CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Communication and Professional Development
The focus of the Communication and Professional Development Program Area is to increase the effectiveness of the Division via enhanced profile and member relations. Central to this program is the maintenance of the Division's style and approach to dealing with members based on the values of inclusion, collegiality and participation. A focus of this program is the Division's role in organising CME and education activities that meet both the needs of members and the community. The Division's newsletter and its Meetings Program are the most important communication channels. A Divisional website provides opportunities for broader reach as well as enhancing other aspects of the Division's operation. The Program area also provides opportunity for members to enhance their professional development through a range of activities including teaching and research as well as participation in non-clinical learning activities.

The aims of the program are:

• Improved communication between GPs and the Division
• GPs expressed communication needs are met
• Educational opportunities are provided for GPs
• GPs participate in GP teaching
• GP research opportunities are provided
• An effective Program infrastructure is provided

The Division prides itself in keeping local GPs up to date with current general practice and Divisional activities.

Other accomplishments include a well utilised education program, and a relevant and well read monthly newsletter. Services provided by the Division include, regular meetings, regular newsletters, good exchange of information, and Divisional representation on many local planning and policy development committees. Daily telephone notification of admissions, discharges and deaths are provided to local GPs. A local resource directory is also provided.

The main barriers to the success of the program are the differences between smaller GP practices and the larger medical center practice. Our more active members tend to be from the smaller more independent practices. This may be a barrier to providing support and services to all GPs in the area.

Patient Care Program
The Patient Care Program Area provides useful support, development opportunities and projects aimed at enhancing clinical practice in the area. The program provides for the continuation of the Division's shared care projects and provides a framework for the addition of new clinical projects. This program also strives to deliver improved hospital and other health services to GP communications in conjunction with the other two program areas.

Objectives and aims of the program are:

• Continuation of current shared antenatal care initiatives
• Integration initiatives developed and maintained
• Immunisation rates increased according to ACIR
• Opportunities provided for the development of further patient health activities
• An effective program infrastructure

Achievements of the program include; immunisation rates slowly increasing in the area, clinical projects and activities that appeal to many of the Division's members, and Royal North Shore Hospital working with the Division in credentialling GPs for shared antenatal care.

Services provided by the Division include a shared antenatal care service with a qualified midwife to support local GPs, and practice visits and assistance for local GP practices in immunisation record keeping.

Barriers have been that the time constraints of local GPs often restricts their ability to participate in Divisional project activities.

GP Business Development and Information Management/ Information Technology
The GP Business Support and Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) Program Area provides practical support, development opportunities, projects and resources to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of members' practices. Central to this program is the continuation of the popular IM/IT project that provides a full range of IM/IT activities and support. Another focus of the program is the facilitation of electronic data transferal between GPs and other health providers, and accreditation and amalgamation support for members. The Division continues to monitor and explore other related activities.

Objectives and aims of the programs include:

• Increased use of IM/IT for clinical and administrative purposes
• Electronic data communicated/transferred between GPs and other health providers
• Efficient computer system maintained in the Division
• Opportunities provided for member discussion of developing general practice business and exploring new GP business models
• The development of a GP register for holidays and after hours service for members
• Member needs for accreditation, amalgamation and PIP support met
• An effective Program infrastructure

As a result of the program there has been an increase in the level of GP computerisation as well as an increase in the level of computer literacy among local GPs. Other achievements of the program are an excellent internal computer system for the Division and an evolving database of members. There is an increase in practice registrations for accreditation as well as an increase in practices gaining full accreditation. There is also a liaison service for those interested in practice amalgamation, and the sharing of information between the Area, hospitals and GPs.

The Division provides a computer training program for GPs and practice staff. There is now complete computer loan program, a Divisional website, IT, accreditation and amalgamation support for local GPs and practice staff, and a GP presence on the area intranet.

The growth in IM/IT activity is huge and the Division must constantly prioritise where to place its resources.

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