DISEASES AND DISORDERS

Hepatitis C: quick reference guide for primary care (28th January 2009)
Concise information and good practice advice about hepatitis C testing and diagnosis for use by doctors and nurses in primary care, including a testing and diagnosis flowchart.
Guidance

Perceptions of patients and professionals on rheumatoid arthritis care (22nd January 2009)

A report by the King's Fund says that GPs are too slow ro refer patients with arthritis to specialist care. The main finding says clinicians and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) believe that many GPS remain insufficiently aware of the indicators that may suggest RA or the importance of early referral to specialist care for rapid aggressive therapy to prevent damage to joints. The report highlights inconsistencies, poor GP knowledge and "underlying uncertainty" about managing flares which are experienced by 90% of patients and concludes that medical education should play a role in increasing the awareness of future GPs about RA.
Report