Journal of Primary Care and Community Health最新文献

{"title":"Clinical Outcomes of Switching U-100 Intermediate or Basal Insulin to U-200 Insulin Degludec or U-300 Insulin Glargine.","authors":"Natalie Rosario, Cami Hunger, Allison Pettijohn, K'bria Whaley, Andrea Pabon, Valeria Hohl, Bernadette Asias-Dinh, Jodie Gee, Joshua Wollen","doi":"10.1177/21501319251327318","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251327318","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Basal and intermediate insulin is available as U-100 (glargine, determir, NPH) or ultra-long-acting (ULA) U-200 (degludec) or U-300 (glargine). Insulins may be substituted with other insulin formulations based on financial factors, formulary preferences, patient preference, and patient response.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluate the impact on total daily dose of insulin when switching from an intermediate or basal U-100 to a ULA insulin.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-center retrospective chart review was performed at a federally qualified health center. Patients switched from a U-100 intermediate or basal insulin to a U-200 degludec or U-300 glargine ULA insulin from 2019 to March 2024 were assessed. Clinical measures assessed were initial intermediate or basal insulin total daily dose, ULA insulin total daily dose at time of switch, at 1, 3, and 6 months, and change in HgbA1c, BMI, and weight.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When switched from a U-100 to a U-200 or U-300 insulin (<i>n</i> = 53), basal insulin total daily dose decreased by 13.1 units at 6 months (<i>P</i> < .05). At the 6-month mark after ULA switch, HgbA1c decreased (<i>P</i> < .001), but BMI (<i>P</i> = .161) and weight (<i>P</i> = .076) were similar. HgbA1c, BMI, weight, and total daily insulin dose were not significantly different between patients assigned U-200 and U-300 insulins.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients switched from a U-100 basal insulin may utilize a lower total daily dose of a ULA insulin and experience reductions in HgbA1c, BMI, and weight.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251327318"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11960159/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143755223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic Disease Patients' Engagement in Interprofessional Telehealth Collaboration in Primary Care: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Monica McGraw, Anaelle Morin, Vanessa Tremblay Vaillancourt, Marie-Eve Poitras, Yves Couturier, Isabelle Gaboury, Marie-Dominique Poirier","doi":"10.1177/21501319251333858","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251333858","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the rise of people being affected with chronic illness, now the leading cause of mortality worldwide, primary care is overwhelmed with the demand for healthcare services. Primary healthcare is the first resource for patients living with chronic illness, but in 2019, COVID-19 brought healthcare professionals to increase services through virtual care for patients living with chronic illness. In the workplace, such professionals often need to be sufficiently resourced to collaborate, to address collaborative care barriers in telehealth and to keep patients engaged in their health. We performed a scoping review to identify how patients living with chronic diseases actively engage and describe their involvement in the process of interprofessional collaboration within the context of telehealth in primary care settings. We followed Arksey and O'Malley's and the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological guidelines to conduct this scoping review. The analysis of the retained twelve studies showed little distinction between the experience of interprofessional collaboration from the patient's perspective in a telehealth context compared to a face-to-face context. However, we were able to identify gaps (eg, limited insight onto engagement dynamic, lack of patient-centric research, and insufficient research on patient engagement) relating to the experiences of patients, patient engagement, and professionals who have used telehealth. In an era of digital innovations, this lack of literature regarding the patient experience may jeopardize the quality of the interprofessional collaboration services offered to patients and patient engagement. This gap in patient engagement integrated into interprofessional collaboration in a telehealth context needs to be addressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251333858"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12144354/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144235531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of a Housing and Health Focused Residency Curriculum on Community Health Worker Utilization for Unmet Housing Needs.","authors":"Marc Shi, Samuel Woo, Samantha Levano, Kevin Fiori, Shwetha Iyer","doi":"10.1177/21501319251340818","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251340818","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction/objectives: </strong>Stable housing is a well-recognized health-related social need (HRSN) with little attention in medical training. This study examined the efficacy of a resident housing curriculum on referrals to a Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention to assist patients with unmet housing needs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on Internal Medicine residents at a large urban residency program in Bronx, NY. We utilized multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression to determine whether clinician curriculum exposure increased CHW referrals among patients who self-reported housing needs in a HRSN screening tool between July 2021 and August 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine hundred six unique patients screened positive for unmet housing needs, and 303 (33.4%) patients were referred to CHWs by eligible clinicians (n = 118). Clinician exposure to the curriculum was not a significant predictor of CHW referrals (aOR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.69-1.54), adjusting for covariates. Patient age (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99), Spanish language (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.09-2.51), and Medicaid coverage (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.03-2.51) were associated with likelihood of referral.