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In Practice: Proposed approaches to AHPRA data strategy
The RACGP has submitted feedback on the health regulator’s strategy to inform its overall approach to how data is shared.
AHPRA is looking at how the data it collects could benefit healthcare practitioners and improve its regulatory effectiveness.
This week’s round-up also includes a new toolkit for GPs on prevention and management of hearing loss and ear disease to mark World Hearing Day 3 March, plus opportunities for GPs to be involved in training sessions.
Submission on AHPRA’s draft data strategy
The RACGP has provided a submission to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on its draft data strategy.
AHPRA collects and holds data about health practitioners, students and graduates, as well as data from those who have raised concerns with them. In this consultation, the regulator is exploring how the data it collects and holds could provide greater benefit to the public and practitioners, and enhance its regulatory effectiveness.
The RACGP’s submission provides feedback on three focus areas – the public register of health practitioners, data sharing and advanced analytics. It also provides general comments on the overarching strategy and AHPRA’s use of data.
Standards update
The college has made important updates to the Standards for general practices (5th edition), reflecting the expectation that practices need to be prepared for potential clinical emergencies.
Notably, the Standards now require practices to have:
- a defibrillator
- a recorded phone message advising patients to call 000 in case of an emergency
- an electrocardiograph – previously the Standards only required timely access to this equipment
- all staff trained in basic life support.
Accredited general practices have a transition period of 12 months in which to meet these new requirements, released on 27 February 2023.
All changes are outlined in an RACGP
factsheet, with all updates now live on the
HTML version of the Standards. The updated Standards PDF version will be published on the website shortly.
World Hearing Day resources
The World Health Organization’s (WHO)
World Hearing Day 2023 on 3 March highlights the importance of integrating ear and hearing care in primary care as ‘an essential component of universal health coverage’.
With the theme of ‘Ear and hearing care for all’, this year’s focus is on ensuring equal access to care for those in need.
Ear and hearing issues are common, and according to the WHO, more than 60% of these can be identified and addressed in the primary care setting.
To mark World Hearing Day, the WHO is launching a new
training kit for primary care providers – a practical guidance on prevention, identification and management of hearing loss and common ear diseases that lead to hearing loss.
Comprising a series of stand-alone modules, the manual is accompanied by a trainer’s handbook and other resources, including a communication toolkit and posters to download and display in practices to help raise awareness in the community. All are available on the
WHO website.
GP recruitment for Pathways to Safety program
For GPs and primary care nurses interested in improving the capacity of primary care to respond to domestic and family violence (DFV), the Safer Families Centre’s
Pathways to Safety Program at the University of Melbourne is offering casual employment places for facilitators to virtually deliver DFV education to primary care staff across Australia.
The role will incorporate co-delivery of group training, with a trained DFV facilitator, to a limited number of primary care staff. Facilitators will be supported by the
Safer Families Centre team, with all materials included and time remunerated, including attendance at a facilitator orientation training program (six hours across two sessions).
Key selection criteria:
- Prior training, experience or an interest in addressing DFV or trauma-informed care
- Skills and experience in training small groups on sensitive issues
- Experience engaging with services such as DFV, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, or sexual assault services
- Strong communication skills and experience in public speaking
To register interest in becoming a GP facilitator, complete an
Expression of Interest or contact the
Safer Families Project Officer for more information.
Antenatal psychosocial screening tools focus group
The University of Melbourne is currently seeking GPs to participate in a focus group to help evaluate a digital antenatal psychosocial screening tool.
The digital screening and clinical decision support tool aims to help GPs identify and respond to psychosocial risk factors in pregnancy, such as alcohol and substance use, exposure to domestic and family violence, and experiences of poor mental health. Assistance in the project will help to ensure it will work well in the busy general practice context.
GPs are required to participate in a 45–60-minute focus group evaluation, where they will be shown a demonstration of a prototype antenatal psychosocial screening tool, and then be asked to provide feedback on what would and wouldn’t work in their general practice.
To participate in this project, or for more information,
contact the university.
Supporting alcohol-free pregnancies
Webinar: Tuesday 28 March, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
For GPs interested in providing the best possible care for patients who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, this webinar details the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, and the impacts of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Presented by Dr Hester Wilson, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, it will provide evidence-based information and strategies for having regular, best-practice conversations about alcohol with patients, providing GPs with the tools and knowledge needed to reduce health risks and improve outcomes for pregnant patients and their babies.
Register online.
Connecting with families: Common practice challenges in child mental health
Webinar: Thursday 30 March, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
1.5 EA CPD hours
The 2023
Emerging Minds and RACGP webinar series will continue to advocate for a child-centred and family-focused approach to infant and child mental health.
Presented by RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person’s Health, the series will again be structured around practice challenges associated with the delivery of the
Childhood mental health consultation guide, which consists of four distinct phases – Connect, Explore, Plan and Collaborate.
Based on a case study, this webinar will explore some of the challenges and opportunities faced by GPs in the ‘Connect’ phase of practice. The webinar will draw on the
National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy as the foundation to explore the important role of all general practice staff, including practice nurses, practice managers and GPs, in connecting with children and families.
Register online.
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