Volume 5, Number 3, May-June 2008
POPULAR
TOPICBACK TO BASICSDrugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)
POPULAR
TOPICCHANGING BEHAVIOURBuilding rapport with
patients: actions speak
louder than words
Christine Mclean The use of language is obviously very important in effective communication, and gives
important clues as to how people make sense of the world around them, and how they
understand their experiences, as we saw in an introduction to neurolinguistic programming
(NLP) in the last issue of BJPCN. In this article, we will look at how to use effective body
language and non-verbal communication to its fullest extent in the clinic setting. EDITORIALEditorial
Jan Procter-King It is hard to believe that time goes so quickly. The spring lambs in the fields
are now all fat, while they were small and wobbly not two minutes ago.
Summer is on its way – fingers crossed for some balmy days! I have the
relief of some respite from travelling round the country delivering training
sessions during the summer, as everyone is taking a well-earned break.
Reflecting while on the train, I recognised again that I always learn more
than the students whenever I teach. I would like to share some of these
gems of wisdom so you can think about them over this summer period. NEWSNews from Education for Health
POPULAR
TOPICFOOD FOR THOUGHTAdvising people newly
diagnosed with diabetes
about diet
Paul McArdle Do you see patients with diabetes? Do you advise them about their diet? If so, you have
an incredibly important role in developing patients’ self-confidence and empowering
them to be able to make healthier choices. In this article we look at how to advise
patients newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet. A patient-centred approach is vital,
with advice offered in a supportive, non-judgmental and non-didactic manner. EVIDENCE IN PRACTICEEvidence in Practice
There are just not enough hours in the day to read all the research journals, even if you wanted to. This section of BJPCN –
Evidence in Practice – will keep you on top of relevant research without having to spend hours in the library.
Each review gives you a bite-size summary of new research, pulling out key points for primary care and recommending the action
that you might consider taking. HAVE YOU HEARD?Have you heard?
POPULAR
TOPICMONITORINGMaking Sense of HbA1c
Sandra Waddingham There are several blood tests available to measure blood glucose levels. Some require the
patient to fast while others do not. Understanding and interpreting the results accurately
are essential in optimising the management of our patients with diabetes. This article
looks specifically at the HbA1c test and its significance. We define what it is and when
we should carry out this test, as well as helping you to understand what the results mean and
the targets we are aiming for. POPULAR
TOPICPREVENTION IN PRACTICEOptimising the detection
and management of chronic
kidney disease (CKD)
Donal O’Donoghue Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful and treatable. The recognition of
CKD as a public health problem has evolved, in part, from the acceptance of the
conceptual model of CKD as a vascular risk factor and the introduction of a standard
definition and classification of CKD. In this article, we look at the impact of CKD, its
close association with cardiovascular disease and how to optimise its detection and
management in primary care today. QUALITY MATTERSPutting prevention first:
the new vascular risk
assessment programme
Jan Procter-King Everyone between 40 and 74 years of age is to be offered checks for vascular disease as
part of the new Putting Prevention First programme. The aim is to identify vulnerability
to vascular diseases, with the goal of preventing up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes
and saving 2,000 lives every year. Who will this programme target, and what will we
need to do to put it into action? THERAPEUTICS REVIEWAliskiren: the first
direct renin inhibitor
for hypertension
Susan Mayor Aliskiren (Rasilez) is the first in a new class of medicines – the direct renin inhibitors – to
treat high blood pressure to become available in more than a decade. In this article we
review how aliskiren works, what makes it different from other drugs acting on the reninangiotensin
system (RAS), its efficacy and tolerability and its likely place in the
management of hypertension. PATIENT INFORMATIONStarting on your GTN tablets or spray
HANDS ONOptimising your patients' recovery after stroke
Bev Cox Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year, according to the Stroke
Association. Most people affected are over 65, but younger people can have a stroke.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and is also an important cause
of disability, with more than 250,000 people left disabled following a stroke. The recent National
Stroke Strategy for England set out a quality framework to improve stroke services. In this
article, we review what we can do to help optimise outcomes for our patients who have a stroke.
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