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings demonstrate that the curriculum did not increase CHW referrals. Multimodal educational and systemic interventions that support the use of existing workflows may be needed to increase uptake of interventions to address HRSNs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251340818"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12166233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embedding Health-Related Social Needs Screening and Resource Navigation in a U.S. Forensic Asylum Clinic: A Pilot Intervention.","authors":"Allison Arteaga Argumedo, Manami T Uechi, Matthew G Gartland, Altaf Saadi","doi":"10.1177/21501319251348065","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251348065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite increased focus on social determinants of health, little is known about screening and intervention for asylum seekers, a highly marginalized group. We present the feasibility of a pilot social needs screening and resource navigation program at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Asylum Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinicians and staff referred patients who had a forensic evaluation in the clinic for screening. We screened across ten domains: (1) Housing and utilities, (2) Food security, (3) Access to healthcare, (4) Transportation, (5) Education/ Literacy, (6) Employment, (7) Childcare, (8) Disability/Disabling conditions, (9) Psychosocial well-being, and (10) Personal safety.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From April 2021 to June 2022, we evaluated 118 patients in the clinic. Twenty-eight (24%) completed screening. Their average age was 35.5 years (range = 18-67) and 50% were men. They came from 11 countries, with Uganda (25%), Cameroon (14%), El Salvador (14%), and Ecuador (14%) most represented. Most common needs were access to healthcare (86%), employment (46%), psychosocial wellbeing (43%), and education (43%). Applicants also typically screened positive for multiple domains (mean = 3.3, SD = 2.2, range = 1-8 domains).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our pilot social needs screening and resource navigation program in an academic asylum clinic demonstrates the model's feasibility. Future studies should explore patient experiences and outcomes following referral.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251348065"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12174709/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144310589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of the Primary Care Transformation Lead: A Qualitative Case Study.","authors":"Atharv Joshi, Judith B Brown, Janet Dang, Jacobi Elliott, Shurabi Anphalagan, Shannon L Sibbald","doi":"10.1177/21501319251327909","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251327909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The introduction of Ontario Health Teams in Canada is a step toward achieving an equitable integrated system of care. The Middlesex-London Ontario Health Team (MLOHT) has been developed in parallel to the London-Middlesex Primary Care Alliance (LMPCA), a grassroots network for primary care physicians, health care administrators, and nurse practitioners. Key in the growth of the LMPCA was hiring a primary care transformation lead to support in engagement. This qualitative case study aims to describe the implementation of a primary care transformation lead within an integrated care setting through feedback from healthcare personnel.</p><p><strong>Methods and findings: </strong>Family physicians, healthcare administrators, and administrative support personnel were recruited from the LMPCA and the MLOHT and interviewed. This analysis revealed 4 key components central to the role of a primary care transformation lead: (re)-building relationships, flexibility and adaptability, importance of role clarity, and motivation for change. Findings suggested that a primary care transformation lead can improve workflow among physicians by assisting in administrative tasks. Through streamlining information for primary care physicians, and building community networks, transformation leads can also enhance communication. Additionally, they can maintain an open environment for physicians to share their challenges to collaboratively develop solutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study exemplifies the role of primary care transformation leads in improving workflow, building networks, decreasing administrative burden, and facilitating an open environment in a primary care setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251327909"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11910736/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Management of Psychosis and Schizophrenia by Primary Care GPs: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain.","authors":"Jesús Sepúlveda-Muñoz, Casta Quemada González, María M Hurtado Lara, Ángel Manuel Gutiérrez García, Celia Martí-García, José María García-Herrera Pérez-Bryan, José Miguel Morales-Asencio","doi":"10.1177/21501319241306177","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319241306177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate the detection and initial management of first psychotic episodes, as well as established schizophrenia, within the primary care of the Andalusian Health System.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Delay in detecting and treating psychosis is associated with slower recovery, higher relapse risk, and poorer long-term outcomes. Often, psychotic episodes go unnoticed for years before a diagnosis is established. Primary care physicians are crucial for early recognition of psychosis and schizophrenia, especially in Spain, where primary care is the main entry point to healthcare services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional exploratory study. All active primary care physicians in the Malaga Guadalhorce Health District were invited to participate. