In April 2014, the Sewol ferry sank off the coast of Korea, resulting in 304 deaths. Of these, 250 were local high school students from Ansan, and the disaster severely affected their community. This study investigated the association of this disaster with health examination, cancer screening rate, and vaccination rate.

The study subjects were adults ages ≥19 years (11 026 Ansan residents and 1 361 624 non-residents of Ansan) who participated in the 2011–2016 Korea Community Health Survey. The national health screening program examination rate, cancer screening rate, and influenza vaccination rate in Ansan residents and non-residents were assessed and their responses compared using chi-square tests, multiple logistic regression analyses, and a stratification analysis according to depression.

After the disaster (2014–2016), non-residents received more health screening (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13, P < 0.001), cancer screening (aOR = 1.41, P < 0.001), and vaccination (aOR = 1.10, P = 0.002) than Ansan residents. This difference was more evident in the group without a depressive mood.

People living in disaster areas show lower rates of medical screening examination and receive fewer vaccinations after the disaster. To decrease health impacts by disaster, efforts to increase community health screenings and vaccinations may be needed.

We sought to determine whether the introduction of a health screening and promotion clinic might serve as a useful addition to existing services for patients prescribed antipsychotic medication. In particular, we wished to assess whether such a clinic might improve adherence to best practice guidelines. We also wished to determine the level of patient interest in such a clinic and how readily this service might be provided within the constraints of existing clinical resources.

We conducted an audit of outpatient records before and following the introduction of a health screening and promotion clinic.

Of the eligible patients, 73% attended the clinic. The proportion of patients who had fasting blood tests within the previous 12 months increased from 45% at baseline to 85% at follow-up (χ2 = 14.1, p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with appropriate physical observations completed increased from 5% at baseline to 80% at follow-up (χ2 = 46.0, p < 0.001).

We found that the introduction of a health screening and promotion clinic improved adherence to best practice guidelines. This service was well received and readily provided within the constraints of existing resources. Ultimately, the structure of services to screen and advise patients prescribed antipsychotic medication will be determined by local resource considerations and configuration of services.

Annual physical health checks are recommended for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) as this group has a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than the rest of the general population. There is little guidance for healthcare professionals to assist them in encouraging patients to attend a health check.

To explore whether an invitation appointment letter is effective in prompting patients with SMI to attend a physical health check in primary care compared with those with diabetes.

A retrospective audit comparing the response rate of patients with SMI and diabetes to an appointment letter inviting them to attend a primary care health check.

Two-thirds (n = 61, 66%) of the patients with SMI (n = 92) and three-quarters (n = 338, 81%) of those with diabetes (n = 416) attended the practice on the date and time stipulated in the letter. Patients with diabetes were 2.2 times more likely to attend a health check compared with those with SMI (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.13–3.62).

Although attendance rates were lower than in patients with diabetes, they were higher than expected from the SMI group. An invitation appointment letter is an effective way of ensuring that patients with SMI have a physical health check.

This study applied a theory-based questionnaire to examine the behaviours and beliefs of all practice staff who may be involved in offering chlamydia screens to young people aged 15–25 years old. We aimed to identify potential influencing factors and examine the organisational constraints, which may be amenable to change.

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme offers opportunistic screening to men and women between 15 and 25 years old who have ever had sexual intercourse and primary care is the second largest source of screens. In England 15.9% of the target group were screened against a target of 17% in 2008. Interventions to improve the frequency of offers have shown effects with volunteer practices.

A survey of 85 General Practices was completed by 55 doctors, nurses and receptionists. Interviews were conducted with 12 staff from three practices.

Respondents were unable to identify the national screening target. Only half record if a patient is sexually active. Half the sample had some recollection of the frequency of offers they made, with a mean of 4 per month. These were predominantly in consultations concerning sexual health. Perceived social norms are favourable to screening and respondents have strong perceived control over offering screens, including to those under 16 who are sexually active. Attitudes towards screening were positive but disadvantages and barriers related to increased pressure on practice resources for longer consultations and contact tracing. There were no differences in beliefs and practice behaviours between medical and nursing staff.

Future interventions should be targeted at increasing the range of consultations in which offers are made, demonstrating how to make offers without increasing consultation time, providing more complete records of sexual activity, screens and results, and encouraging audit and review within the practice to promote practice wide approaches to increasing opportunistic screening.