Humans ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Primary Health Care

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has established itself globally in both endemic and epidemic transmission cycles. While diagnostic decision-making for dengue is often guided by clinical judgement, definitive laboratory tests, including rapid point-of-care tests, have many advantages in the primary care setting. These include providing epidemiological data and diagnostic clarity for atypical cases, as well as contributing to patient education and compliance. This article discussed the types of diagnostic methods for dengue, when to use them and the appropriateness of each test. Viral detection diagnostic methods such as NS1 antigen assays are generally used within the first week of illness onset, whereas dengue serology testing is most appropriate after that time frame. Locally available rapid point-of-care tests, which include both assays in one convenient test kit, can enhance dengue diagnosis in an endemic setting.

Major depression is common in the primary care setting. In the final article of this series, we illustrate the approach to the management of depression in primary care. Psychotherapy has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate major depression. The common myth that antidepressants are addictive should be addressed. Antidepressants should be started at a subtherapeutic dose to assess tolerability, then gradually increased until a minimally effective dose is achieved. Apart from pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, management of depression should include managing stressors, engaging social and community support, dealing with stigma and discrimination, and managing concomitant comorbidities. A strong therapeutic relationship and empathic listening are important between the primary care physician and patient.

Major depression is a common condition seen in the primary care setting. This article describes the suicide risk assessment of a depressed patient, including practical aspects of history-taking, consideration of factors in deciding if a patient requires immediate transfer for inpatient care and measures to be taken if the patient is not hospitalised. It follows on our earlier article about the approach to management of depression in primary care.
Asia ; Depression ; diagnosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Primary Health Care ; organization & administration ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; Suicide ; prevention & control

Primary care practitioners play an important role in administering and advocating vaccinations against vaccine-preventable infectious diseases and ensuring herd immunity in our population. This is a follow-up article to an earlier one which dealt with the principles of vaccine scheduling and administration. This article describes several false contraindications to vaccination that a primary care practitioner may encounter, including pregnancy, current breastfeeding, history of febrile seizures, and having immunosuppressed or pregnant household contacts. We aimed to provide a guide for safe and timely vaccine administration in the primary care setting.
Humans ; Primary Health Care ; standards ; Public Health ; Safety ; Vaccination ; methods ; standards