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20th August 2008 @ 1:44am |
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Volume 5, Number 3, May-June 2008POPULAR CHANGING BEHAVIOURBuilding rapport with
patients: actions speak
louder than words
The use of language is obviously very important in effective communication, and gives important clues as to how people make sense of the world around them, and how they understand their experiences, as we saw in an introduction to neurolinguistic programming (NLP) in the last issue of BJPCN. In this article, we will look at how to use effective body language and non-verbal communication to its fullest extent in the clinic setting. EDITORIALEditorial It is hard to believe that time goes so quickly. The spring lambs in the fields are now all fat, while they were small and wobbly not two minutes ago. Summer is on its way – fingers crossed for some balmy days! I have the relief of some respite from travelling round the country delivering training sessions during the summer, as everyone is taking a well-earned break. Reflecting while on the train, I recognised again that I always learn more than the students whenever I teach. I would like to share some of these gems of wisdom so you can think about them over this summer period. NEWSNews from Education for Health POPULAR Do you see patients with diabetes? Do you advise them about their diet? If so, you have an incredibly important role in developing patients’ self-confidence and empowering them to be able to make healthier choices. In this article we look at how to advise patients newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet. A patient-centred approach is vital, with advice offered in a supportive, non-judgmental and non-didactic manner. EVIDENCE IN PRACTICEEvidence in Practice There are just not enough hours in the day to read all the research journals, even if you wanted to. This section of BJPCN – Evidence in Practice – will keep you on top of relevant research without having to spend hours in the library. Each review gives you a bite-size summary of new research, pulling out key points for primary care and recommending the action that you might consider taking. HAVE YOU HEARD?Have you heard? POPULAR There are several blood tests available to measure blood glucose levels. Some require the patient to fast while others do not. Understanding and interpreting the results accurately are essential in optimising the management of our patients with diabetes. This article looks specifically at the HbA1c test and its significance. We define what it is and when we should carry out this test, as well as helping you to understand what the results mean and the targets we are aiming for. POPULAR Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful and treatable. The recognition of CKD as a public health problem has evolved, in part, from the acceptance of the conceptual model of CKD as a vascular risk factor and the introduction of a standard definition and classification of CKD. In this article, we look at the impact of CKD, its close association with cardiovascular disease and how to optimise its detection and management in primary care today. POPULAR Everyone between 40 and 74 years of age is to be offered checks for vascular disease as part of the new Putting Prevention First programme. The aim is to identify vulnerability to vascular diseases, with the goal of preventing up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes and saving 2,000 lives every year. Who will this programme target, and what will we need to do to put it into action? THERAPEUTICS REVIEWAliskiren: the first
direct renin inhibitor
for hypertension
Aliskiren (Rasilez) is the first in a new class of medicines – the direct renin inhibitors – to treat high blood pressure to become available in more than a decade. In this article we review how aliskiren works, what makes it different from other drugs acting on the reninangiotensin system (RAS), its efficacy and tolerability and its likely place in the management of hypertension. PATIENT INFORMATIONStarting on your GTN tablets or spray HANDS ONOptimising your patients' recovery after stroke Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year, according to the Stroke Association. Most people affected are over 65, but younger people can have a stroke. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and is also an important cause of disability, with more than 250,000 people left disabled following a stroke. The recent National Stroke Strategy for England set out a quality framework to improve stroke services. In this article, we review what we can do to help optimise outcomes for our patients who have a stroke. |
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