| Project Objectives / Summary:
This was a collaborative project across five Divisions aimed at defining and supporting the role of the practice nurse in supporting GP uptake of the EPC package.
Project Collaboration:
The project was coordinated by the Monash Division in collaboration with the Central Bayside, Dandenong, Mornington Peninsula and Sherbrooke and Pakenham Divisions of General Practice. Twenty practices participated in the study.
Project Outcomes:
Through semi structured interviews and focus groups, the project collected both qualitative and quantitative data covering a description of the practice structure, uptake of the EPC MBS items, a checklist of tasks relating to the conduct of a health assessment, the role of a Practice Nurse, and the role of Divisions.
Barriers reported included difficulty in using the Items (ambiguous descriptors, confusion re. which tool to use), the time needed to conduct health assessments, inadequate planning by GPs, patients being unclear about the purpose of a health assessment, and personnel issues (lack of space to accomodate a Practice Nurse, communication issues etc).
Enablers included GP commitment, practice features such as the level of computerisation, and time spent in planning and preparation. Various benefits arising from health assessments were noted (financial, medical records, improved practice and patient perceptions). Generally, the role and attributes of a Practice Nurse was understood by GPs with an expanding role seen.
The project examined three alternative models of health assessment (opportunistic, contracting and internal employment). The internal employment model provided the greatest financial advantage to GPs.
The Practice Nurse role has been an evolving one and potential was seen for it to increase, particularly in relation to the clinical and assessment elements. They were seen as valuable because of their specific and complementary skills.
Disseminating Project Information:
- Presentation at the GPDV 2nd Annual Conference
- Presentation at the GPDV EPC Program Network workshop - May 4th 2001
- Presented project findings to GPs at Central Bayside, North West Melbourne, Westgate and Western Melbourne Divisions & Practice Managers Network at Sherbrooke & Pakenham Divisions.
- Disseminated an information kit to all Divisions nationally.
- EPC website
Resources
- Getting Started
- Financial Analysis
Lessons:
This project was successful for a number of reasons:
- Good inter-Divisional collaboration
- A topical issue of interest to a range of stakeholders
- It provided useful analysis that can be utilised by ADGP and the Department in implementing the Practice Nurse initiative.
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