Articles of interest

A multimethod approach to the study of sensitive organizational issues

Jehn K, Jonsen K.This article presents an approach that uses triangulation of multiple quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate sensitive organisational issues (eg conflict, personal health issues). This study demonstrates specific data elicitation techniques (eg third-person questioning) designed to decrease the reluctance of employees to respond to various forms of inquiry and shows how multimethod comparison processes are remedies for research problems accentuated in studies of sensitive organisational issues. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS].
See: mmr.sagepub.com/content/4/4/313

Development and formative evaluation of the e-Health Implementation Toolkit (e-HIT) [Free full text]

Murray E, May C et al. (2010). BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 10(1):61.
This paper reports on the development and formative evaluation of an e-Health Implementation Toolkit (e-HIT) which aims to summarise and synthesise new and existing research on implementation of e-Health initiatives, and present it to senior managers in a user-friendly format. There are three components to the toolkit - a section on background and instructions for use aimed at novice users; the toolkit itself; and the report generated by completing the toolkit. Authors found the e-HIT shows potential as a tool for enhancing future e-Health implementations. A link to the downloadable toolkit is included in the article. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS].
See: www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/10/61

How much is too much? Alcohol consumption and related harm in the Northern Territory

Skov S, Chikritzhs T, Li S, Pircher S, Whetton S. (2010). MJA, 193(5):269-72.
This article presents recent estimates of alcohol consumption and its impact on the health of people in the Northern Territory, and draws comparisons with Australia as a whole. Authors use sales data and self-report surveys, and alcohol-attributable deaths and hospitalisations among people in the NT in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 financial years using population alcohol-attributable fractions specific to the NT. Findings show that alcohol-attributable deaths occur in the NT at about 3.5 times the rate they do in Australia generally; rates in non-Aboriginal people were about double the national rate, while they were 9-10 times higher in Aboriginal people. See the full article for further analyses. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS].
See: www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_05_060910/sko10932_fm.html

Information from Pharmaceutical Companies and the Quality, Quantity, and Cost of Physicians' Prescribing: A Systematic Review [Free full text]

Spurling G, Mansfield P, Montgomery B, Lexchin J, Doust J, Othman N, Vitry A. (2010). PLos Med, 7(10).
In this article Geoffrey Spurling and colleagues report findings of a systematic review looking at the relationship between exposure to promotional material from pharmaceutical companies and the quality, quantity, and cost of prescribing. They fail to find evidence of improvements in prescribing after exposure, and find some evidence of an association with higher prescribing frequency, higher costs, or lower prescribing quality. The ABC Health Report also covered this story, see the link under 'podcasts' in this eBulletin. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS].
See: www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000352

International medical students and migration: the missing dimension in Australian workforce planning?

Hawthorne L, Hamilton J. (2010). MJA, 2010 Sep 6;193(5):262-5.
This study investigated the potential contribution of international medical students at Australian universities to the Australian medical workforce. A prospective survey in 2006-2007 of 619 international medical students in their final 2 years of undergraduate- and graduate-entry medical courses across eight Australian universities, followed by a 2009 survey of 88 international medical graduates of the University of Melbourne (most of whom were respondents of the earlier survey), assessing the correlation between students' intended place of internship and their actual place of internship. Infrastructure planning recommendations for including international medical students studying at Australian universities are included. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS].
See: www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_05_060910/haw11428_fm.html

The European Primary Care Monitor: structure, process and outcome indicators [Free full text]

This article describes the development of the European Primary Care Monitor, which is a standardized instrument for describing and comparing primary care systems in different national contexts to create opportunities for better decision making.
See: www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/11/81/abstract

Reports

Medicare Locals – Discussion Paper on Governance and Functions

The Australian Government has committed to establishing a national network of primary health care organisations, known as Medicare Locals. This discussion paper released November 2010 provides information to the public and other interested parties as to the proposed roles and functions specific to Medicare Locals. It specifically addresses: What will Medicare Locals do? What will Medicare Locals look like? How will Medicare Locals interact with patients and providers?
See: www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/MedicareLocalsDiscussionPaper