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey was conducted online. The survey, adapted and validated for the local context, included 22 items and 5 sociodemographic questions covering early detection, treatment options, physical health monitoring, and management challenges. Descriptive and bivariate analyses summarized the data and explored correlations between key variables.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The study included 142 primary care physicians (response rate 35.5%), with 28.9% men and 71.1% women, primarily from urban areas (83.1%). Most had completed residency training (86.6%), with 79.6% receiving psychiatric training. However, only 5.6% had participated in training sessions in the last 5 years, with all such sessions lasting less than 30 h. Physicians typically managed 0-10 patients with diagnosed schizophrenia and saw these patients 2 to 3 times annually. They often felt capable of managing these patients, especially with mental health consultancy support. Physical health monitoring was common, though some relied on mental health services to do this. Collaboration with mental health services was moderate, with high utility perceived for having a list of patients with severe mental disorders in their care panel.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Family physicians are generally confident in managing psychosis and schizophrenia but lack recent specialized training. Mental health consultancy services are valued, but collaboration with these services needs improvement. Clear guidelines and enhanced training are essential to ensure comprehensive care, addressing both mental and physical health needs of these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319241306177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advocating Submission of Case Reports in Family Medicine: An Analysis of Case Report Submissions in Journals Related to Family Medicine.","authors":"Apichai Wattanapisit, Kosin Sirirak, Sanhapan Wattanapisit, Chirk Jenn Ng, Chin Hai Teo, Nutchar Wiwatkunupakarn, Piyachon Aramrat, Chaisiri Angkurawaranon","doi":"10.1177/21501319251320171","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251320171","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Family medicine embraces a wide range of principles. Identifying appropriate journals for publishing family medicine case reports can be challenging for authors. This study aims to identify journals related to family medicine that publish case reports and summarize the requirements of case report submissions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Journals related to family medicine were identified from the subject categories: \"family practice\" in Scopus and \"primary health care\" in Web of Science. The author's instructions on the journal websites regarding the criteria for case report submissions were reviewed, and the specific requirements for case reports of each journal were recorded. Journals were excluded if family medicine was not the main aim and scope.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 80 journals focused on family medicine, 30 (37.5%) were found to accept submissions of case reports. These reports were classified into various article types, such as case reports, patient studies, clinical case studies. The length of the main text varied between 400 and 3000 words, and some journals did not mandate an abstract. However, for those that did, abstracts typically ranged from 50 to 300 words. The number of references cited ranged from 5 to 30.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Less than half of the journals in the family medicine field accept case report submissions. It is advisable for authors to choose their target journal early in the preparation process, as each journal typically provides specific submission guidelines and instructions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251320171"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11829294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Health Fair Attendees in Utah.","authors":"Jordan E Johnson, Svenja Pauleck, Andrea J H Williamson, Maranda Pahlkotter, Federica S Brecha, Nathaniel Ferre, Nancy Ortiz, Robin L Marcus, Sheetal Hardikar, Jessica N Cohan","doi":"10.1177/21501319251316659","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251316659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake remains suboptimal despite the importance and effectiveness of various testing options. The purpose of our study was to identify barriers and facilitators to CRC screening in a community-based sample in Salt Lake County, Utah to inform future efforts to develop effective interventions to increase CRC screening.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study enrolled adults eligible for CRC screening at 6 community health events. Participants completed targeted questionnaires based on whether they had discussed screening with a provider and whether they had received screening. We identified participant-reported barriers to CRC screening using descriptive analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify participant characteristics associated with receipt of screening.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 117 participants who completed the questionnaires, 43.6% were 50 to 60 years old, 36.8% identified as white, and 51.3% identified as non-Hispanic. The most common barrier to colonoscopy was the need for extensive bowel preparation (30.8%). For stool tests, common barriers included handling stool (20.5%) and not understanding how to do the test (20.5%). For virtual colonoscopy, barriers included the need for extensive bowel preparation (21.4%) and cost (21.4%). Most participants (67.5%) believed that they should know about all CRC screening options available, and their importance. The majority of participants (68.4%) preferred to learn about CRC screening from their doctor or healthcare provider. Younger age was associated with non-screening.