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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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Despite being recommended for short-term use only, and usually second-line to non-pharmacological management strategies, benzodiazepines... View Article
We present a special edition “Case of the week” submitted by Dr Jo Lane and Dr Susan Lane, Waitematā DHB. If you would like to... View Article
Recent evidence shows that levels of alcohol consumption that were previously thought to be relatively safe are associated with... View Article
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to in New Zealand as “meth” or “P”, is associated with high rates of personal and community... View Article
There is no evidence that opioids such as tramadol are effective for managing pain long-term, yet they continue to be prescribed... View Article
There is a significant issue in the community with people taking hypnotics, opioids and other pain medicines long-term with no... View Article
There are many approved and fully subsidised medicines that clinicians can recommend to smokers who wish to quit. The evidence... View Article
This article has been superseded by: Assessment and management of alcohol misuse by primary care bpacNZ, November 2018 If... View Article
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Young people experience a variety of mental health conditions. For patients with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, a stepped... View Article
Nicotine addiction is a disorder that should be considered at every patient contact. All patients who smoke should be encouraged... View Article
This is the first of a series of articles which will examine the diverse theme of mental health in young people. Adolescence is... View Article
The interventions with the greatest potential to prevent further deterioration in patients with COPD are: View Article
Benzodiazepines may be considered as a short-term treatment for insomnia and anxiety; zopiclone, a benzodiazepine-like medicine,... View Article
Shorter courses of oral corticosteroids for the management of exacerbations in patients with COPD | Diet and the risk of COPD View Article
Smoking rates are declining in New Zealand as more and more people are successfully quitting. However, rates remain unacceptably... View Article
The increased use of opioid analgesics in recent years, particularly oxycodone, has resulted in misuse and addiction issues associated... View Article
Dr Jeremy McMinn is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialist at Capital & Coast DHB. He is also the Co-Chair of the... View Article
Associate Professor David Gerrard is a sports physician at the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. He gives an insight... View Article
On average, New Zealanders who smoke try their first cigarette between the ages of 11 and 12 years. There are large ethnic disparities... View Article
One in ten New Zealand women smoke during pregnancy and this figure is significantly higher among Māori and women living in lower... View Article
The volume of oxycodone prescribed in New Zealand is continuing to rise, despite efforts to encourage clinicians to use this medicine... View Article
COPD disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples in New Zealand. It is essential that people most at risk of COPD... View Article
The PHO Performance Programme was established in 2005 to improve the health of people enrolled in general practices in New Zealand... View Article
The PHO Performance Programme aims to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare services in... View Article
This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article
Oxycodone is a strong opioid used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in people for whom morphine is not tolerated or... View Article
Misuse of prescription opioids is increasing worldwide and many doctors are becoming reluctant to prescribe these medicines for... View Article
People with COPD are generally underweight, have reduced muscle mass and are often malnourished, leading to other health problems.... View Article
The rate of smoking among New Zealanders is slowly declining, however, more work needs to be done to further reduce this number.... View Article
Approximately 20–25% of New Zealanders consume alcohol at a harmful or hazardous level, however, these problems will remain undetected... View Article
It is estimated that substance misuse and other addictions are experienced by over one quarter of Māori in their lifetime.... View Article
The majority of people with cancer will initially present to general practice, therefore GPs have an excellent opportunity to... View Article
An update on COPD; acute exacerbations management, adapted from COPD-X Guidelines; April 2009 revision There is newer/updated... View Article
Akoranga aukati kai paipaA brief overview of how and where to obtain smoking cessation training View Article
Quick tips View Article
Te aukatinga kai paipa Encouraging Māori who smoke to stop is a key health priority. The more times smoking cessation advice... View Article
Nicotine replacement therapy, nortriptyline, bupropion and varenicline are all effective aids for smoking cessation. These pharmacological... View Article
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is not a magic cure but it is effective for smoking cessation when used correctly. It is important... View Article
While people continue to smoke, they must be aware of the health risk they pose to others. Second hand smoke is considered a significant... View Article
There are many reasons why people begin smoking, continue to smoke and find it hard to quit. Clinicians who want to discourage... View Article
When advice is provided to patients about reducing cardiovascular risk, lifestyle advice is usually discussed first. The mechanisms... View Article
Two recent studies have raised concern that the use of ipratropium and tiotropium for COPD is associated with an increased risk... View Article
Although an increasing problem in general practice, identifying drug seekers is not always simple. GPs should routinely screen... View Article
Varenicline and suicidal behaviour. Wider access to quit cards.The lung age of smokers. View Article
Managing COPD continues to be a major feature of primary care, particularly in practices with a high proportion of Māori... View Article
The recently overhauled New Zealand smoking cessation guideline is well presented and contains important new messages. The guideline... View Article
Can smoking cessation affect the dose of antipsychotics?Do statins cause nightmares?How important is it to give simvastatin at... View Article
Tiotropium is an effective option | Long acting beta agonists | Inhaled corticosteroids | Exercise | Should an anticholinergic... View Article
On occasion, an adolescent may present at their general practice with instructions to undergo a drug test – usually due to concerns... View Article
The risk of injury or death during adolescence is two to three times higher than it is during childhood. The main reason for this... View Article