Ellen McIntyre PHC RIS
A ‘thinking’ Conference
Researchers, policy advisors, practitioners and consumers (over 460 of them) attended the recent GP & PHC Research Conference to hear more than 150 speakers from Australia and overseas present a wealth of information about primary health care research, evaluation and development. Not for the fainthearted, this conference buzzed from dawn ‘til late into the night as delegates participated in breakfast meetings, joined in the vigorous discussions following excellent presentations, networked during the poster reception and enjoyed the company of colleagues over delicious dinners.
Dr Tikki Pang from WHO engaged the audience with his striking stories of the inequities in primary health care in our region and urged us to work towards the goals of effective PHC reform: universal coverage, enhanced service delivery, strong leadership and effective public policy.
Professor Frank Sullivan from the University of Dundee gave insight into how PHC research has evolved in Scotland providing the delegates with ideas on how this could be adapted to Australian conditions.
The two AAAGP Distinguished Paper winners Mark Nelson and Caroline Laurence gave excellent presentations on diverse research - how blood pressure measuring devices can improve hypertension management, and the costs and benefits of teaching in general practice.
As expected, health workforce matters were prominent in presentations and discussions throughout the conference. Prof Philip Davies from the University of Queensland did suggest that maybe they were more a symptom than a cause of health system problems and outlined that perhaps the PHC reform should consider capitation.
The final plenary panel, featuring commissioners from the current reform committees, were challenged by facilitator Julie McCrossin as she focused on key ways research can be useful to drive change and improve primary health care. All in all a thinking conference!
Photos from the Conference are now available to view on-line.
AAAGP Distinguished papers
Mark Nelson, Stephen Quinn, Tania Winzenberg (University of Tasmania) - Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Oscillometric Versus Manual Sphygmomanometer for Blood Pressure Management in Primary Care (CRAB)
Caroline Laurence, Linda Black (University of Adelaide) - For the love or money? The costs and benefits of teaching in community-based general practice
AAAGP Best First Time Presenter
Gillian Eastgate (Bond University) - Sexual Abuse Knowledge and Protection Skills in Women with Intellectual Disability
PHC RIS Best Poster
Carolyn Donaghey, Karin Ried (University of Adelaide) - Exploring Women's and General Practitioner's awareness of available models of maternity care in South Australia
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