GPs benefit from joint consultations - 6minutes

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GPs have been “unequivocal” in their praise of a new model of care for management of chronic disease that allows them to hold consultations jointly with specialists.

The novel approach tested by researchers at the University of Queensland, allowed GPs to attend a 30 minute session with their patient and a specialist at a Physician in Practice Clinic overseen by the Toowoomba Division of General Practice.

During the session the specialist offered an opinion and a management plan was developed with the patient so the GP could provide continued care with input from the specialist.

A total of 15 GPs, including 12 rural doctors in the Toowoomba area, tried the approach and all praised the “substantial educational benefits” it offered, researchers report in the journal Rural and Remote Health.

Rural doctors, known to suffer from professional isolation, said the interactive learning was key, and reported immediate benefit from the clinics, researcher said, whereas regional doctors said it increased their confidence in clinical practice in the long term.

All acquired new knowledge, which they could put to use right away or recall in long-term clinical treatment and they said their confidence improved. They also formed better relationships with the specialist researchers said, resulting in fewer referrals.

“From the GPs perspective, the goal of creating better educated and more confident GPs in endocrinology in this rural/regional setting was achieved,” the researchers concluded.

“Therefore this easily replicated and novel approach to specialist outreach has the potential to improve health outcomes in chronic disease in rural communities.”

GPs have been “unequivocal” in their praise of a new model of care for management of chronic disease that allows them to hold consultations jointly with specialists.

The novel approach tested by researchers at the University of Queensland, allowed GPs to attend a 30 minute session with their patient and a specialist at a Physician in Practice Clinic overseen by the Toowoomba Division of General Practice.

During the session the specialist offered an opinion and a management plan was developed with the patient so the GP could provide continued care with input from the specialist.

A total of 15 GPs, including 12 rural doctors in the Toowoomba area, tried the approach and all praised the “substantial educational benefits” it offered, researchers report in...