Contributors 6
Preface 7
Acknowledgements 8
Abbreviations 9
Introduction: how to make the most of your GP attachment 11
Part 1 The essence of general practice
1 The 10-minute consultation: taking a history 12
2 The 10-minute consultation: managing your patient 14
3 Continuity of care and the primary healthcare team 16
4 Why do patients consult? 18
5 Preventive medicine 20
6 Significant event analysis, audit and research 22
7 Communication between primary and secondary care 24
8 Principles of good prescribing in primary care 26
9 Prescribing in children and the elderly 28
10 Law and ethics 30
11 Child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse 32
Part 2 Common presentations in general practice Child health
12 The febrile child 34
13 Cough and wheeze 36
14 Asthma 37
15 Abdominal problems 38
16 Common behaviour problems 40
17 Childhood rashes 42
18 Child health promotion 44
19 Musculoskeletal problems in children 46
Sexual health
20 Common sexual problems 49
21 Sexually transmitted infections and HIV 52
22 Contraception 54
23 Subfertility 56
Women's health
24 Termination of pregnancy 58
25 Menstrual disorders 60
26 The menopause 62
27 Common gynaecological cancers 63
28 Breast problems 64
The pregnant woman
29 Antenatal care 66
30 Bleeding and pain in pregnancy 68
31 Other pregnancy problems 70
Care of the elderly
32 Acute confusional state and dementia 72
33 Fits, faints, falls and funny turns 74
Cardiovascular problems
34 Chest pain 76
35 Stroke 78
36 Peripheral vascular disease and leg ulcers 79
37 Preventing cardiovascular disease 80
Respiratory problems
38 Breathing diffi culties 82
39 Cough, smoking and lung cancer 84
40 Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 86
Endocrine problems
41 Diabetes 88
42 Thyroid disease 90
Gastrointestinal problems
43 Acute diarrhoea and vomiting in adults 92
44 Dyspepsia and upper gastrointestinal symptoms 94
45 Lower gastrointestinal symptoms 96
46 The acute abdomen 98
Musculoskeletal problems
47 Back pain 100
48 Hip and lower limb 102
49 Neck and upper limb 104
50 Infl ammatory arthritis, rheumatism and osteoarthritis 106
Eyes and ENT
51 Upper respiratory tract infection (including sore throat) 108
52 Ear symptoms 110
53 The red eye 112
54 Loss of vision and other visual symptoms 114
Dermatology
55 Eczema, psoriasis and skin tumours 116
56 Other common skin problems 118
Mental health
57 Depression 120
58 Anxiety, stress and panic disorder 122
59 Alcohol and drug misuse 124
60 Eating disorders 126
61 Psychosis and severe mental illness 128
Other common conditions
62 Headache 130
63 Tiredness and anaemia 132
64 Insomnia 134
65 Allergy and hay fever 136
66 Urinary tract disorders 138
67 Chronic pain 140
Further reading and resources 142
Index 146
