Sarah Kobayashi, David J. Hunter, Jillian P. Eyles
Evidence-based care for people with osteoarthritis includes first- and second-line strategies, and should be person-centred, support self-management and use an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach.
GPs can optimally manage patients with cardiac arrhythmias by establishing a diagnosis based on the ECG findings, initiating immediate and long-term management strategies and providing ongoing patient education and follow up.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection can lead to acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequently rheumatic heart disease. ARF primarily affects young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, with clinical features including arthritis, carditis, Sydenham’s chorea, erythema marginatum and subcutaneous nodules. Early identification and treatment of GAS pharyngitis and impetigo are crucial in preventing the development of ARF.
The bacille Calmette–Guérin vaccine is recommended for children aged younger than 5 years travelling to countries with a high tuberculosis (TB) incidence or residing in high-incidence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Adequate funding and public health initiatives are key to improving vaccine access and minimising TB risk.
The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Clinical Care Standard highlights evidence-based timely interventions to help ease symptoms, reduce the risk of exacerbations and prevent hospitalisations for people with COPD. GPs are key to implementing best-practice COPD care.
Atopic dermatitis is a complex, multifactorial disease with a chronic relapsing and remitting course. Specific targeted treatments offer promise to patients who have not responded to conventional management.
