Australian Journal of General Practice最新文献

Background: As disasters increasingly affect Australian communities, the professional impacts on general practitioners (GPs) increase. In the days, weeks, months and years post disaster, a predictable pattern of presentations occur. Alongside increased healthcare needs, medical service availability might be impaired. Emergency departments are often overwhelmed; however, the majority of disaster-related presentations can be managed in general practice.

Objective: The aim of this article is to review the evidence on disaster health effects from an all-hazards perspective and highlight GPs' essential role in disaster healthcare.

Discussion: During and following disasters, health effects occur in most body systems. The largest healthcare burden involves taking care of chronic conditions, particularly cardiovascular, endocrine and respiratory illness. Managing deteriorations, access to medications and reviews, are crucial during disasters, and in the weeks and months following. GPs provide this essential healthcare provision and coordination during disasters. They have the ability to improve health outcomes for their patients and disaster recovery in their communities.

Background: The year 2023 was the hottest on record, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Extreme heat is the deadliest climate related event, causing significant morbidity and mortality globally. Vulnerable groups include older people, young children and pregnant women.

Objective: This paper aims to equip general practitioners (GPs) with evidence-based strategies to prevent and mitigate heat related illnesses. It identifies at-risk populations through life stage analysis and advocates for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Discussion: This paper highlights essential practice points for GPs and discusses the expanding evidence on heat-related health impacts, including direct effects like heat stress and indirect effects such as exacerbation of chronic diseases. The importance of cooling strategies and heat action plans are emphasised while advocating for systemic changes to address the root causes of heat-related health risks.

Background and objectives: Pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children are vulnerable during the disasters that commonly impact Australia. The aim of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by these groups during and after the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and identify how general practitioners (GPs) can provide support.

Method: Caregivers of children aged 0-4 years who experienced the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, and emergency responders who had supported families during this and other emergencies, were surveyed and interviewed.

Results: A total of 256 parents and 63 emergency responders were surveyed or interviewed. Disaster challenges faced by pregnant women and families with infants and young children were identified related to preparedness, response and recovery, as well as specific health and medical issues.

Discussion: GPs can support the health and wellbeing of pregnant women and families with young children before, during and after disasters in many ways. Greater integration of GPs into emergency planning is needed.

Background: Few global challenges loom over public health as ominously as climate change, and this is especially pertinent for children and youth due to a combination of direct and indirect effects on their mental health and wellbeing.

Objective: This paper describes the challenges faced by children and young people in the face of the unprecedented impact of climate related events or anxiety about planetary health and its impact on their health and wellbeing. Potential steps for realistic actions are also provided.

Discussion: Health professionals need to be aware and vigilant about children and young people presenting with climate-related physical and mental health issues. It is essential that they are offered appropriate access to evidence-based resources to engage and empower them with relevant information alongside targeted interventions and supports matching their specific clinical presentations and needs.

Background: Climate change means that disasters such as bushfires, heatwaves, storms and floods are becoming more frequent and severe, and thus having greater impact on general practices and communities.  OBJECTIVE: To provide a concise introduction to disaster planning for those who are new to Australian general practice or to general practice ownership.

Discussion: The Standards for General Practice, published by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), provide guidance on business continuity, including during disasters. As part of practice accreditation, practices are required to prepare a disaster plan, which should be based on local research regarding likelihood of hazard or disaster scenarios, and contain information on disaster coordination and communication and an emergency contact list. Planning should also involve preparation of an emergency kit, provisions for different hazards, practising the disaster plan and clear communications to trigger the disaster response. Plans should be rapidly implemented during disasters and reviewed following disaster events.

Background: After decades of debate, Australian general practitioners (GPs) are being integrated into disaster health management (DHM) systems.

Objective: This article outlines the evolving integration of GPs into DHM in Australia and discusses key DHM concepts and systems GPs need to know.

Discussion: The aim of disaster response is a unified efficient whole-of-health response based on a multidisciplinary pre-planned, pre exercised system. Each discipline must have a clear understanding of how the system works and where they fit within the response. GPs' link to the DHM system is through the local Primary Health Network that links to the broader disaster health response through the local health service areas. This article outlines the evolving integration of GPs into DHM in Australia. Although there is a long way to go before there is full integration of GPs consistently across all local health service areas, without linkage to the broader disaster response, GPs risk being unsupported, isolated and less effective in their response.