• GPGC as one of its 8 strategic directions - “Enhance practice capacity to coordinate services for prevention, risk factor management and chronic disease management”
• AGPN as identified in its Primary Care Policy position statement
• DoHA introducing various Medicare Items and templates focusing on prevention and health assessments

GPGC believes the emphasis on preventing chronic disease in General Practice will increase over time as the burden of chronic disease increases and with increased recognition that it is best to stop disease symptoms from developing in the first place or, in the very least, from progressing. GPs and practice nurses are well placed to identify chronic disease risk factors in their patients and to introduce early interventions around lifestyle modification to reduce a patient's risk profile. GPGC has engaged in a number of activities to support practices in running prevention activities including a Lifescripts collaborative, a trial of eLifescripts software and a Prevention Collaborative.

Screening tools

Currently there are 2 screening tools available to use to screen for various  conditions including diabetes RTF version for download) and coronary heart disease. (See further information below relating to these links.)

Diabetes-the AUSDRISK template can be saved into your letterwritter section of your clinical program. Click here for instructions.

Coronary Heart Disease-click on the link and save into your Internet Favourites for use with your patients during consultation.

Resources:

• Business Model for Prevention
• Lifestle Modification program and pathways for patients at high risk of diabetes