Healthcare professionals will gain an understanding of the distinction between minor and major issues is crucial for effective problem-solving. 

You may wonder, "How do I know it's a minor issue until I've excluded the major ones?" This process involves a systematic approach to identifying and addressing potential challenges. 

During the session, participants can learn to prioritise concerns by first assessing the severity of each issue presented.   By eliminating major problems through thorough investigation and analysis, they will be able to narrow down the focus to minor issues that may have initially seemed significant. This method not only streamlines the problem-solving process but also enhances overall decision-making, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.

Objectives

• Provide an overview of common minor illness presentations in primary care.
• Help clinicians to adopt a robust and evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating these presentations and ensuring appropriate support for patients. 
• Develop an ability to identify clinical signs and symptoms of concern.
• The key elements of a comprehensive clinical history, 
• Initiate relevant treatment, 
• Produce clinical clerking of a legally defensible standard 
• Support patients to develop their own health literacy in adopting effective self-care.

Learning outcomes

• Definition of minor illness
• Primary care context
• Clinical history taking
• Viral v bacterial 
• Health literacy / self-care
• Review mechanisms
• Clerking
• Clinical presentations|:  ear, nose, throat, cough, UTIs
• Red flags
• Top tips!