ADGP believes that the HMR facilitators based in the Divisions of General Practice will continue to be of enormous benefit to the community by providing a means for enhancing the collaborative relationship between General Practitioners (GP's) and Pharmacists with the aim of patients better managing their medicines. 

ADGP has developed a 'Train the Trainer' program delivered by GP's to provide training in HMR.  In May 2005 ADGP conducted the first of its 'GP Champion' Home Medicines Review training workshops in Canberra. This event brought together six computer literate GP Champions to be skilled as HMR trainers.

The objective of the workshop was to produce a learning package designed to be used by the GP Champions for HMR training in their own divisions and nearby regions - thus promoting the benefits of HMR and ensuring that it works for the Patient, GP and Pharmacist. 

A key advantage of this project is that GP's are being trained by their peers, who understand their interests and concerns and can communicate the value of HMR, from a general practice perspective.

The presentation can be enhanced and modified during the course by drawing on the experiences of the participating GP's.  Each presentation undertaken by these GP's will include a short video, which demonstrates the ease with which software can be used to electronically process referrals between Doctors and Pharmacists.

ADGP conducted further GP Champion training in July 2006 and as a result, now has 22 GP Champions skilled as HMR trainers.

 HMR Training Packages

The HMR training packages clearly defines how GP's, Patients and Pharmacists can work together under the HMR program. Each GP Champion holds with them a complete training kit. 

The GP Champion's training kit contains the following materials:

• Trainer PowerPoint Booklet - This manual is designed for the use of the GP during the workshop and contains the HMR procedure and training techniques
• PowerPoint CD Rom presentation outlining fully the HMR process - including a 45 second video demonstration of an electronic referral procedure (utilising a popular medical software program)  
• Cheat Sheets, i.e. 7 easy steps to HMR referral (using referral software) and a condensed version, 6 easy steps to the HMR plan.
• A listing of additional software programmes for HMR referrals
• A set of  'back up' overhead transparencies in the event of system failure or for use in remote areas.    

Additional resource materials for use by the Division include:

• Fliers, highlighting reasons for GPs to do HMRs, and Tip-offs and Triggers (detecting potential medication errors in the home and detecting prime candidates for HMR)  
• Pamphlets from The Pharmacy Guild of Australia covering, the need for HMR's and the HMR process. In addition to these there are, patient case studies and specific HMR feedback from General Practitioners, Consumers and Pharmacists (your GP Champion holds this information in electronic format)  

Divisions interested in holding a one-hour HMR session in their region are invited to contact Neil Wildman on (02) 6228 0812 or by email   nwildman@agpn.com.au

Angie will be happy to put you in touch with our GP Champions.

Costs to Divisions

At this point in time the costs of the one-hour training program covering the GP's travel and accommodation expenses will not be incurred by the hosting divisions of ADGP. These costs will be organised and covered by ADGP

ADGP, in collaboration with The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the GP Champions, look forward to promoting and developing this worthwhile initiative.

We trust that many GP's, Pharmacists and Health Care Teams will embrace this training opportunity and thereby provide the community with a greater understanding of the importance of carefully managing their prescription medicines.

For more information, please contact Neil Wildman on (02) 6228 0812 or email nwildman@agpn.com.au