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Diabetes project winds up |
The diabetes project, run through the division for the last three years, wound up in June. The project has implemented sustainable initiatives that will still be available to GPs throughout the division, such as the diabetes recall system operating through S&N, and the diabetes complications screening clinic operating through St Vincent’s Hospital. We would encourage all GPs to continue to make use of these services.
It is hoped that diabetes will be revisited and another project implemented through the division in the next strategic planning cycle (2002-05). The division would like to thank GP project manager Paul O’Brien and project officer Lyn Clements for their work and direction with this project to date, which gained recognition throughout Australia for its achievements.
The project has endeavoured to improve the management and health outcomes of people with diabetes in the Northern Rivers Area Health Service. The complications screening clinic at St Vincent’s Hospital has provided feedback to GPs on their diabetes management techniques in line with national guidelines. Patients have benefited through receiving an integrated approach and a uniform quality standard of care for their diabetes. During this process local community health services were identified and incorporated into the project as valuable resources for GPs and their patients to access.
During the trial 15 doctors received diabetes educator feedback and visits on their current diabetes management techniques. These feedback sessions were well received with calls for the initiative to be expanded to include all GPs in the region.
The division conducted a weekly clinic in conjunction with St Vincent’s Hospital complications screening clinic. Clinic records showed an increase in GPs using the clinic, with a gradual increase of patients being referred over a 12 month period
A major achievement was the development of a sustainable regional recall system in collaboration with S&N Pathology. Currently, 237 doctors are on the register throughout the region with 5.5% choosing not to participate. The register now has 4,252 people enrolled. Follow up HBA1C tests for diabetic patients have increased by 12% since the register’s inception. All GPs have been notified of the register and are encouraged to actively recruit their patients to the recall system.
Chris Clark is the program coordinator and project development officer at the NRDGP. For further information, contact Chris on 6622 4454.
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