Virtual Amalgamation

Project goal

To develop cooperative partnerships that incorporate clinical and business models in a variety of rural general practice settings for the benefit of individual patients, the broader community and GPs.

Introduction

The NRDGP is ideally suited to the development of the virtual amalgamation initiative as it boasts considerable experience both in innovative practice management and in the ability to incorporate information technology and information management into the practice setting.

The division hosts www.MedicineAu.net.au, a medical website archived by the national library as a valuable medical resource. The division has incorporated information technology and information management into its three yearly strategic plan, during which time computerisation has increased in the division from 30% of practices with a computer on their desk to more than 90% of practices using computers.

The project seeks to:

Provide access to support and training for both information management and information technology that has a positive effect on participating surgeries wishing to virtually amalgamate.

Develop a model of consistency between rural practices to enable efficient business outcomes.

Implement clinical practice models that allow for the increased continuity and quality of patient care together with positive GP outcomes.

The pilot project involves three Casino based practices.