Seven days in medicine: 30 Aug to 5 Sep 2023

General practiceVirtual appointments “are as good as face to face”Health outcomes in patients who saw doctors remotely at least matched in-person care outcomes for mental illness, alcohol misuse, weight management, and advice on quitting smoking, showed a review of previous research involving more than 5.4 million patients around the world. Reported in the Journal of Medical Internet Research,1 the study also found some evidence that remote consultations saved time for doctors, reduced waiting times, and were seen as more convenient but also that patients who were seen virtually felt less well supported in making informed choices.VaccinationsMore people become eligible for shingles jabThe shingles vaccination programme in England has been expanded to include anyone turning 65 or 70 from 1 September 2023 and people over 50 with a severely weakened immune system. People aged 70-79 remain eligible for the vaccine. In the first five years since a shingles vaccine was introduced…
Read Original Article: Seven days in medicine: 30 Aug to 5 Sep 2023 »