Jack Seaton, Anne Jones, Catherine Johnston, Karen Francis
{"title":"Promoting effective interprofessional collaborative practice in the primary care setting: recommendations from Queensland physiotherapy private practitioners.","authors":"Jack Seaton, Anne Jones, Catherine Johnston, Karen Francis","doi":"10.1071/PY23175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/PY23175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physiotherapy private practitioners represent a growing proportion of Australia's primary care workforce; however, they face significant barriers in integrating seamlessly within interprofessional teams. Historically, the landscape of primary care in Australia has been one where many physiotherapists work in monoprofessional private practice facilities at dispersed locations, potentially limiting collaborative and coordinated care. The aim of this study was to investigate strategies recommended by physiotherapists to promote effective interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) within the Australian private practice setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using interpretive description as the guiding methodological framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 physiotherapists in 10 private practice sites in Queensland, Australia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data analysis produced three themes that characterised physiotherapy private practitioners' recommendations to improve IPCP: (a) the need for improved funding and compensation, particularly addressing the limitations of the Medicare Chronic Disease Management program; (b) the development of integrated and secure digital communication systems to facilitate better information exchange; and (c) prioritising professional development and training to enhance collaboration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This research lays the groundwork for informed policy making to advance person-centred care and support the integration of services in the Australian healthcare system. The findings from this study indicate that promoting effective IPCP in physiotherapy private practice requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses systemic funding and compensation issues, enhances digital communication systems and optimises interprofessional education and training.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139682059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melissa Savaglio, Renee O'Donnell, Helen Skouteris
{"title":"The impact of COVID-19 on community mental health: lessons learned from Tasmania, Australia.","authors":"Melissa Savaglio, Renee O'Donnell, Helen Skouteris","doi":"10.1071/PY23006","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on community mental health globally and widened pre-existing health and social inequities. Tasmania, Australia has one of the highest rates of mental ill health and socioeconomic disadvantage in the country. Whilst Tasmania experienced a delayed and reduced physical presence of COVID-19 compared to other states and territories, mental health impacts remain. It is necessary to understand such impacts to inform policy, practice, and recommendations to enhance the mental health service sector and prevent future mental health burden. This qualitative study aimed to explore expert mental health stakeholders' perspectives of the impact of COVID-19 on: (1) the mental health of people living in Tasmania, and (2) mental health services.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Semi-structured interviews with 12 expert mental health stakeholders across Tasmania were conducted. This sample was well-positioned to comment on the impact of COVID-19 on community mental health and provide recommendations to enhance the sector. Interviews were thematically analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three subthemes exploring the COVID-19 impact on mental health were included: (1) anxiety, distress, and isolation; (2) varying presentations across age groups; and (3) increased complexity. Four key themes capturing the COVID-19 impact on mental health services were identified: (1) transition to telehealth; (2) increased service demand; (3) spotlight on service gaps; and (4) local workforce shortages.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The pandemic has highlighted existing gaps across the community mental health service sector, and exacerbated existing psychosocial/structural stressors resulting in increased presentations and complexity of mental illness among the community, particularly for youth. Existing treatment gaps and inequities in service access, engagement, and mental health outcomes will persist if not addressed. Recommendations have been provided to inform community mental health service planning, policy, design, access, and provision, and improve wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41124139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aboriginal Health Practitioners <i>obtaining, possessing</i> and <i>administering</i> fluoride varnish: self-determination driven regulation amendment for integrated oral health care for Aboriginal children.","authors":"Rahila Ummer-Christian, Dallas Widdicombe, Anil Raichur, Danielle Couch","doi":"10.1071/PY23201","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23201","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Self-determination informed policies are key to improved outcomes for Aboriginal health. Aboriginal leadership must be reflected throughout any public health reform process that affects Aboriginal communities. This paper presents a body of oral health policy work, undertaken under Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group's (LMARG's) leadership, as an exemplar of a self-determination informed change, that led to an amendment of an Australian state (Victoria) regulation - The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners [AHPs]) Regulations 2022. A summary of activities undertaken by LMARG, from advocacy to leading the submission, to amend the regulation, is provided. The amendment, now in place, authorises registered AHPs to obtain, possess, and administer fluoride varnish (FV) as a part of health services they provide. FV is a concentrated form of fluoride applied to tooth surfaces to prevent tooth decay. The practical implication of this amendment is delivery of a culturally appropriate integrated oral health promotion FV model that addresses mainstream dental access barriers commonly experienced by Aboriginal people. The model aims at upskilling an Aboriginal workforce to facilitate timely FV application to Aboriginal children.