Q1 How do I get my GPs to transfer data to report on Levels 3 and 4?
 
A1 It is not compulsory for GPs to transfer data in the next contract period (i.e. to 2008).  Divisions who wish to do this should work with their member GPs to develop the best method for their Division.  It is envisaged that data collection would be part of a program of support for general practices, e.g. diabetes data collection would occur as part of a program assisting general practice to provide diabetes care in line with clinical standards and guidelines. 

The Department will be working to assist Divisions through the implementation phase by promoting the experiences of Divisions (such as Illawarra and Macarthur) which are already collecting and reporting on the indicators and sharing their models and expertise across the Network.  The Department will also be looking at the systems Divisions currently have in place for data collection and whether existing data sources will be able to deliver some data to Divisions without requiring additional activity.  

In order to encourage Divisions to move from process-level indicators to intermediate health outcome indicators the Department will be working with the Review Implementation Committee to develop and implement a data strategy.  This will build on the range of initiatives already in place and make it easier for Divisions not currently undertaking programs with general practices to meet future data collection requirements. 
 
Q2 Will divisions be penalised for not 'measuring up' based on the GP data?
 
A2 With the exception of recording of smoking status for patients with asthma, the indicators that require GP data to be collected by the Division are not compulsory in 2005-2008 so Divisions will not be penalised for not 'measuring up'.  Over time, as the network expands its programs that support practices/GPs to provide optimal patient care, the transfer of information between Divisions and practices will become routine.  This will provide key stakeholders including consumers, GPs/practices and Divisions with important information that will help guide policy, planning and program delivery at local, regional and national levels.  Ultimately, this will mean better health outcomes for general practice patients and communities, which accords with the aims of Divisions and Government.
 
Q3 How will the information obtained from Divisions flow to a State and National level?
 
A3 The information being collected from Divisions will be collated, analysed and interpreted nationally.  The mechanism for this is still being considered and developed through RIC.  Feedback will be provided directly to Divisions, as well as to relevant state and national organisations.
 
Q4 Will Divisions be provided with local demographic and population health profile data ? Currently many Divisions pay for this data from ABS.
 
A4 The process for this is still being developed.  It is envisaged that all Divisions will be provided with a comprehensive package of population and health profile data through a free, web based mechanism.  The Department is funding the Population Health Information Development Unit to develop a package of information for use by Divisions in their needs-based planning.  Consultation on the information to be included in the package will occur after April.
 

Q5 How will the proposed Data Strategy help Divisions convince GPs of issues such as privacy, security and patient consent?
 
A5 The Data Strategy will be developed by the Department and the Review Implementation Committee and will address the needs of Divisions which are not already undertaking programs with general practices involving data collection.  The Strategy will build on the existing work of Divisions and other relevant groups, such as the General Practice Computing Group and CarDiab.  It will address the need for some Divisions to convince some of their member GPs of the benefits of providing data to the Division.  Information on privacy and security issues associated with data transfer and sharing will also be developed and distributed.
 
Q6 Will date be collected nationally or locally?
 
A6 Some of the indicator data Divisions will generate or collect themselves.  Other data are available from other sources and will be provided to the Division.  It will all be collated nationally and analysed and interpreted in a consistent way.  Results may inform local or national policies and programs. 

For example, national data on smoking behaviour among patients with asthma may be used to develop national strategies to support general practice to address smoking behaviour. However, local data on smoking behaviour may be important when developing Divisional programs, for example participating in local health promotion activities.
 
Q7 In relation to Medicare Australia data - what assurances do Divisions have that programs such as PIP/SIP will stay the same? Isn?t there a review process underway of these programs?
 
A7 The development of the performance indicators included consultation with all relevant program areas to ensure policy alignment and consistency with the indicators and other programs. Should any significant changes occur within program areas that impact on the performance indicators, the indicators would be appropriately reviewed.
 
Q8 How will data be presented in an aggregated form to the general public - For example will it be in a report format or a journal?
 
A8 The data collected from Divisions will be made publicly available in order to inform policy and planning at local, regional and national levels.  The form in which this data will be provided has not yet been determined.  This issue will be considered by the Department and the Review Implementation Committee in the context of the development of the Data Strategy.
 
Q9 How do Divisions manage electronic data in the next 12 months?
 
A9 None of KPIs that are compulsory for 2005-08 require electronic patient data transfer.   Therefore, Divisions are not required to collect data electronically from practices during this time.  The Data Strategy, currently being developed by the Department and the Review Implementation Committee, will address the needs of Divisions which are not already undertaking programs with general practices involving data collection.  The Department will be working to assist these Divisions through the implementation phase by promoting the experiences of Divisions (such as Illawarra and Macarthur) which are already collecting and reporting on the indicators and sharing their models and expertise across the Network.  The Department will also be looking at the systems Divisions currently have in place for data collection and whether existing data sources will be able to deliver some data to Divisions without requiring additional activity.  
 
Q10 Will there be an investment in IM/IT developmental funding for Divisions and general practices?
 
A10 The Data Strategy being developed by the Department and the Review Implementation Committee, will address the IM/IT needs of Divisions and general practice and identify areas of specific need, synergies with existing data sources and gaps in current data collection.
 
Q11 Do we need to do the standard data item collections as well as report in the new National Quality and Performance System.
 
A11 MAHS and WSRGP Standard Data Items (SDIs) will be collected through the Annual Survey of Divisions in 2005 and then integrated in the new planning and reporting pro forma along with the ASD for the Annual Report 2005-2006. ACGP Panels SDIs will be collected with the OBF Template Reports in 2005 and then integrated in the new pro forma subsequently.
 
Q12 Recording Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data can be difficult. It is often captured at reception.  Can Divisions just use census data?
 
A12 Census data are not appropriate for this purpose, because the Level Four indicators require Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander origin to be linked to patient outcomes.    Routine recording of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander origin in primary health care is a national health information priority and the data collected as part of the new National Quality and Performance System will help Divisions and practices/GPs to identify and address the specific primary health care needs of Indigenous Australians.  The Department is developing a guide to assist Divisions to work with general practice to appropriately collect this information.
 
Q13 Most Divisions survey their GP's practices only once a year and therefore reporting at six monthly on some of the GP?s practice data will not be possible. Can this indicator be amended to require reporting only once per annum?
 
A13 The reporting requirements for all indicators have been reviewed as a result of feedback from the Divisions network.  Reducing reporting requirements was considered appropriate where it was possible reduce any reporting burden on GPs or where the nature of the indicator meant a 6 month report would not be meaningful.  This review has resulted in the 6 month report requirement being removed for indicators N_RES 1.3, N_RES 4.1, N_INT 1.2, N_INT 2.1, N_INT 2.2, N_DIA 1.3, N_MNH 1.3, N_ASM 1.3,2.2. 
 
Q14 Will Divisions have access to the PIP/SIP data that already exists in order to report on the KPIs - And will this be timely?
 
A14 Yes, DoHA is working with Medicare Australia to ensure this data can be made available to Divisions in a timely way.  This issue will be addressed as part of the Data Strategy being developed by DoHA in consultation with the RIC. 

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