Evaluating the use of Enhanced Primary Care Health Assessments by general practices in north Queensland
Tracy Cheffins A F , Margaret Spillman A , Clare Heal B , Debbie Kimber C , Maureen Brittain D and Michele Lees EA Rural Health Research Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.
C Paul Hopkins Medical Centre, 29 Brisbane Street, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.
D Barrier Reef Medical Centre, 377 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
E Caneland Medical Centre, 126 Caneland Central Shopping Centre, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: tracy.cheffins@jcu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 16(3) 221-223 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY09078
Published: 6 September 2010
Abstract
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.
Additional keyword: prevention.
Acknowledgements
Primary Health Care Research Evaluation Development (PHCRED program). GPs and staff from the participating practices. Dr Tilley Pain, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville.
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