I guess this means that Divisions will no longer need to have any interest in information management and population health. You will need a new job Greg.
Regards John Johnston BSc DipSci AIMM Managing Director 0408 276 742 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Greg Twyford Sent: Monday, 9 July 2007 10:30 AM To: GPCG_TALK at OzDocIT Subject: [GPCG_TALK] BEACH thinks computers don't help GP quality Colleagues, This from recent PHCRIS conference: <http://www.phcris.org.au> GP & PHC Research Conference Abstracts 2007 Effect of computerisation on quality of general practice care-a comparison with quality indicators Author(s) Joan Henderson <http://www.phcris.org.au/elib/browse.php?search=Joan+Henderson>, Graeme Miller <http://www.phcris.org.au/elib/browse.php?search=+Graeme+Miller>, Helena Britt <http://www.phcris.org.au/elib/browse.php?search=+Helena+Britt>, Ying Pan <http://www.phcris.org.au/elib/browse.php?search=+Ying+Pan> Organisation Family Medicine Research Centre, University of Sydney Objectives There is an assumption expressed in literature that computer use for clinical activity will improve quality of general practice care, but with little evidence to support or refute this assumption. This study compares GPs using a computer to prescribe, order tests, or keep patient records, with GPs who do not, using a set of validated quality indicators. Methods BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) is a continuous national cross-sectional survey of general practice activity in Australia. A sub-sample of 1257 BEACH participants between November 2003 and March 2005 were grouped according to their computer use for: test ordering, prescribing, and/or medical records. Linear regression analysis was used to compare the two groups on a set of 33 quality indicators. Principal Findings The univariate analysis showed that computerised GPs managed more problems; provided fewer medications; ordered more pathology tests; performed more Pap smears; provided more immunisations; ordered more HbA1c tests and provided more referrals to ophthalmologists and allied health workers for diabetes patients; and provided less lifestyle counselling. After adjustment, the only differences that could be contributed solely to computer use were prescribed medication rates, lifestyle counselling and referrals to ophthalmologists. Two other differences emerged-computerised GPs provided more referrals for allied health workers for all patients, and fewer prescribed anti-depressants for patients with depression. Twenty-two measures failed to discriminate before or after adjustment. Discussion Deciding 'best quality' is subjective. While literature and guidelines provide clear parameters for many measures, others are difficult to judge. Only five differences were directly related to computer use-computerised GPs performed better on four measures and worse on one. Overall, there was little difference between the two groups. Implications This study has found little evidence to support the claim that computerisation of general practice in Australia has changed the quality of care provided to patients. Presentation Open document. <javascript: openDoc('/phplib/filedownload.php?file=/elib/lib/downloaded_files/confer ence/presentations/3700_JoanHende.pdf');> PDF 563.5 Kb Copyright (c) 2007 Primary Health Care Research and Information Service. Copyright & Disclaimer information <http://www.phcris.org.au/website/copyright_wd.php> <http://www.phcris.org.au/images/logo/minilogo.gif> www.phcris.org.au <http://www.phcris.org.au> Greg -- Greg Twyford Information Management & Technology Program Officer Canterbury Division of General Practice E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph.: 02 9787 9033 Fax: 02 9787 9200 PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL *********************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail and their attached files, including replies and forwarded copies, are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s) and may be legally privileged or prohibited from disclosure and unauthorised use. If you are not the intended recipient, any form of reproduction, dissemination, copying, disclosure, modification, distribution and/or publication or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon this message or its attachments is prohibited. All liability for viruses is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. *********************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk John Johnston Pen Computer Systems Pty Ltd Level 6, The Barrington 10-14 Smith Street Parramatta NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 9635 8955 Fax: (02) 9635 8966 5 _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
