Peer Reviewed Feature Articles
Respiratory medicine

Insomnia treatment. Improved access to effective nondrug options

Alexander Sweetman, Nicole Lovato, Jenny Haycock, Leon Lack

Cognitive and behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) strategies are recommended as the first-line treatment by the RACGP. This article discusses some simple and effective, but often underused, CBTi options accessible to Australian GPs and patients.

CPD
Complete 1.5 CPD hours
Free Access
Free access
Dermatology

Keratinocyte skin cancers: diagnosis and current management

Kevin Phan, Stephen Shumack

This update on keratinocyte cancers, formerly known as nonmelanoma skin cancers, incorporates changes from the 2019 revision of the Cancer Council Australia guidelines on diagnosis and management.

CPD
Complete 1.5 CPD hours
Obstetrics and gynaecology

An update on gestational diabetes mellitus

Arianne N. Sweeting, Glynis P. Ross

The prevalence of risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus is increasing and GPs have a key role in reducing the potential adverse short- and long-term consequences for women and their children through vigilance in prepregnancy counselling, early testing during pregnancy and postpartum follow up.

Pharmacology and therapeutics

Opioid prescribing: what do the 2020 PBS changes mean for GPs?

Hester H.k. Wilson, Fergal Armstrong, Ian G. Thong

TGA and PBS changes that aim to reduce opioid- related harm came into effect on 1 June 2020. Implications for GPs prescribing opioids and treating patients with pain are illustrated by case studies.

CPD
Complete 1.5 CPD hours
Peer Reviewed Regular Series
Psychological medicine

Long-term opioid use: assessment of mental health issues

Julia M. Lappin
Long-term opioid use is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. Careful and sensitive assessment by the GP can help manage long-term opioid use both in people who use illicitly and in those with chronic pain.
Clinical case review

Burning soles of the feet

Peter R. Vale
The symptoms and initial evaluation in this case suggest an uncommon clinical syndrome characterised by episodes of burning pain, redness and increased temperature that affects the extremities.