ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses critical analysis of information, using QRISK2 as an example and how it may relate to patients, and also discusses problems which occur with information over time, such as individual experiences versus evidence and common prescribing issues. Patients attend primary care with anything and everything; this means generalist knowledge is very important and gaps can cause uncertainty and stress for general practitioners (GPs). Also lack of detailed knowledge in this multitude of areas inhibits critical review of guidelines, evidence and questioning of information by jobbing GPs. GPs require accurate, up-to-date knowledge in order to present accurate information to their patients and help them make best decisions about their care. There is no uniform mechanism for knowledge updates. There are annual appraisals in which to display knowledge and skills which have been revised or newly learned but they do not cover the full GP knowledge base and changes.
