Britten N, Stevenson FA, Barry CA, Barber N, Bradley CP. Misunderstandings in prescribing decisions in general practice: qualitative study. BMJ 2000;320:484.
A qualitative study based in twenty West Midland and south east England GP practices identifies reasons for misunderstandings that took place between patients and their doctors during consultations. These misunderstandings led to actual adverse reactions or had potential adverse outcomes. The study particularly highlights how little consideration doctors give to the relevance of patients own ideas in achieving successful treatment adherence. Different categories of misunderstanding are identified and illustrated with case scenarios.
What's in the medical press? - The rapidly changing situation in primary care means that it is often difficult to keep up to date with what is happening politically and clinically. This section of Primary Care Pharmacy will try to pick out a few articles that may be useful in day-to-day practice or have importance for the primary care role.