There is an unmet need for contraception in the UK. Providing women with up-to-date information on contraceptive choices is essential to reduce unplanned pregnancies. There is a wide choice, including short-, medium- and longterm options. No method is 100% effective, with some relying on the user (e.g. pills) and others working largely independently of the user (e.g. subdermal implant). Many methods have side-effects or pose health risks to certain subpopulations of women. General practice nurses (GPNs) should be allowed to make an informed choice while also undertaking a risk assessment of each individual. This article provides an update on current practice regarding contraceptive choice, including emergency contraception, as well as the efficacy, acceptability, methods of delivery, side-effects and health risks of the different methods available.
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition, with most adolescents experiencing ‘spots’ at some point. For most people, these will resolve by the time they are in their 20s. However, approximately 15% of people in the UK will seek treatment for persistent acne that does not resolve with the use of over-the-counter preparations. This equates to over three million visits per year in the UK to primary care clinicians, such as general practice nurses (GPNs), who are well-placed to support patients. This article outlines the types of lesions that patients can present with, provides guidance on effective skin care, and discusses the topical and oral therapies that may be prescribed and their side-effects. The authors also look at the optimal referral of patients for secondary care assessment, as well as signposting nurses to assessment tools that focus on the psychological, as well as the physical, signs of acne. The psychological effect of having a visible, albeit common, skin condition should not be underestimated.
Here, Tamsen Courtenay, writes about the people she met while researching her book
on the realities of homelessness (website: tamsencourtenay.com)
Skin tears are a common type of tissue injury, which often go unrecognised and misdiagnosed. Furthermore, classification and documentation of skin is often poor, resulting in chronic wounds with associated adverse patient outcomes. The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) recently updated the International Best Practice Guidelines and definition of a skin tear based on emerging evidence and expert discussion and consensus. This article presents a discussion of the epidemiology, risk factors and causes of skin tears. In addition, the most recent best practice recommendations for the prevention, assessment, and management of skin tears is summarised.
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