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139428043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The evaluation of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles for a healthcare quality improvement intervention in primary care.","authors":"Deborah Manandi, Qiang Tu, Nashid Hafiz, Rebecca Raeside, Julie Redfern, Karice Hyun","doi":"10.1071/PY23123","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is an iterative framework that has been gaining traction in primary care for quality improvement. However, its implementation remains understudied. This study evaluated the completion, achievement of goal, content quality, and enablers and barriers associated with completion of high-quality PDSA cycles in cardiovascular disease management in general practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analysed data from intervention practices of the QUality improvement in primary care to prevent hospitalisations and improve Effectiveness and efficiency of care for people Living people with coronary heart disease (QUEL) study. Content quality of cycles was assessed using a scoring system created based on established criteria of ideal PDSA cycles in the healthcare context. Practice-level factors associated with completion and cycles achieving the planned goal were explored through logistic regression models, and with content quality score through linear regression model. Enablers and barriers were assessed using thematic analysis of practices' responses to the PDSA sections.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ninety-seven cycles were reported by 18/26 (69%) practices. Seventy-seven percent of the cycles were completed and 68% achieved the planned goal. Content quality was low, with a median score of 56% (interquartile interval: 44%, 67%). Odds of cycles that were completed and achieved what was planned increased by 3.6- and 9.6-fold, respectively, with more general practitioners (GPs) within practices. Content quality was higher by 15% with more GPs. Lack of interprofessional engagement was a barrier to implementation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cycles were well completed, but poor in content quality, with high variability between practices. Human or capital resources and organisational support may be critical for the completion and cycles achieving the planned goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138464988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew W R Stevens, Rowena Ivers, Joanne Telenta, Robert L Ali
{"title":"Building workforce capacity to address substance use in primary health care: preliminary results from a mixed-methods pilot program.","authors":"Matthew W R Stevens, Rowena Ivers, Joanne Telenta, Robert L Ali","doi":"10.1071/PY23148","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Primary health care is critical to the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related harms. Scaling-up screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) within primary health care can reduce the burden of substance-related diseases, and improve downstream healthcare services. Building knowledge, skills and confidence among general practitioners (GPs), particularly in rural, regional and remote areas, to deliver SBIRT is an essential step. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot test a skills-based training program for GPs designed to build capacity for SBIRT delivery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This pilot study investigated the acceptability of a structured, educational skills-based training program among GPs, as well as its preliminary effectiveness in inducing changes in confidence to deliver SBIRT, and in increasing knowledge about low-risk alcohol guidance. The training package was designed by experts in addiction medicine and public health, and involved a series of online webinars and in-person workshops at four locations across the South Eastern NSW Primary Healthcare Network catchment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 18 GPs registered for the training, with six completing the final webinar. The GPs who completed all sessions demonstrated increases in confidence to deliver SBIRT and alcohol guidance knowledge from baseline. Qualitative feedback found the program acceptable, and GPs were able to successfully implement learnings into practice, and promote to colleagues.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results indicated the potential of this program at a national level, but highlighted the need for a range of additional incentives to encourage uptake and ongoing implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138833493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Minyon L Avent, Lisa Hall, Mieke van Driel, Annette Dobson, Laura Deckx, Mahmoud Galal, Malene Plejdrup Hansen, Charles Gilks
{"title":"Reducing antibiotic prescribing in general practice in Australia: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a multimodal intervention.","authors":"Minyon L Avent, Lisa Hall, Mieke van Driel, Annette Dobson, Laura Deckx, Mahmoud Galal, Malene Plejdrup Hansen, Charles Gilks","doi":"10.1071/PY23024","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The health and economic burden of antimicrobial resistance (in Australia is significant. Interventions that help guide and improve appropriate prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in the community represent an opportunity to slow the spread of resistant bacteria. Clinicians who work in primary care are potentially the most influential health care professionals to address the problem of antimicrobial resistance, because this is where most antibiotics are prescribed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cluster randomised trial was conducted comparing two parallel groups of 27 urban general practices in Queensland, Australia: 13 intervention and 14 control practices, with 56 and 54 general practitioners (GPs), respectively. This study evaluated an integrated, multifaceted evidence-based package of interventions implemented over a 6-month period. The evaluation included quantitative and qualitative components, and an economic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A multimodal package of interventions resulted in a reduction of 3.81 prescriptions per GP per month. This equates to 1280.16 prescriptions for the 56GPs in the intervention practices over the 6-month period. The cost per prescription avoided was A$148. The qualitative feedback showed that the interventions were well received by the GPs and did not impact on consultation time. Providing GPs with a choice of tools might enhance their uptake and support for antimicrobial stewardship in the community.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A multimodal package of interventions to enhance rational prescribing of antibiotics is effective, feasible and acceptable in general practice. Investment in antimicrobial stewardship strategies in primary care may ultimately provide the important returns for public health into the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41242101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tammy Weselman, Chiara Naseri, Sharmila Vaz, Janet Beilby, Luke Garswood, Hilary O'Connell, Anne-Marie Hill
