Amy Hoffmann, PHC RIS
The Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (PHC RIS) launched Snapshot of Australian primary health care research 2009 at this year’s GP & PHC Research Conference in Melbourne. Following on from the inaugural Snapshot released in 2008, this publication highlights even more Australian research projects that are having a real impact on the health of Australians.
An example of research having real tangible benefits is seen in the Gudaga – healthy baby project featured in the publication. The study about the health needs of Aboriginal infants and their mothers has driven the regional health service to implement a program of antenatal and postnatal home visits for local families.
Another example of this is the Greater Green Triangle Diabetes Prevention Project. The project revealed that using a lifestyle intervention program in primary care can significantly reduce the risk and burden of diabetes. This resulted in the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes lifestyle modification program. It is now being used by 25,000 Victorians.
The web based Great Southern Managed Health Network (GSMHN) has proven that distance need not be a barrier in improving patient care with the project linking health professionals through shared electronic health records, secure communication and remote clinical and administrative management. An evaluation found that the GSMHN has resulted in greater speed of information transfer, better communication and better access to patient information.
The research represented in the publication is funded by the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Strategy, a program designed to improve Australia’s capacity to produce high quality primary health care research.
This publication can be viewed at <www.phcris.org.au/snapshot/2009>.
Free copies can be ordered on-line at <www.phcris.org.au/publications/order> or phone 1800 025 882.
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