Previous Research Projects
Computer BEACH
This study compared two means of data collection for BEACH: the paper-based method and an active computerised data collection method. Twenty-eight GPs who had done BEACH on paper took part in the study allowing direct comparison of the results of the two methods, without the influence of differences in the characteristics of two GP samples. This is the first time a study has tested the extent to which such a change in data collection method affects the data recorded. The aim was to assess whether computerised collection is acceptable to GP participants, whether it produces the same overall results as the paper based method, and the feasibility of this method of collection for future BEACH participants. The project has now been completed and the final report is available (below).Funding: the RACGP and the Western Sydney Division of General Practice.
Computer BEACH Final Report (681KB pdf) PreAPPP
Pre Alternative Pathways Practice Profile is a self audit for non-vocational registered GPs to begin the process of vocational registration.
Promptor FM
Promptor FM (Probabilistic Method for Test Ordering in Family Medicine) is a computerised prompting system for general practitioners who order pathology tests. It allows the physician to rapidly calculate the positive and negative predictive values of a specified pathology test based on the clinical index of suspicion. Promptor FM was developed by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
We started a randomised controlled trial of the effects of using the Promptor FM software on pathology test ordering. The project was not completed due difficulties outside of our control.Contact Dr Graeme Miller for more information.
Pathology ordering by general practitioners in Australia 1998
An investigation of the reasons for use of pathology services by general practitioners, the relationship of pathology ordering to undifferentiated and differentiated disease and the variance in ordering between GPs. The study was conducted as a consultancy to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. The methods rely on a secondary analysis of the first nine months of data collected by the BEACH project. The final report was submitted to DHAC in November 1999.
Britt H, Miller GC, McGeechan K, Sayer GP. 1999. Pathology ordering by general practitioners in Australia 1998. AIHW Cat. No. GEP 4 Canberra: Department of Health and Aged Care, (General Practice Series no. 4).
Link to Publication.Note: See this and other publications in the General Practice Series in the FMRC publications.
Contact Helena Britt for more information.
Management of upper gastric problems in the community
Data obtained from the Health Insurance Commission will be used to describe the management of patients with reflux disorders. These data contain information regarding the patterns of attendance at GPs and specialists, diagnostic investigations undertaken, and prescriptions filled at the pharmacy. The patients included in the study were identified through HIC records as likely to have had a reflux disorder. Access to HIC data required informed written patient consent.
The study is funded by Astra-Zeneca.Contact Helena Britt for more information.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
The Family Medicine Research Centre was contracted by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance to conduct research into the following areas:
Immunisation coverage rates
Evaluation of ACIR data quality
Development of maps of immunisation coverage across Australia
Analysis of factors associated with immunisation uptake
Evaluation of various immunisation-related initiatives
see the ACIR website for further details
The Incident Monitoring in General Practice Pilot Study, 1993-1995.
The first of its kind in Australian General Practice, this study collected GP reports of events where patients in their practice suffered potential or actual harm relating to their care. Incidents collected were analysed in detail, and contributing factors and possible solutions were identified. A series of publications on specific areas of concern can be found in the Australian Family Physician (1996-97).
A consultancy report into the most potentially harmful incidents (prepared for the Taskforce on Quality in Australian Health Care) identified recommendations for intervention.
Funding: The Professional Indemnity Review.
Publications:
Bhasale A, Norton K, Britt H. Tests and investigations. Indicators for better utilisation. Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25: 6; 680-694
Britt H, Miller GC, Steven ID, Howarth G, Nicholson PA, Bhasale A, Norton K. A method for monitoring incidents in general practice. Family Practice 1997 14, 2: 101-106
Bhasale A, Miller GC, Reid S, Britt H. Analysing potential harm in general practice: an incident monitoring study. Med J Aust 1998; 169: 73-76.
Bhasale A. The wrong diagnosis: identifying causes of potentially adverse events in general practice using incident monitoring. Family Practice 1998, 15: 308-318.
Miller G, Britt H, Steven I, Bhasale A, Reid S. Clinical incident monitoring. (Editorial) Aust Fam Physician 1996; 25; 6: 821
Reid S, Britt H, Miller G, Bhasale A. Clinical incidents in general practice: childhood immunisation (case report). Aust Fam Physician 1996; 25; 6: 919-920
Bhasale A, Miller G, Britt H, Reid S. Clinical incidents in general practice: Warfarin prescribing (case report). Aust Fam Physician, 1996; 25: 7; 1119-1120
Reid S, Britt H, Miller G, Bhasale A. Clinical Incidents in general practice: a difficult paediatric diagnosis (case report). Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25: 9, 1454-1456
Britt H, Reid S, Bhasale A, Miller G. Clinical incidents in general practice: prescription errors (case report). Aust Fam Physician, 1996; 25, 10, 1609-1610.
Reid S, Britt H, Miller G, Bhasale A. Clinical incidents in general practice: Breast cancer - could it have been diagnosed earlier? (case report) Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25:11:1752-1753.
Bhasale A, Miller G, Britt H, Reid S. Clinical Incidents in general practice: Keeping on track with test results (case report). Aust Fam Physician. 1996; 25:12:1861-1863
Bhasale A. Collecting data on potentially harmful events: evaluation of an incident monitoring technique in Australian general practice. Masters of Science in Medicine treatise. Department of General Practice, University of Sydney 1995Contact Helena Britt for more information.
Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders
A cross-sectional study of the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal problems in Australia, resulting in data from more than 10,000 upper GI patients. A semi-longitudinal view of the patients’ management pathway was included. For the first time we assessed the doctors’ confidence in the diagnostic label, the basis of diagnosis, the severity of the condition, past medication and present medication.
Funding: Astra Pharmaceuticals.Contact Helena Britt for more information.
Longitudinal Study of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
The study examined
- current diagnostic and management pathways for GORD in general practice
- the resulting outcomes of management for patients presenting with GORD
in order to develop management guidelines for the management of Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD). It was hoped to identify potential predictors of Proton Pump Inhibitor therapy from early presentations to the GP.
Funding: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.Contact Helena Britt for more information.
National Asthma Campaign Impact Study
The impact of the National Asthma Campaign: assessed the changes in the management of asthma in general practice since the National Asthma Campaign - a major health promotion and education strategy launched in 1990. This questionnaire survey was a five year follow-up evaluation of the impact of the campaign on the asthma management strategies of Australian general practitioners.Contact Helena Britt for more information.
