Cecilia Moretti, PHC RIS
The Primary Health Care Research and Information Service (PHC RIS) has collected and reported data from the Annual Survey of Divisions (ASD) since 1993-94. This has traditionally been in the format of a comprehensive national-level report, identifying trends and patterns in Division activities and infrastructure in the context of broader health and political developments. In 2007-08, significant changes resulted in a much abbreviated Summary Data Report identifying longitudinal trends with limited explanatory text.
Approximately two-thirds of established questions were removed from the survey plus whole sections relating to prevention, chronic disease management and quality support. At the same time, some new questions were introduced addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) access to major health services and IM/IT in Divisions.
In 2007-08, all 115 Divisions completed the ASD. Findings showed that the nation-wide number of practices continued to decrease (n=7 361 to 7 261), although increased numbers were reported for GPs (n=22 868 to 22 965) and practice nurses (n=7 493 to 8 575). Division membership (particularly non-GP members) declined (n=25 523 to 23 289), as did the number of Division board members (n=957 to 919). Support for practice nurses was a continued priority, with 100% of Divisions conducting at least one related activity.
Ninety-five percent of Divisions conducted at least one activity to improve access to ATSI major health services, with the majority focusing on promoting Indigenous health issues (see Figure 1). Fifty-six Divisions (49%) reported currently using the Information Management Maturity Framework (IMMF), with 90% intending to use this resource either annually or on an ad hoc basis in the future.
The 2007-08 Summary Data Report is available as a PDF for download on the PHC RIS website <www.phcris.org.au/products/asd/>. Any related enquires should be directed to Cecilia Moretti cecilia.moretti@flinders.edu.au or Rachel Katterl rachel.katterl@flinders.edu.au, or contact PHC RIS Assist on 1800 025 882 (free call within Australia).
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