Screening Resources

What most people are looking for when they visit their general practice is certainty. They might want to know the exact cause of their chronic pain, or precisely how long it might take for statins to bring down their cholesterol levels, or any number of other questions

In the UK, approximately 1.5 million individuals aged 65 or older are believed to be affected by heart valve diseases, such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Projections indicate that this figure will double by 2046 and soar to 3.3 million by 2056. This is due to an ageing population (British Heart Foundation [BHF], 2018).

Early prostate cancer does not usually have any symptoms. So, when discussing with men the pros and cons of having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, it is important to consider the risk factors.

The six to eight-week infant examination is undertaken in primary care, predominantly by GPs, and is a vital repeat examination of the newborn infant physical examination (NIPE) to ensure that any congenital abnormalities are not missed, as some may not become apparent until this age. Although national standards exist for the NIPE in the form of the NIPE handbook (Public Health England [PHE], 2021), no such national standards exist for the six to eight-week infant check.

In primary care, there is a lack of understanding and awareness among some clinicians regarding mental health issues that military veterans experience. The aim of the project outlined here was to identify military veterans in one primary care centre, screen them for anxiety and depression, and offer them the most appropriate treatment and support. An emotional health check template was used to identify military veterans for anxiety and depression. Training was also offered to staff in the practice and appropriate services were identified and listed on a leaflet. By the end of the project, the number of military veterans identified in the practice had increased from 19 to 200, 45 with a diagnosis of depression and five with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Only four veterans were offered emotional health checks during the project period due to restrictions in place for the COVID-19 pandemic. This article shows how the process of identifying military veterans and developing a system of screening for depression and anxiety as well as introducing new staff training has been effective. Adding missing elements to the template will improve follow-up and evaluation in the future.

Malnutrition is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly as the disease progresses. This article looks at the nutritional issues facing patients with COPD, including the effects of medication, social and psychological issues. It outlines the role that general practice nurses (GPNs) can play by implementing the newly updated ‘Managing Malnutrition in COPD’ guidance. The guidance encourages incorporation of nutritional screening into COPD care pathways and the optimisation of nutritional intake for those at medium and high risk of malnutrition via dietary advice and oral nutritional supplementation, where appropriate. It also provides practical tips for patients with COPD to help manage common barriers to eating, such as shortness of breath, dry mouth and taste changes.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United Kingdom (Cancer Research UK [CRUK], 2016). In 2013, there were 47,300 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. This amounts to 13% of all new cancers diagnosed in men. Furthermore, prostate cancer incidence has increased by 5% over the last ten years (CRUK, 2016). In 2014 there were 11,287 deaths due to prostate cancer, however 84% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more (CRUK, 2016). This paper gives an overview of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and the role of general practice nurses (GPNs) in the care of men suspected of having prostate cancer and following treatment.

Coeliac disease is a long-term condition which affects approximately one in 100 people in the UK. This article explores which patients may need to be screened for the condition and the symptoms they may present with. Once diagnosed with the condition, patients need to follow a lifelong gluten-free diet to prevent complications. This article looks at the many roles that general practice nurses (GPNs) have in promoting compliance with the treatment of a gluten-free diet, as well as discussing how they can help to manage the risk of complications such as osteoporosis and infectious disease.