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We observed that study participants faced procedural barriers to complete CRC screening and preferred to learn about CRC screening options through their providers. Younger age groups were less likely to receive screening within our study sample. Future, targeted interventions to increase CRC screening should focus on increasing the awareness of the importance of CRC screening and educating patients on the various screening options available and their benefits, especially as they pertain to less invasive tests and targeting younger individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251316659"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143459895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"General Practitioners' Views on Communication About Dietary Supplements During Periodic Health Examinations: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Germany.","authors":"Thomas Okon, Sascha Eickmann, Sophia Wagner, Hansjörg Baurecht, Anne Herrmann","doi":"10.1177/21501319251333388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319251333388","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The global dietary supplements (DS) market is expanding, numerous adults regularly consume DS. Potential interactions with prescribed medications raise concerns, but communication about DS intake during medical consultations remains limited. This study explores general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of communication on DS during periodic health examinations (PHEs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 162 German GPs between May and August 2021. The pseudonymized web-based questionnaire assessed DS-related was carried out to analyze quantitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 162 general practitioners (GPs) participated in the survey, aged 50.2 years (±11.1). While 64.8% of GPs considered DS to be an important topic, 38.8% rarely or never (<25% of conducted PHE) addressed DS during PHEs. Personal DS use (Cramers' <i>V</i> = 0.407; <i>P</i> < .001) and considering DS an important topic (Cramers' <i>V</i> = 0.231; <i>P</i> = .016) were associated with more frequent discussions about DS. Time constraints (24.9%), competing priorities (21.4%), and uncertainty about DS (20.5%) were identified to be the main barriers. Suggestions for improving communication included offering more reliable information and including DS in the medication plan.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This is the first study addressing communication about DS in Germany. Despite recognizing the relevance of DS, GPs' communication practices remain limited due to time constraints and competing priorities. Integrating DS in the PHE could identify potential interactions with medication, strengthen patient-doctor-relationship, and satisfy patients' needs for individualized counseling. Implementation of standardized DS documentation in medication plans and the provision of evidence-based information resources may improve patient safety and fulfill GPs informational needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251333388"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12062601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"General Practitioners' Needs and Preferences Regarding the Provision of Self-sampling Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in Flanders, Belgium.","authors":"Eva Gezels, Sara Willems, Katrien Vanthomme, Lien Keersse, Kaatje Van Roy","doi":"10.1177/21501319251320178","DOIUrl":"10.1177/21501319251320178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Screening coverage for cervical cancer remains suboptimal in Flanders, Belgium. The upcoming transition to primary HPV screening in January 2025 presents an opportunity to offer self-sampling kits (SSKs) as an alternative to conventional Pap smears, with the potential to increase participation rates. General practitioners (GPs) can play a crucial role in reaching under-screened populations. Hereto it is essential to understand the needs and preferences of GPs regarding the integration of SSKs into their routine practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs participating in an implementation study on the added value of SSKs for long-term non-screened women, focusing on their experiences, challenges, and suggestions regarding the provision of SSKs to these patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The interviewed GPs recognized the potential of SSKs to increase participation, particularly due to their less invasive nature, which makes them more acceptable to underscreened women. Time constraints, technical software challenges, limited knowledge and doubt about SSK accuracy were identified as key barriers to implement SSKs in routine practice. GPs emphasized the need for adaptability in the distribution methods of SSKs, with many preferring a combination of mailing the SSKs and providing them in person. Personalized communication and tailored explanations were considered as crucial to ensure patient acceptance and the correct use of the tests.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study shows that while GPs recognize the potential of SSKs to enhance cervical cancer screening, several challenges need to be addressed for their effective integration into primary care. A successful approach should incorporate streamlined support systems, tailored approaches to implement reminders for GPs and improved education for GPs. Future research should consider quantitative data on the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of SSKs in the specific context of Flanders and the perspectives of a broader range of stakeholders, including patients, practice nurses, gynecologists and policymakers, to develop more comprehensive strategies for the successful implementation of SSKs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Primary Care and Community Health","volume":"16 ","pages":"21501319251320178"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11938895/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143711581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}