{"title":"Skin changes of the female breast: A guide to assessment and management.","authors":"Elisabeth Rippy","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7428","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The breast can be affected by a wide range of dermatological conditions. Some conditions are unique to the skin of the breast, whereas others occur elsewhere on the body. General practitioners (GPs) will see both benign and malignant skin conditions of the breast; a nuanced approach to assessing and managing these conditions is required.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This paper gives an overview of the breast skin changes commonly seen in a GP practice, with aetiology, symptoms and guidance on treatment and management.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The symptoms of breast skin conditions might overlap. Failure to resolve with adequate treatment could indicate a serious underlying aetiology and the patient needs to be seen by a specialist for further investigation. Early referral decreases morbidity and, in malignant disease, mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"259-264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144018401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breast health.","authors":"Claire Denness","doi":"128/AJGP-05-25-1234e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/128/AJGP-05-25-1234e","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"245"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ferric carboxymaltose: A practical guide on the administration of iron infusions in general practice.","authors":"Sunaina Patel","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-07-24-7354","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-07-24-7354","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite having strong knowledge on iron deficiency, there is ongoing hesitancy among general practitioners (GPs) in providing iron infusions due to reduced confidence in the administration technique and concerns about adverse events.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article aims to prepare GPs, general practice registrars and other health providers with the knowledge to confidently and safely perform ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) infusions. It provides education around the use of parenteral iron, including indications, storage, administration, PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) subsidy, side effects, contraindications and benefits. It might also assist already seasoned GPs with supplementary information, or those not performing infusions, with information about pre- and post-infusion care.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>GPs play a pivotal role in both detection and management of iron deficiency and are arguably best suited to facilitate iron infusions. The goal is to reduce the responsibility burden on the hospital system, as well as assist GPs to maintain advanced skills and provide holistic care.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"287-294"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144043806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Doctor Impostor.","authors":"Richard Hays","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-01-25-7533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-01-25-7533","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is AI A-OK? Medicolegal considerations for general practitioners using AI scribes.","authors":"Owen Bradfield, Patrick Mahar","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Good medical records are an essential part of healthcare. However, the burden of clinical documentation can reduce clinician productivity and add to stress and anxiety. Artificial intelligence (AI) scribes offer a solution by using large language models to predict text and rapidly generate complex records. Important medicolegal issues should be considered before adopting AI scribes into clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article examines this rapidly emerging field, the medicolegal issues faced by general practitioners and provides references to relevant legislation, guidelines and cases.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>General practitioners (GPs) must understand how AI scribes work and test them before implementing them into their practice. Patient consent must be obtained before each use; data must be stored and retained in accordance with relevant privacy laws; and records must accurately reflect the content of the consultation, and comply with regulations governing their content and creation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"304-310"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144033281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The assessment of premature thelarche.","authors":"Lisa Hammerton","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7435","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Premature thelarche (PT) is defined as early breast development without other signs of pubertal maturation. It is frequently considered to be a normal variant of pubertal growth in girls. When premature thelarche presents under the age of two years, most infants will have spontaneous remission.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Progression to precocious puberty (PP) can be seen in infants with PT, especially when breast development commences after the age of five years. With consequences on bone maturation and final height, it is imperative that general practitioners (GPs) confidently differentiate isolated benign PT from that which might progress to PP.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This article emphasises the importance of simple baseline investigations, referral red flags and judicious follow-up to allay parental anxiety or expedite treatment of PT for those children who need it.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 5","pages":"252-258"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The difference the system makes.","authors":"Ashvini Munindradasa, Kirsty Douglas","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-09-24-7413","DOIUrl":"10.31128/AJGP-09-24-7413","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity is prevalent and tertiary prevention of the complications of obesity can be provided through publicly funded obesity management clinics (PFOMCs) as well as private obesity or general practice clinics.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article uses two case studies of patients living with obesity managed by the same general practitioner (with a special interest in obesity) to highlight the differences in care in a PFOMC compared to a privately billed general practice clinic.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The case studies demonstrate that care provided by both systems have different barriers related to wait times, delivery of care, cost and access to multidisciplinary care for the patient and different remuneration for the doctor. Reducing the effects of obesity and its complications must include primary and secondary prevention strategies in addition to the tertiary management provided by medically supervised weight management clinics in public or private settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 4","pages":"186-190"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143774917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Contemporary issues involving obesity and weight management.","authors":"Chris Dickie","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-04-25-1234e","DOIUrl":"10.31128/AJGP-04-25-1234e","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 4","pages":"165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143774830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Culture Map: Decoding how people think, lead, and get things done across cultures.","authors":"Marisa Magiros, Catherine Casey","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-09-24-7410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-09-24-7410","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 4","pages":"239-240"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143774915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bariatric surgery.","authors":"Hamish Shilton","doi":"10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7432","DOIUrl":"10.31128/AJGP-10-24-7432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2023, 15,985 primary bariatric operations were performed in Australia, with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) accounting for 80% of cases. Bariatric surgery offers better long-term weight loss and comorbidity resolution compared with any other treatments, with low morbidity and mortality rates.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This paper evaluates the efficacy, indications, outcomes and long-term considerations of bariatric surgery. It compares the current surgical procedures, SG, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), along with alternative weight-loss treatments, focusing on the important aspects for an Australian general practitioner.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for people with obesity, initially achieving 30% total weight loss (TWL) with sustained long-term outcomes. Both SG and RYGB show similar TWL rates at five years (23.7% vs 27.2%). Complication rates are low (1.5-4.8%), and surgery significantly improves or resolves comorbidities, particularly diabetes. Endoscopic and pharmacological treatments are emerging alternatives but lack the long-term efficacy of surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":54241,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of General Practice","volume":"54 4","pages":"202-206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143774826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}