| Project Objectives / Summary:
The project sought to identify the key issues relating to better integrated care by GPs, consumers, and allied health working together at a Division level.
The Allied Health Forum comprised 15 members with backgrounds in the areas of community and hospital based nursing, public and private physiotherapy and podiatry, counselling, community pharmacy, private home care services, dietetics, naturopathy and chiropractic.
Project Collaboration:
The project required the collaboration of many stakeholders; the final report provides a detailed list of the participating stakeholders on pages 19 - 20.
Project Outcomes:
The key outcomes of the project were:
- The establishment of an Allied Health Forum as a sustainable system for communication between the FRDGP and allied health and community care workers.
- The establishment of mechanisms for effective collaboration between GPs, consumers and allied health to meet local community needs.
- Collaboration in the development of Division Strategic and Business Plans and in a range of significant issues
- The identification of an innovative model of integrated primary care and the successful application for evaluation funds from the Primary Care Integration section of the GP Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
Recommendations:
- The benefits and costs of collaboration between GPs, consumers and Allied Health Professionals need to be carefully considered by individual Divisions as they negotiate local conditions and sensitivities.
- Further support for the infrastructure associated with integrated working relationships with a diversity of public and private providers in the community should be considered a priority for the Commonwealth.
Dissemination:
Publications:
- Results of the project have been distributed to members of the Allied Health Forum and to Division members.
Lessons / Assessment:
The seeding of a collaborative relationship between GPs, Consumers and Allied Health providers within the Division was a beneficial initiative. Working relationships within the program and management structure of the Division have improved markedly. Similar to the benefits of consumer participation and establishment of Consumer Reference Groups, the establishment of an Allied Health Forum has functioned to provide a more comprehensive approach to communication strategies between GPs and other health and community care providers.
The benefits and costs of such collaborations need to be carefully considered by individual Divisions as they negotiate local conditions and sensitivities.
Difficulties were experienced in providing an appropriate level of administrative and on-going liaison support. Further support for the infrastructure associated with integrated working relationships with a diversity of public and private providers in the community should be considered a priority.
The outcomes and resources generated by the current project will serve as useful tools for promoting the local adaptation of policy initiatives such as primary care integration and use of the EPC items.
The project resulted in a local model of collaboration that provides worthwhile reference tools for other Divisions. |
