Engagement of primary care practice in Australia: learnings from a diabetes care project
Rajna Ogrin
A E , Tracy Aylen B , Toni Rice A , Ralph Audehm C and Arti Appannah A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Suite 1.01, 973 Nepean Highway, Bentleigh, Vic. 3204, Australia.
B Bolton Clarke, Ravenhall, 279 Robinson Road, Ravenhall, Vic. 3023, Australia.
C University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
D Present address: Latrobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: rogrin@boltonclarke.com.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 25(1) 82-89 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY18057
Submitted: 29 March 2018 Accepted: 22 October 2018 Published: 30 January 2019
Abstract
Effective community-based chronic disease management requires general practice engagement and ongoing improvement in care models. This article outlines a case study on contributing factors to insufficient participant recruitment through general practice for an evidence-based diabetes care pilot project. Key stakeholder semi-structured interviews and focus groups were undertaken at cessation of the pilot project. Participants (15 GPs, five practice nurses, eight diabetes educators) were healthcare providers engaged in patient recruitment. Through descriptive analysis, common themes were identified. Four major themes were identified: (1) low perceived need for intervention; (2) communication of intervention problematic; (3) translation of research into practice not occurring; and (4) the service providing the intervention was not widely viewed as a partner in chronic disease care. Engaging GPs in new initiatives is challenging, and measures facilitating uptake of new innovations are required. Any new intervention needs to: be developed with GPs to meet their needs; have considerable lead-in time to develop rapport with GPs and raise awareness; and ideally, have dedicated support staff within practices to reduce the demand on already-overburdened practice staff. Feasible and effective mechanisms need to be developed to facilitate uptake of new innovations in the general practice setting.
Additional keywords: chronic disease management, clinical services, health services research, models of care.
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