraxia’, also known as ‘developmental coordination disorder’ (DCD), describes a condition of impaired motor function. Children with the disorder are impacted to the extent that activities of daily living are impaired. It is generally thought that there will be at least one child with DCD in each class at school. Therefore, it is important that GPs are aware of how DCD presents and the type of challenges that children with the condition face. It is also useful to know some practical strategies that can be used to make the environment easier for children with DCD.
Severe learning disablity
Dr Arshya Vahabzadeh, Dr Vijay Delaffon, Dr Mizrab Abbas and Dr Asit Biswas
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 91–97
This article provides an overview of severe learning disability. It seeks to define learning disability and look at the aetiological basis for severe learning disability in the UK. It also looks at the important role that GPs play in diagnosis and long-term management of people with severe learning disability.
Assessing mental capacity
Dr Fiona de Ferrars and Dr Rohit Shankar
InnovAiT 2011 4(2): 98–103
Mental capacity is the ability to make decisions, and this ability becomes especially important when the decisions may have legal ramifications. Since the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the accompanying Code of Practice (The Code) came into force in 2007, there has been an increased emphasis on the assessment of mental capacity. GPs are now expected to be able to assess mental capacity regarding a wide range of matters. This article gives an overview of the legal background, the ways in which capacity can be assessed and the occasions when it may be necessary.