Multi-disciplinary teams are fundamental to primary health care and have been shown to improve health outcomes, particularly for those with chronic disease.

With an understanding of general practice, allied health professionals will be far better placed to:

• Form relationships with general practices
• Respond to the needs of practices
• Respond to the needs of patients
• Develop, implement and build on referral pathways
• Assist practices in the uptake of national or local initiatives
• Build capacity within general practice to better manage patients with chronic disease
• Develop business models

About General Practice

General Practice is a key component of primary health care in Australia and cannot operate in isolation from other parts of our health care system. The operations within general practices vary immensely, however core team members in each practice include GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and administration staff.

A GP workforce shortage creates a high pressured environment for practices to meet patient demands. Whilst initiatives draw upon overseas trained GPs to practice in Australia and the Illawarra, an international shortage of doctors is still apparent. Efforts to develop the local GP workforce are paramount to the IDGP and provide a framework for our practice support services.

This atmosphere of workforce pressure creates a slow momentum of change within the general practice setting. Practice staff and GPs find it hard to cope with the complex and rapidly changing primary health care system and thus efficient practice systems are vital for effective management and patient care.

The time taken to recognize the need for change, devise solutions and implement strategies can be a long and complicated process. Barriers to change in general practice include:

• An over-worked workforce
• Poor human resource systems
• Lack of time and knowledge to implement systems
• Poorly identified practice champions

The continuing escalation of chronic disease is one area where allied health providers can help reduce the burden on GPs. Team based care provides a clinical mix cooperative to the management of patients with complex and chronic conditions.

What can you do?

• Recognise and respect the variety of practice styles
• Understand the difficulties and demands practices face
• Be systematic in engaging in multidisciplinary care
• Streamline referral processes
• Focus on prevention and early intervention
• Fulfill professional requirements as required by your allied health professional body.

Advertising/Promotion Tips

• When promoting services to general practices, please be mindful to keep information short, sharp and concise
• Clearly define referral pathways
• Include patient costs
• Approach the Practice Manager for advice on how to best inform the practice about your services

Allied Health Professions

Allied Health Professions and their Professional Organisations

Allied Health Professionals Australia