Supporting residential and aged care patients in
Western Australia 

Supporting residential and aged care patients in
Western Australia 
The RACGP > Faculties > RACGP Western Australia > Supporting residential and aged care patients in Western Australia

Toolkit for GPs working in RACFs

The tools and resources on this website aim to help GPs support and improve the care of patients in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Western Australia.

The online toolkit is designed to provide local GPs working in aged care with relevant and practical information and resources on a range of clinical topics, listed below.

The toolkit includes nine online modules with downloadable resources and links to various tools, referral pathways and specialist services, and importantly, provides guidance for GPs to navigate Medicare Benefits Schedule item numbers for different consults. You can complete all nine modules or select the modules that are relevant to you.

Module 1: Introduction to GPs working in RACFs

  • Defining palliative care and end of life
  • Who needs palliative care?
  • The palliative care needs of Aboriginal People in WA
  • Palliative care in general practice
  • Necessity of palliative care approach

View module 1 

Module 2: Palliative and end of life care

  • General principles
  • Clinical context
  • Palliative care
  • GPs' role at the end of life
  • Resources

View module 2 

Module 3: In practice

  • Anticipating patient needs
  • Advance care planning
  • Person-centered care
  • People from diverse backgrounds
  • Clinical care plans
  • Symptom control
  • Medication management in palliative care
  • Bereavement support

View module 3 

Module 4: Medicare

  • Consults
  • Home visits
  • Care plans
  • Comprehensive medical assessment
  • Case conferences
  • Residential medication management review
  • After-hours attendances
  • PIP incentive for Aged Care

View module 4 

Module 5: Engaging with RACFs

  • The residential aged care facility
  • Medical records in aged care
  • After hours services in RACF
  • The care team

View module 5 

Module 6: Professional development

  • RACGP online modules
  • RACGP webinars
  • Other education resources

View module 6 

Module 7: Clinical tools

  • Needs assessment tool for progressive disease (NAT:PD)
  • Holistic patient assessment
  • The Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Scale (AKPS)
  • ECOG Performance Status Scale
  • The GSF Prognostic Indicator Guidance

View module 7 

Module 8: Guidelines and resources

View module 8 

Module 9: Referral pathways to specialist palliative care

  • The role of specialist palliative care services
  • Appropriate services available

View module 9 

At the end of each module, you can self-record the CPD hours using the quick-log option. If you spend additional time reading resources or reflecting on your practice, you can self-record any additional activities.

Self record via Quick Log

  record cpd 

Links to other important resources

RACGP aged care clinical guide
 

More 

Aged care CPD resources
 

More 

On-demand webinars
 

More 

NewsGP
 

More 

Enquiries

For all enquires please use the email address below

wa.RACFproject@racgp.org.au

Acknowledgements, Supporters and Partners

The RACGP WA GPs in Residential Aged Care Facilities toolkit was funded by the WA Department of Health.