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Interactive quizzes are based on material found in Best Practice Journal and Best Tests. Initially, quizzes are posted out with journals and GPs are invited to submit their answers for CME credits.
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The appropriate use of serum tumour marker testing is complex and patient harm can occur when testing is requested but not clinically... View Article
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In the previous edition of Best Practice Journal, we covered the appropriate use of testosterone in older male patients (see:... View Article
Testosterone supplementation may be an appropriate treatment for males with clinical features of androgen deficiency and early... View Article
Point-of-care CRP testing may help primary care clinicians to identify with more certainty which patients with features of respiratory... View Article
In 2013 we published an article entitled “Best tests?” (Best Tests 18; Feb, 2013). In this article we challenged clinicians to... View Article
Muscle pain (myalgia) and weakness is experienced by up to 10% of patients taking statins. However, myalgia is commonly experienced... View Article
The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule has been created to provide consistent guidance and ensure uniform availability of tests across... View Article
A new laboratory test schedule and accompanying referral guidelines have been developed for health care professionals in New Zealand.... View Article
Contributed by Dr Michael Beasley and Dr Wayne Temple, National Poisons Centre View Article
On occasion, General Practitioners will encounter a patient with a concern relating to possible exposure to a hazardous substance.... View Article
A growing body of evidence and expert opinion suggests that fasting is not necessary prior to a lipid test in most scenarios.... View Article
In October, 2013, a new laboratory test schedule and accompanying referral guidelines were completed and are now available online.... View Article
This report presents how testing for diabetes has changed since the recommendations were published. Patients with diagnosed diabetes... View Article
This A4 printable patient information sheet is designed to help patients understand the results of blood lipid tests and to describe... View Article
Until recently, fasting plasma glucose, and in some situations, oral glucose tolerance testing, have been the investigations of... View Article
Metal-on-metal hip replacements and resurfacings are associated with higher than acceptable failure rates, and particularly high-risk... View Article
Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is a common, potentially debilitating illness that is most frequently seen in adolescents... View Article
This report highlights four key prescribing and laboratory testing recommendations covered over the past five years. Over this... View Article
A position statement released by the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) now recommends the use of glycated... View Article
As of 1 October 2011, laboratories are reporting HbA1c results in millimoles per mole (mmol/mol) only. For the preceding two years,... View Article
Serum protein bands (monoclonal gammopathy) will sometimes be found following serum protein electrophoresis in patients presenting... View Article
Most general practitioners no longer offer lead maternity care but may still be involved with the initial confirmation of pregnancy... View Article
CRP alone is the best test for temporal arteritis. This article is out of date. Please see updated information here: Giant... View Article
Examines HbA1c and albumin/creatinine ratio testing rates for people with diabetes View Article
Testing for thrombophilia is rarely indicated in general practice and should only be performed when the results will alter m... View Article
Although there are many potential sources of exposure to mercury and its compounds, most people can be reassured that they are... View Article
Maintaining good glycaemic control reduces the risk of microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes and may also reduce the... View Article
The key role for tumour marker tests is in managing patients with established malignancy. Tumour markers are not indicated as... View Article
Tissue transglutaminase antibodies are the most useful preliminary step for testing people with a clinical picture suggestive... View Article
Clinical assessment of intestinal inflammation can be problematic. Faecal calprotectin can be useful in differentiating between... View Article
There are a number of causes of low vitamin B12 levels with pernicious anaemia being among the most important to identify. Parietal... View Article
Troponins have overtaken the traditional ‘cardiac enzymes’, and can provide valuable information of the likelihood... View Article
A short article covering changes in HbA1c test reporting from percentages to molar units (mmol/mol). View Article
A summary of the key messages from the thyroid campaign and changes in patterns of test requesting.For more detailed material... View Article