1. Notification of patient details
The first step is for the system to make a notification that a patient's information exists.
GPs register new patients on the program using a link from their clinical software. This creates an electronic record on the program database and generates an alert to the diabetes program officer. (Patients also sign a consent form). TAADIS has the capacity to generate a electronic referrals to other health care providers.
The Division is involved in two collaborative projects which utilize information technology to enhance identification of at-risk patient groups.
BSL Screening
A joint initiative between the Division and Southern IML Pathology assists GPs to increase the rate of diabetes screening of patients aged 55 years and over (a high risk group).
The pathology provider notifies GPs of patients eligible for 3-yearly recall for fasting blood sugar (BSL) testing. Where a normal test result is obtained subsequent recalls for fasting BSL will be sent to patients every 3 years. Yearly recalls will be issued where pre-diabetes (ie impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) is diagnosed.
The CAST (Computer Assisted Survey Technology) Project
This project involved the Division, the Centre for Excellence for Functional Foods at the University of Wollongong and Xyris software in a trial of computer assisted dietary assessment. Patients with metabolic syndrome who were identified during GP consultations used a computer at the practice (or their home computer) to record their dietary history on the DietAdvice (CAST) website.
The program transferred this information to the project database held at the Division and notified the project Dietitian, based at the University of Wollongong. The Dietitian undertook a dietary analysis and an individualised prescription was provided for patients at their next consultation a fortnight later.
The 12 month pilot testing was completed in November 2005. 14 practices were involved and 224 patients used the system. Approximately 73% of patients were overweight or obese and ranged in age from 19 to 79 years of age. The study found patients with a higher BMI and those who were younger preferred to use the website in the privacy of their own home, whilst older patients preferred to use the website in the surgeries. The dietary intakes reported by the patients appeared to be more accurate, possibly due to the decreased social desirability bias, than would be present in a face-to-face interview. Feedback from selected GPs, dietitians and patients found the website to be effective in the primary healthcare setting.
Suggestions and recommendations provided throughout the study will be used to further the development of the website. If you would like to be involved in future research with the website please contact Yasmine Probst at the University of Wollongong (02) 4221 5302 or email yasmine@uow.edu.au.