Implementing Health in All Policies: Adelaide 2010

Edited by: Professor Ilona Kickbusch & Dr Kevin Buckett
Published by: Department of Health, Government of South Australia
ISBN: 978-1-74243-033-1
This report addresses a number of important implementation challenges for Health in All Policies (HiAP). HiAP seeks to highlight the connections and interactions between health and policies from other sectors. HiAP explores policy options that contribute to the goals of non-health sectors and will improve health outcomes. This report analyses the history of HiAP, explores different contexts, elaborates on concepts and methods, and describes case studies. National and sub-national country case studies shed light on how nations as diverse as Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Norway and Thailand are incrementally working towards better policy integration and governance for social wellbeing and equity. The concepts, examples and practical experiences documented in this report provide essential learning for moving towards a clearer conceptual framework for Health in All Policies.
See: www.sapo.org.au/pub/pub16563.html

Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Strategy Phase 3 

The Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Strategy phase three document is now available on the Department of Health and Ageing Website. This document replaces the PHCRED 2006-2009 strategy document. It provides contextual background and outlines the future directions for the PHCRED Strategy, including the Government's commitment to primary health care research through funding for research capacity and through the use of research-based evidence to inform policy and practice.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pcd-programs-phcred

Audio & Video

Pharmaceutical promotion

In this ABC Health Report podcast (Monday 1 November 2010) Norman Swan speaks with Dr Geoffrey Spurling Discipline of General Practice, University of Queensland about his recently published systematic review that looked at information from pharmaceutical companies and how it influences doctors prescriving. This is the first time anyone has looked through medical literature for studies on the impact of marketing information on quality, costs and frequency of prescribing.
See: www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/

Resources

Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal - Update

Did you know that on average, 25 new guidelines are being added to the Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal each month? The Australian guidelines now on the portal and the new ones being added are from many different health settings to support better health outcomes.
See: www.clinicalguidelines.gov.au

News items

2010 Stream Funding: Interdisciplinary and/or Cross Boundary Primary Health Care Research

APHCRI has awarded $600,000 for four studies that will investigate ways of improving interdisciplinary team arrangements and access to allied health services in primary health care for people with chronic conditions. Each project has received $150,000 and will be conducted over 12 months. Final reports will be submitted to APHCRI in November 2011.
See: www.anu.edu.au/aphcri/Spokes_Research_Program/2010_Intersectoral_Boundaries.php

AIHW Access online magazine, issue no. 28, 2010

Published 26 October 2010
This edition of AIHW Access includes wrap up from the Australia’s Health 2010 conference and feature stories on the health of rural men and the rising rates of disability.  
See: www.aihw.gov.au/access/201010

GP role in Australian Health Survey revealed

The Medical Observer. (2010). 2 Nov.
GPs could be receiving thousands of blood and urine test results as part of next year’s Australian Health Survey. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has released details of the GPs’ role in the 2011 national survey. For the first time the survey will include a National Health Measures component, which will assess up to 20 biomarkers.
See: www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/gp-role-in-australian-health-survey-revealed?hash=ff1a976cb22ebf4e9e9828aefeb4beb8-3ded9434c568c104fbec258c164f8c3c

List of new super clinics unveiled

(2010). Australian Doctor newsletter. 29 Oct. The Federal Government has officially announced the location of its 28 new super clinics, worth $233 million.
See: www.australiandoctor.com.au

NHMRC Tracker: 29 October 2010

For the latest edition of the NHMRC Tracker, featuring current news and activities, please visit the link below . Contents include: NHMRC - European Union Collaborative Research Grants; RGMS Update; Public Consultation: Proposed amendments to the National Statement; Workshop: Evidence into Primary Care – 10 November 2010; National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care; NHMRC National Information and Feedback Sessions; NHMRC Annual report.
See: nhmrccommunications.createsend1.com/T/ViewEmail/r/3D3A78D12850EEDF/7980F8DFBBAB5616F6A1C87C670A6B9F

NHMRC: RGMS now re-opened

NHMRC has advised, as from 1 November 2010, RGMS has been re-opened. They thank you for your patience while they implemented RGMS upgrades during October. You can currently use RGMS to update your Profile and CV. NHMRC encourages you to keep your details up-to-date. NHMRC will open its major annual funding schemes in December.
See: www.rgms.nhmrc.gov.au/siteminderagent/forms/nhmrc/nhmrc_login.fcc?TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-000b38a0-93f9-19b9-8b3c-00017f0010d1&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=-SM-Pn2LIp06jZABHNrJHwLU8l8jSxDLWuP%2fAmLqZPuiTGULdYQDifNurNchv3rcR%2b67&TARGET=-SM-https%3a%2f%2fwww%2ergms%2enhmrc%2egov%2eau%2fniku%2fapp

