News
In Practice: Medication management at transitions of care
GPs can help shape the framework to optimise the use of medicines at transitions of care and reduce risk of medication-related harm.
It is estimated that more than half of medication errors occur at transitions of care.
This week’s In Practice also includes an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft standards for accreditation of general practice training settings, a reminder about GP24 next month, and GP mental health training resources.
Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Health Care (ACSQHC) has developed a draft ‘Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework’ and is seeking feedback from healthcare professionals working in the acute, primary or aged care sectors, who are involved in managing medicines for patients at transitions of care.
According to the ACSQHC, more than 50% of medication errors occur at transitions of care. The framework aims to:
- support coordinated governance of medication management at transitions of care
- promote and optimise appropriate medicines management practices at transitions of care
- reduce hospital re-admission rates due to medication errors that occur at discharge
- improve hospital referral pathways to primary and community healthcare providers for safer medication management at transitions of care.
Public consultation is now open until 11.59 pm, Sunday 27 October (AEDT)
via a 20-minute online survey.
AMC consultation with practices accredited for training
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) accredits the RACGP as a specialist medical college and is currently consulting on the development of draft model accreditation standards for the accreditation of training settings. These standards will define the expectations set by the AMC when specialist colleges are accrediting training sites.
The college is reviewing the possible impact for current and future RACGP-accredited training sites, focusing its advocacy efforts on ensuring any standards published by the AMC recognise general practice as a unique training environment and that the requirements for college accreditation of training sites remain as manageable as they currently are.
More information and how to contribute to the consultation is available on
the AMC website until 11 November.
Six weeks to go until GP24
The RACGP is looking forward to welcoming members at GP24 in Perth from 21–23 November, with a reminder that now is the time to
register and start planning the trip.
Registration includes three days of informative sessions, hands-on workshops and keynotes exploring topics from GP wellbeing and cultural safety to digital health.
Those interested in developing hands-on skills can register for an optional full-day workshop on Wednesday 20 November at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Kick off the GP24 experience early and hear from experts on:
- cultural safety and trauma-informed care
- dermatology in general practice
- emergency medicine for rural GPs
- point-of-care ultrasound.
Register here for optional full-day workshops.
What is the GPMHSC?
The
General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) strives to ensure optimal mental health for the Australian population by ensuring that GPs receive high-quality education and training in mental health.
The GPMHSC is a multidisciplinary body funded by the Commonwealth Government under the
Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative, and includes representatives from general practice, psychiatry, psychology and the community.
The GPMHSC establishes standards for training in mental health in relation to the Better Access initiative, and accredits training activities related to general practice mental health care that aims to develop GPs’ knowledge of and skills in detecting and treating mental illness.
The GPMHSC additionally develops resources to support GPs to provide mental health services and contributes to the development of policy for general practice and mental health.
More information about how the GPMHSC Secretariat can assist GPs in their practice is available at
mentalhealth@racgp.org.au
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GP24 In Practice medication safety mental health training practice accreditation transitions of care
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