Australian Family Physician audio

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. While some children have only a motor disorder, others have a range of problems and associated health issues.

Dr Gillian Eastgate discusses two articles looking at the issues of intellectual disability and sexual health. The research article explores the understanding of sexual relationships, education and abuse amongst women with an intellectual disability. The focus article then considers the clinical issues in the area for GPs.

Sexual health is a vital but often neglected aspect of healthcare for people with intellectual disability. It may initially be difficult for the general practitioner to raise sexuality issues with patients with intellectual disability, but there is potential for simple interventions that offer great benefit.

Sexual abuse and abusive relationships are known to be especially common in people with intellectual disability. This study explored how women with intellectual disability understand sex, relationships and sexual abuse, the effects of sexual abuse on their lives, and how successfully they protect themselves from abuse.

Dr Sue Reddish is a GP who discusses how she approaches the assessment of a women in menopausal transition

Dr Emma Warnecke discusses what we know about the evidence for non prescription options for symptom management in the menopause. She also reminds us of the opportunities for identification and management of risk factors at this time

A/Prof David Pierce is a GP who has done some research showing that experienced GPs are able to integrate structured problem solving psychological therapies into their consultations with depressed patients after training without increasing the duration of the consultation

Professor Sue Davis discusses issues around sex and the perimenopause. She provides a structure for considering the causes, information on assessment and a summary of some of the key elements in management

Faline Howes as a GP and researcher who discusses her research into what GPs think is needed to help improve the systematic management of hypertension

Dr Gillian Eastgate discusses two articles looking at the issues of intellectual disability and sexual health. The research article explores the understanding of sexual relationships, education and abuse amongst women with an intellectual disability. The focus article then considers the clinical issues in the area for GPs

Professor Dinah Reddihough discusses cerebral palsy in childhood, including the range of conditions it can include and provides a structure for management. She also discusses what GPs should consider in an undifferentiated presentation of a child with cerebral palsy

Dr Jane Tracy discusses in detail the health care of a person with Down Syndrome including the importance of considering preventive health issues, as well as conditions more prevalent in people with Down syndrome. Tips for communication and useful resources are also considered

Dr Andrew Knight talks about appointment systems and how to get them right. He discusses measuring demand, understanding and measuring delay and then ways that practices have made changes to improve their appointment systems.

Only 36% of sick Australians report being able to get an appointment on the day they need it, which is poor by international standards.

Dr Angela Rutherford, a Melbourne GP, discusses a peer review process for the GPs in a practice, including how it works and the benefits they have found.