Registrars commonly experience problems during vocational training. These may be related to structural, social and professional isolation, or a lack of flexibility in training arrangements and balancing work and other commitments. Some of these problems may be amenable to relatively simple solutions involving term placements, selection of training practices and administrative adjustments.
The Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program funds GPs to provide preventative health assessments through a specific set of Medicare item numbers. The study aimed to show whether patients completing these health assessments had better recorded screening rates than those receiving usual care. A retrospective clinical record audit was undertaken in north Queensland general practices by practice nurses from the North Queensland Practice Based Research Network. Comparisons were made between the recorded screening test rates for patients who completed an over-75-years health assessment with those who did not. A questionnaire was also completed by practice nurses and practice principals. Screening tests were recorded more frequently in patients with a completed health assessment: notably urinalysis, visual acuity and faecal occult blood test/colonoscopy. Blood pressure was the most frequently recorded test with or without a health assessment. The questionnaires provided useful information on how health assessments are implemented and whether GPs believe they are useful.
Our collaborative relationship with Mackay Libraries began informally when we undertook a work shadowing program with our Public Library counterparts. The professional discussions which followed, and an examination of the available literature on the topic of school and public library cooperation, indicated that we had much in common. More importantly, we realized that cooperation could be beneficial for our respective communities. Allan Bundy’s excellent article, ‘Essential Connections School and Public Libraries for Lifelong Learning’ provided a wonderful historical perspective and also investigated attitudes of those involved in both library sectors. It was a challenging article and gave us the encouragement to believe that we could make a difference in our respective communities.
This letter acknowledges the work of Parkinson et al. 'Recruiting general practitioners for surveys: reflections on the difficulties and some lessons learned' (Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2015, 21(2), 254-258), but contributes additional reflections and lessons learned from a successful practice-based research network.
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