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At the Conference

Divisions contributed a wide variety of research and analysis to the GP & PHC Research Conference. Recent projects covered such topics as the health outcomes related to dual water reticulation systems; nutrition management in cardiovascular disease; and the impact of corporatisation on general practice.

The relationships between general practice and hospitals have been a particular focus of Division research. GP Links Wide Bay explored a program aimed at improving cooperative and collaborative behaviours between general practice and hospitals. It was intended that such behaviours would both facilitate the transfer of patients’ care and increase the likelihood that opportunities to improve services would be identified. Liaison program teams have become a route through which ideas and feedback can be communicated between primary and secondary care teams. Hospital committees have been found to be a particularly useful venue for general practice involvement in hospital planning. Patient access and service equity has been improved through a better understanding of hospital services.

The Townsville General Practice Network provided a summary of research aiming to improve patient transfer between hospital and general practice. Medication documentation, pathology results and GP follow-up recommendations have been identified as areas of concern. The effectiveness of the Enterprise Discharge Summary as an aid to the care of patients who are being transferred between services will be evaluated.

Divisions have also been active in researching mental health provision. The Brisbane South Division of General Practice presented a program particularly focused on increased awareness of mental illness in disadvantaged populations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and disadvantaged youth). Reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and raising community awareness of mental health issues is envisaged to enable better access to mental health care and other community services, in particular those associated with early intervention.

General Practice Cairns presented on the management of clients living with mental illness. Specifically, the supports that can be utilised for systematic management of patients with mental health issues were identified.

The role of Divisions in enabling and benefiting from connectivity and linkages between stakeholders was the subject of a number of papers. Cecilia Moretti et al from PHC RIS presented on the way in which South Australian Divisions provided practice support, GP education and other forms of collaboration in order to enhance the prevention and management of diabetes.

Jan Pullar reported on the experience of the Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice’s experience in capacity building as a consequence of participating in a study investigating negative attitudes toward immunisation. Research arising from, or directly connected to, the activities of Divisions has been a core component of the GP & PHC Research Conference over its history. This year’s conference continued the tradition of developing and extending that body of research.

Abstracts by Divisions

1. It's good to talk: General Practice and Hospital cooperation.
   Shaun Rudd, Martin Ridge.
2. How are clients with mental health illnesses managed in the general practice setting?
   Jennifer Chamberlain-Salaun, Jane Mills, Robyn Preston.
3. Towards successful integration: Comparison of specialist and GP assessment of discharge summaries.
   Lesley Stainkey, Tilley Pain, Lynden Roberts, John Hack.
4. Alternatives to Corporatisation.
   Jill Kelly, Caroline Droutsas, Marianne Shearer.
5. Connecting Communities.
   Sue Pope.
   
6. Stakeholders and residents - who got what from the water. A study of health services utilisation and urban dual water reticulation system.
   Karin Leder, Darren Carr, Martha Sinclair, Rebecca Schultz, Michael Burke.
7. Cardiovascular disease - who has the leadership role for nutrition management?
   Sylvia Pomeroy, Anthony Worsley.
8. Bayside GP Network Practice Liaison Program (PLP) Initiative.
   Kath Ferry.
9. Implementing the 45 - 49 Year Old Health Check in rural general practice.
   Brian Connor, Deborah Page, Tanya Norman.
10. Using research to build division knowledge and support general practice.
    Jan Pullar.

Abstracts about Divisions

1. Divisions' role in diabetes prevention and management in 2006-07: a South Australian case study.
   Cecilia Moretti, Ann-Louise Hordacre, Libby Kalucy, Sara Howard.

To view these abstracts go to <www.phcris.org.au/conference/browse.php?catid=874>
and search by the title or author.