BJGP (British Journal of General Practice)

Feb 13, 2025 | bjgp.org | Brian MacKenna |Andrew Brown |Richard Croker |Alex Walker

AbstractBackground: Many patients receive routine medications for long-term conditions (LTCs). Doctors typically issue repeat prescriptions in one to three month durations, but England currently has no national guidance on the optimal duration. Aim: Describe current prescription durations for common LTCs in England, explore and visualise geographical variation, and identify practice factors associated with shorter prescribing duration to inform policy making.

Jan 31, 2025 | bjgp.org | Sophie Rees |Matthew J Ridd |Lorelei Hunt |Hazel Everitt

AbstractBackground Shingles (herpes zoster), caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, is usually diagnosed and managed in primary care. The lifetime risk of shingles in the general population is approximately 30%, and it can have a detrimental effect on quality of life. There has been little qualitative research about patient experience and understanding of shingles. Aim To explore patient experiences and understanding of shingles.

Jan 31, 2025 | bjgp.org | Laura Neilson

All letters are subject to editing and may be shortened. General letters can be sent to [email protected] (please include your postal address for publication), and letters responding directly to BJGP articles can be submitted online via eLetters. We regret we cannot notify authors regarding publication. For submission instructions visit: bjgp.org/lettersThree years ago we asked what seemed a basic question. How many children died unexpectedly in temporary accommodation (TA)?

Jan 31, 2025 | bjgp.org | Andrew N Papanikitas

There is an idea that strikes terror (or more usually, cynicism) into the hearts of many doctors. Reflective practice is an embedded feature of both medical education and the overt appraisal of medical practice that is mandatory in the UK. It is, broadly, the idea that we can think about our experiences, critique and learn from them, and use the learning to enhance our own and others’ practice.

Jan 13, 2025 | bjgp.org | Sophie Rees |Matthew J Ridd |Lorelei Hunt |Hazel Everitt

general practicepainpatient experienceshinglesIntroductionHerpes zoster, commonly known as shingles (and hereafter referred to as ‘shingles’), is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (chickenpox virus) in adults. The lifetime risk of shingles in the general population is approximately 30%, and this increases with age.1 The onset and subsequent symptoms of the condition are quite distinct.