GP Link Youth Counselling Service

The aim of the inImage Library achieving this aim. Firstly, Divisions Directoryto provide a direct serviceDocument Library to GPs by way of aPrograms counsellor to take referralsPolicy from GPs and secondly, Mediathe provision of a seriesEvents of Continuing Medical   Education Links(CME) opportunities on relevant topics. During its > operationAnnual Forum > GP-LinkDivisions Achievement Awards > CounsellingAwards Finalists 2003 > sawAbout the Awards > Promoting Divisions over 70  

move to by Karen Burge, Medical ObserverOutcomes DIVISIONS pride themselves on their ability to offer quality support to GPsand roll out effective health programs to the community.Based Often, however, the communities have very little idea about what a division of general practice is. As a result, the Divisions Achievement Awards 2003 aim to recognise excellence in 'promoting divisions', to acknowledge the commitment of people who have worked hard to promote the role of local GPs and to raise public awareness of the work of divisions. Funding The four finalists in the 'promoting divisions' category have dedicated time and resources in getting the message out to the community. They are: Northern division in urban and outer-urban Melbourne; the Northern Rivers division in rural NSW; GP Connections in Toowoomba, Queensland; and Illawarra division on the NSW South Coast.the Divisions need to communicate with the broader community to succeed, says Dr Andrew Binns, of Northern Rivers.Division  isMELBOURNE's Northern Division of general practice, the winner of last year's award in this category, has continued its strong promotion of general practice with the division, members, staff and projects featuring 43 times in the local weekly press since July. They have also appeared on national radio, Koori radio and SBS radio as well as television. exploringThe division is very pleased to have been named a finalist once again, division program coordinator Nancy Atkin said."We've been very happy with the relationship we've built with journalists and, from our point ofview, it's very important that we have an avenue to get the GP point of view across," Ms Atkin says."When we are contacted to comment for a news story, we always get a local GP involved so the GP voice gets heard. options"Local GPs in the media have provided the community with information on priority health areas, including diabetes, mental health, drug and alcohol problems, and Aboriginal health, Ms Atkin says. forTHE Northern Rivers Divisiona has a comprehensive package of publications, including GPSpeak,which is approaching its 10th year in circulation.When GPSpeak was first published, the division says, there was no regional medical publication providing news and information to doctors in the area.In the intervening decade, GPSpeak has grown from a four-page newsletter to a 24-page colour magazine with regular features and GP contributors. HomeGovernment  |   About ADGPthis  |   Consumers & Divisionscommittee's  |   Annual Forumwide  |   Discussion Forumsrepresentation  |   Image Libraryincludes  |   Divisions Directoryhealth,  |   Document Librarywelfare,  |    Programs

© 2006 main all stakeholders in the area of education and perceived gaps in service delivery. The Division has a Youth Co-ordinating Committee which will liaise with other GPs and service providers during the development of the program. The Board's contracted external evaluation consultancy will also assist in shaping future strategy.

Other Projects

• Needs Assessment
• Drinkcheck Project
• Community Liaison Officer project
• Integration of nutrition services and education
• Gold Coast Cardiac Rehabilitation Project
• Development of a Psychiatric Shared Care
• Consultative palliative care 24 hour roster

CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Market Research and Implementation

Following a detailed analysis of market research in 1998 and the degree to which patients needs are matched by medical services available, three target groups of patients were identified as "under-utilising" General Practice services.  These were; middle aged males, youth, with respect to accessing general practice and high volume users of both medical and alternative services. To address these groups and to enhance the overall profile of GPs on the Gold Coast, a plan has been developed to communicate positive messages regarding public health needs with the community.  This clearly needed to involve a public media presence, and the Division appointed a marketing consultancy to facilitate the program.

A plan was developed to encourage the three target groups to consult and identify with a GP.  Media possibilities were canvassed, and an opportunity to work closely with Channel Seven was presented.  This involves a 90 second segment during the Gold Coast News at 5.30pm every Tuesday, with simple, public health messages calling  individuals to action, often including seeing their GP.  A local GP was needed to "front" this each week, and 12 budding GP reporters attended a screen test as part of the selection process. A GP was selected and trained to represent the Division as the media "Face" for this project.  The brief was to avoid controversy, to present mainstream messages, and to boost the profile of all GPs on the Coast.

Several stories have been developed, and where possible, other GPs have been involved in the production and will appear on TV as part of this program. Commencing in July 1999 the segments have focused on Cardiac Health, Flu Vaccination, Family Doctor Week, and Acne. In addition to this weekly TV segment, press releases and in depth stories are developed for both radio and newspapers that will compliment the TV stories.  Again, other GPs are involved in these as much as possible, with the same target groups in mind, and the same aim of promoting General Practice.

Asthma

The Division's Asthma Program focuses on two main areas, GP and Community education. GP education includes Continuing Medical Education activities and the support of GPs undertaking the National Asthma Audit. The community aspect has been the establishment of a Schools Education Program by GPs.

GPs in Schools

The aim of this pilot program is to increase the knowledge of teachers and support staff about Asthma and its day to day management. The program benefits both the school and individual students by reducing absenteeism, increasing student participation in school activities and providing confidence in parents regarding the schools ability to cope with their children's Asthma. It is envisaged that the involvement of local GPs in presenting these workshop sessions will improve networking between schools and their local GPs.Eighteen primary schools are currently receiving education sessions. An education/training session was convened for fifteen GPs who will be presenting in the schools. This session was conducted by qualified trainers and

supported by a local paediatrician and the Gold Coast Hospital's Respiratory Resource Centre. A package has been developed that includes overheads, trainer notes, school and teacher information packs. The Division is supporting sixteen GPs undertaking the National Asthma Audit. Pre-audit commenced in July 1999, the workshop was held in November and the post audit is occuring mid-year 2000. Two Continuing Medical Education (CME)events were also planned for the year. TheBendigo and District Division of General Practice first held in sfHover = function() { var sfEls = document.getElementById("nav").getElementsByTagName("LI"); for (var i=0; i < emergency focus,Bendigo and District Division of General Practice this sessionPrograms and Projects was   attended by A concise survey Homeand> Divisions Directorya >  Bendigo and District Division of General Practiceprocess > Bendigo and District Division of General Practice of Bendigo and District Division of General Practiceenhancing GP input will be developedName Bendigo and District Division of General Practice prior to the distribution of Division Numberthe 326handbook.

Other Programs

Classification

• PilotRural inclusionState healthVictoria care teamYear Established which1993 visits uponNumber of Member Practices discharge 35from a hospital
• Obstetrics Shared Care.
• Thorough compliance with agreed Clinical Postcodes CoveredGuidelines 3450, 3453, 3462, 3463, 3472, 3475, 3515, 3523, 3539, 3550, 3551,3555, 3556, 3557in Cardiac Populationand 98,664 (2001 Census)Diabetes care. Area Covered
• Grants Bendigo and surrounding districtsfor innovation.Mr Bruce Farnell
• A real-timeChair interactiveDr Ray Moore QA system with paediatricians with respect to select trace conditions in paediatrics.Physical Address: