Topic:
Monday, 01 June 2009
Patients with allergic asthma, intermittent (seasonal) or persistent (perennial) allergic
rhinitis, represent a significant proportion of primary care consultations. There is
growing awareness of allergy and the possibility of an allergic component as the cause
of a wide variety of symptoms. It is important to understand how to diagnose atopy to
ensure appropriate management and care of our patients. Diagnosing allergy is initially about
asking the right questions, followed by confirming or refuting the diagnosis by objective testing.
In this article, we explore history taking and objective testing that will help us to manage and
advise patients appropriately.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
Diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be complex and requires
considerable clinical skill. It is rather like putting together the pieces of a jigsaw
puzzle. But don’t despair. In this article, we take you through the key steps. A careful
history, particularly in smokers or ex-smokers who complain of breathlessness,
followed by clinical examination may indicate possible COPD. Further steps must then be taken
to exclude other causes of respiratory symptoms and spirometry is essential in diagnosing
airflow obstruction, which may help to confirm the diagnosis of COPD.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
The year is racing by – autumn is already upon us! It’s a time which fills me
with great expectations, with memories of starting a new academic year at
school or university. Many of you may still be experiencing this through your
children! I love the feeling of opening a clean ‘exercise book’! Some of you
may even be contemplating starting up studies again. The Education for Health
graduation ceremony is being held in October; it is one of the most thrilling
events in our academic calendar – seeing the smiles on the faces of the
mature graduates and their families as they attain awards that they never felt
would be possible! Let them be an inspiration to you all; it is never too late to
start! Our team here at Education for Health would be delighted to discuss any
programmes you might be interested in.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
Welcome to the first edition of 2008 and my first as Editor in Chief. I want to
thank Jan Procter-King, my predecessor, who has performed an outstanding
role and left the journal in a robust position. I would also like to thank the
members of the Editorial Board – in particular those who have left us or
joined since the last edition. Education for Health (formerly the National
Respiratory Training Centre) has a long reputation in respiratory disease and
we are delighted to be bringing this expertise to the BJPCN Editorial Board.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
It’s birthday celebrations all round. We are celebrating the 20th anniversary
of the General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG). Founded in 1987 as a small
respiratory special-interest group of six general practitioners, the GPIAG
has developed and grown into the largest primary care specialist society in
the UK. It is also coming up to the first birthday of the journal – and we are
hoping that we are giving you a useful ‘goody bag’ of ‘party gifts’ to take
back to your practice after reading this issue.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
Summer is here and time for a new issue of the BJPCN – packed full of
useful information and news from the respiratory and allergy world.
We cover a lot of different topics in the main articles this month – from
pleural effusions to angioedema, from asbestosis to urticaria. A scan
through the summaries of the latest research in the Evidence in Practice
section will reveal interesting studies with dogs, trees and alcohol! Have
a great read.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
As we reach the end of the year, BJPCN looks back at the challenges that
have been met in the care of patients with respiratory and allergic disease
over the past few years and looks forward to the new situations we will
have to face in the coming year. I have really enjoyed launching this
exciting journal and wish Monica Fletcher, Chief Executive of Education for Health, the very best as she takes on the editor’s role from the next issue.
Category:
Editorial
Monday, 01 June 2009
We are about to hit the festive season, but it is also a time when many
people reflect on the past year and make plans for the next – including
thinking about giving up smoking. In this issue we reflect on the impact of
the smoking ban in the UK. Hilary Wareing and Nina Gotz from the Tobacco
Control Collaborating Centre show how there have been significant benefits
in terms of air quality and increased numbers of quitters since the
smokefree legislation came into force between March 2006 and July 2007.
This has been a significant step forward in improving public health, and
provides a foundation to encourage more of your patients to quit.
Category:
Editorial