Two in five doctors don’t think government reforms will improve patient care  

Carlowe J. (2010). BMJ News.
Less than a quarter of doctors believe that the government’s health reforms will improve the care of patients. This is the finding of a new survey commissioned by the independent health think tank the King’s Fund and undertaken just before last week’s spending review announcement.
See: www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6032.full

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing media releases

MyHospitals to Launch with Public Hospitals from all States

1 November 2010
The MyHospitals website will be online in December with information about public hospitals in all states and territories– including Western Australia.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr166.htm

Nurses and Midwives Access Medicare and the PBS

1 November 2010
Nurse Practitioners and Midwives will from 1 November be able to access the Medicare Benefits Schedule and provide Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines in the community.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr165.htm

TGA reforms mean patients get medicines sooner

Another Milestone For Prescription Medicine Reforms The Therapeutic Goods Administration has commenced a streamlined submission process for selected prescription medicines applications in Australia.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-ck-ck003.htm

Conferences/seminars/forums/workshop

APNA National Conference 2011

Roadmap for the Future - Great Expectations
After the outstanding success of its first two conferences (The Right Stuff and Golden Opportunities), APNA will be holding a third, inspiring conference in 2011. This conference will feature renowned keynote speakers, interactive Masterclasses, extensive opportunities to network with practice nurses from around Australia, and much more. All topics and sessions have been designed to meet the needs of nurses working in general practice and primary health care. Learn and network over 2 1/2 exciting days.
Date: Apr 07 2011 - Apr 09 2011
Location: Sydney NSW
Email: events@apna.asn.au
Website: www.apna.asn.au/conference

Australian Guideline Developers Network Workshop

The Australian Guideline Developers Network provides a forum for knowledge sharing and collaboration in clinical practice guideline development. It seeks to raise the standard of individual and public health throughout Australia. It also fosters the development of quality clinical practice guidelines in Australia as an important step in translating evidence into practice.
This workshop will focus on two priority areas identified by network members – management of conflict of interest in guideline development and schemes for rating evidence and grading clinical recommendations.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for guideline developers to exchange views on these issues, and to network with fellow members of the Australian guideline community.
Date: Nov 24 2010 - Nov 24 2010
Registration close: Nov 08 2010
Location: Sydney NSW
Contact: Annabelle Workman
Phone: 03 8866 0444
Email: clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au

Vacancies, fellowships & scholarships

EXTRA Fellow

CHSRF is accepting applications for this highly regarded part-time, two-year executive training program for healthcare leaders. Health service executives, policy makers from ministries and government departments and/or their organizations are eligible to apply. See the link below for more detail.
Closing date: Mar 01 2011
See: www.chsrf.ca/extra/who_e.php

Research Opportunities at Griffith University 

Griffith University are advertising four research opportunities: Senior Research Assistant/Research Assistant, Health Technology (Ref: 491951); Senior Research Assistant/Research Assistant, Health Economics (Ref: 491924); Research Fellow, Health Economics/Health Technology Assessment (Ref: 491950); and Senior Research Fellow/Research Fellow, Health Economics (Ref: 491923). Obtain the position description and application requirements by visiting the weblink below. For position queries, contact Professor Paul Scuffham, Chair in Health Economics, School of Medicine on +61 (0)7 3382 1367.
Closing date: Nov 10 2010
See: jobs.griffith.edu.au/jobSearch.asp

Calls for submissions

Consultation: Patient-Centred Care: Improving Safety and Quality by Focusing Care on Patients 

The consultation on the Patient Safety in Primary Health Care discussion paper advertised in last week's PHC RIS eBulletin has now closed. However, you may be interested to comment on the new consultation on Patient-Centred Care: Improving Safety and Quality by Focusing Care on Patients and Consumers. See the Commission's website via the link below.  
Closing date: Dec 17 2010
See: www.safetyandquality.gov.au/internet/safety/publishing.nsf/Content/PCCC