Responding to online reviews
Online reviews are the new ‘word of mouth’ for recommending goods and services, including health services.
To assist members in responding to online reviews about individual GPs and general practice organisations, the RACGP is pleased to introduce a new resource, Factsheet: Responding to online reviews.
The factsheet provides information about when and how to respond to online consumer reviews, useful information about dealing with negative and positive reviews, and relevant legislation regarding the use of reviews for advertising and marketing.
Visit the RACGP website to download the factsheet.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week: 12 – 18 November
World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) plays an important role in informing Australians about the correct use of antibiotics and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed a range of materials for health professionals to share with patients and in practices to increase awareness of best practice for antibiotics.
Visit the WHO website to download resources for your practice and to share with patients.
RACGP Technology Survey
The fourth annual RACGP Technology Survey is designed to gain insight and opinions on the use of technology in Australian general practice. GPs and general practice registrars currently practising in Australia are invited to have their say and contribute.
This survey closes on Friday 30 November and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Visit the RACGP website to complete the survey.
Changes to National Diabetes Services Scheme Product Schedule
From 1 December, there will be some changes to the blood glucose test strips and syringe products that can be accessed through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Most products on the NDSS Product Schedule will remain the same and the majority of NDSS users will not be affected. However, some products will be removed and new products will be added.
Patients registered with the NDSS will still be able to access subsidised blood glucose test strips and insulin syringes, but some of the brands currently available on the NDSS will change. If a patient’s usual brand of product is no longer subsidised through the NDSS, they will be able to select from a range of alternatives.
Based on clinical advice, 13 mm and 12.7 mm syringes will no longer be available under the NDSS, while 8 mm and 6 mm syringes will continue to be subsidised.
A number of different brands of blood glucose test strips will not be subsidised under the NDSS. If a person registered on the NDSS needs to change their brand of blood glucose test strips, they will be eligible to receive a free blood glucose meter associated with their preferred new brand.
Visit the NDSS website or call the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588 for further information about the changes to the NDSS Product Schedule.
In Practice poll results – Wound management in general practice
With the appropriate supports, wound care can be effectively and efficiently managed in the general practice setting. However, some general practices have identified a range of barriers that limit their ability to provide patients with wound management services. As a result, patients might be re-directed to more costly emergency departments and hospitals for care.
The RACGP polled members on the barriers that limit their practice’s ability to provide wound management services. Respondents identified a number of barriers, the most prominent being:
- equipment and system costs, which includes expenses related to wound management consumables and equipment (eg dressings) and implementation of infection control requirements (31% of responses)
- remuneration for service provision, which includes inadequate remuneration for the time required for appropriate practice staff (eg practice nurse) to provide wound management services (27% of responses).
Other barriers identified included a lack of access to evidence-based training (13%) and skill development (16%) for wound management. Less significant, but still reported as barriers, were staff resourcing (2%) and insufficient capacity for safe and secure stock handling (4%).
Thank you to all respondents for taking time to provide feedback, which will help to inform our continued advocacy regarding wound management in general practice and general practice business sustainability.