{"title":"<i>Corrigendum to</i>: Older adults' experiences of a community wellness program (Connect 60+) that focused on physical activity and social connections: a qualitative exploratory study.","authors":"Tammy Weselman, Chiara Naseri, Sharmila Vaz, Janet Beilby, Luke Garswood, Hilary O'Connell, Anne-Marie Hill","doi":"10.1071/PY22153_CO","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/PY22153_CO","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":"30 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140869923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postpartum contraception in Australia: opportunities for increasing access in the primary care setting.","authors":"Rhea Singh, Jessica R Botfield","doi":"10.1071/PY23101","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In Australia, 20% of pregnancies occur within the first year after birth and most are unintended. Both unintended pregnancies and short interpregnancy intervals (<12-18months) can have adverse effects on maternal, infant, and child health. Access to postpartum contraception reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies and short interpregnancy intervals, and supports women in pregnancy planning and birth spacing. In this forum article, we describe how postpartum contraception is currently provided in Australia and highlight opportunities for improving access in the primary care setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50164126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jill Benson, Shaun Prentice, Penny Need, Michelle Pitot, Taryn Elliott
{"title":"'A sense of self, empowerment and purposefulness': professional diversification and wellbeing in Australian general practitioners.","authors":"Jill Benson, Shaun Prentice, Penny Need, Michelle Pitot, Taryn Elliott","doi":"10.1071/PY23090","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Burnout and workforce shortages comprise a vicious cycle in medicine, particularly for Australian general practitioners (GPs). Professional diversification, whereby individuals work multiple roles across their week, may help address this problem, but this strategy is under-studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We surveyed 1157 Australian GPs using qualitative and quantitative questions examining professional diversification, values, autonomy, and wellbeing. Quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics, whilst qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. We triangulated the data by using the qualitative findings to inform further quantitative testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Approximately 40% of the sample had diversified. Although diversifying was not significantly associated with wellbeing, the qualitative data indicated that diversification supported GPs' wellbeing by enhancing career sustainability, accomplished through various pathways (e.g. value fulfilment, autonomy, variety). Subsequent quantitative analyses provided evidence that these pathways mediated the relationship between diversification and wellbeing. To diversify, GPs needed particular personal qualities, external supports, flexibility, and serendipity. Barriers to diversifying mirrored these factors, spanning individual (e.g. skillset) and situational levels (e.g. autonomy, location).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Diversification can support GPs' wellbeing if it meets their needs. Organisations should focus on publicising opportunities and accommodating requests to diversify.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71523834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anusuya Dhar, Judith Needham, Michelle Gibb, Elisabeth Coyne
{"title":"The client and family experience of attending a nurse-led clinic for chronic wounds.","authors":"Anusuya Dhar, Judith Needham, Michelle Gibb, Elisabeth Coyne","doi":"10.1071/PY23081","DOIUrl":"10.1071/PY23081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The quality of life for individuals with chronic wounds is diminished due to poor health-related outcomes and the financial burden of wound care. The literature has shown nurse-led wound care to have a positive impact on wound healing and psychosocial wellbeing. However, there is minimal research investigating the lived experience of attending a nurse-led clinic for chronic wounds. The purpose of this study was to explore the client and family experience of attending a nurse-led clinic for chronic wounds.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured telephone interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve clients and two family members participated, and the average length of interviews was 20min. Three main themes emerged: (1) expecting and managing pain; (2) receiving expert advice and reflecting on previous care; and (3) managing the cost of care. There was an emphasis on the impact of chronic wounds on pain and the ability to complete the activities of daily living. Expert advice, client satisfaction and physical accessibility were highlighted as benefits of the clinic. Cost and minimal client education were identified as challenges of the clinic.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings demonstrated that chronic wounds have a significant impact on the client and family attending the nurse-led clinic. Comprehensive pain assessment, improved social support, better client education and cost-effective care is required to optimise the experience for people attending the nurse-led clinic.</p>","PeriodicalId":93892,"journal":{"name":"Australian journal of primary health","volume":" ","pages":"NULL"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71489885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}