Emergency admission risk prediction

Software that predicts each patient’s risk of emergency hospital admission allows GPs to target care to those at highest risk and has been implemented in many regions though evidence is lacking. The PRISMATIC study found that the use of predictive risk software was associated with a small increase in emergency admissions to hospital and emergency department attendances. This evaluation explored the experience of GPs and practice managers with PRISM and they reported that they had more contact with patients and made small-scale changes to patient care. Although they doubted any impact on care, they said PRISM raised their awareness of highest-risk patient groups.

Professional resilience of mid-career GPs

GPs' professional resilience is influenced by multiple factors, and a study of mid-career GPs found that reducing clinical hours can improve resilience at work. The GP workforce is in crisis with GP numbers declining and work pressures increasing. This research demonstrates that reducing clinical hours is an effective way for GPs to feel resilient enough to maintain career longevity. If this is not taken into consideration politically, or within workforce planning, the crisis in GP numbers is likely to continue to worsen and, ultimately, the population’s access to primary care will further suffer.

Physical activity for patients with multimorbidity

Group educational sessions to improve physical activity showed an unexpected result in this randomised controlled trial of patients with multimorbidity. It found a slight decrease in activity in the intervention group. This reduction in physical activity was statistically significant but possibly not clinically. The authors suggest that when devising strategies for increasing physical activity levels in those with multimorbidity, efforts should be made to stratify patients by baseline physical activity level and target those at greatest need of physical activity intervention. This study highlights some of the challenges of conducting physical activity research.