Volume 1, Number 1, April-May-June 2009
EDITORIALEditorial
David Colin-Thomé It is a pleasure to write the introductory editorial for the first issue of Primary Care Women’s Health Journal. I wish the journal and its readers all success in what is a great time to be in primary care – if we can grasp the opportunities on offer. POPULAR
TOPICEDITORIALIntroducing the Primary Care Women's Health Journal
Dr Anne Connolly As Dr David Colin-Thomé, the National Director of Primary Care, points out in his introductory editorial, this is an exciting time for primary care. It is also the
ideal time to launch a new journal specifically written for GPs and practice nurses who deliver care for women from puberty to post-menopause in primary care. 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 PCWHJ – 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. POPULAR
TOPICTHERAPEUTICS REVIEWIs there really an alternative to HRT?
Kathy Abernethy Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, but bad publicity means that women ask about other options. This article outlines practical steps to help to minimise mild symptoms, and assesses the evidence for complementary and prescribed alternatives to
HRT. DISEASE FOCUSHitting the treatment target in osteoporosis
Dr Anne Connolly For too long a Cinderella condition, osteoporosis has only recently been included in the GP contract as a Directed Enhanced Service. This article explains how the new FRAX® tool can help practices to individualise risk assessment and target treatment to the patients most at risk. CHANGING BEHAVIOURA new pathway to progress In continence care
Katherine Wilkinson All too many women with urinary incontinence are referred to secondary care when they could be assessed and successfully treated by their GP, practice nurse or local primary care
continence advisor. This article explains how one PCT introduced a local pathway that has changed professional behaviour, and proved popular with both professionals and patients.
POPULAR
TOPICBACK TO BASICSPre-menstrual syndrome
POPULAR
TOPICQUALITY MATTERSPreventing unplanned pregnancy: no lottery With LARCs
Dr Christine Corrin Despite NICE guidelines, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) remain little used in the UK, but this looks set to change with their inclusion in this year’s new Quality and
Outcomes Framework contraception indicators. The author reviews the currently available LARCs, and discusses how to tailor choice to the needs and preferences of each woman. POPULAR
TOPICHOW TONurses lead the way: achieving new QOF contraceptive targets
Kathy Carpenter In order to comply with NICE guidance and achieve new QOF indicators, general practices must offer women a choice of contraception, including long-acting reversible methods. But practices may struggle if GPs have not maintained their competencies in fitting these devices. The author explains how nurse-led clinics can both enhance services for women and help practices achieve targets. MONITORINGWhat’s the T-score? The highs and lows of bone mineral density
Dr Anne Connolly Bone density T-score predicts a woman’s risk of osteoporotic fracture in the same way that
measuring blood pressure assesses her risk of stroke. Dual X-ray absorptiometry scanning
remains the investigation of choice, but in future other techniques may also diagnose
osteoporosis and monitor response to treatment.
WHILE I'M HEREImproving bowel control: the primary care approach
Dianne Naylor Awoman with faecal incontinence may have suffered for years before she finds the courage
to ask for help. Such consultations can be a challenge for both patient and professional.
But sensitive, careful assessment and simple, conservative measures will often improve
bowel control and restore the patient’s quality of life.
PATIENT INFOTreating your heavy periods: the intrauterine system (IUS)
PCWHFIntroducing the Primary Care Women's Health Forum
Lesley Cave, Anne Connolly POPULAR
TOPICCLICK HEREWelcome to menopausematters.co.uk
Kathy Abernethy There is a wealth of information online. But assessing a website takes time that is just not available in a busy general practice, so Click Here does the job for you. This issue, we
review Menopause Matters, a UK site designed to help women and professionals make informed choices about menopause management. HAVE YOU HEARD?Have you Heard?
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