Can online education for general practitioners (GPs) reshape the way healthcare professionals prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests?
Research from the CHIME GP project that Medcast conducted for the Australian Digital Health Agency has been published in the BMJ Open Quality Journal by Prof Andrew Bonney et al from the University of Wollongong. The article is titled "Randomised Trial of General Practitioner Online Education for Prescribing and Test Ordering".
The Quest for Safer and More Efficient Healthcare
In an age where potentially inappropriate prescriptions and low-value diagnostic tests can pose risks to patient safety and inflate healthcare costs, the need for innovation in healthcare practice is more significant than ever. This article reports on the CHIME-GP project (Clinical and Healthcare Improvement through My Health Record Usage and Education in General Practice), which aimed to evaluate a scalable online quality improvement intervention for Australian GPs.
The Study Setup: Three Arms, One Goal
The research was designed as a parallel three-arm randomised trial, each focusing on a specific aspect of education: prescribing, pathology, and imaging. Australian GPs participated and were randomly assigned to one of these three arms. The primary goal was to assess the impact of online education on reducing potentially unnecessary medicine prescriptions and tests.
The Results: A Glimpse into the Findings
The results showed that, in the intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant differences in the rates of change in costs across the three arms. However, when looking at the per-protocol analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in the rate of change in pathology costs.
In the pathology arm, the rate of increase in pathology costs was significantly lower than in the prescribing arm, suggesting that online education had a positive impact in this area. The study's findings offer some promising insights into the potential benefits of online GP education.
Challenges Faced and Future Directions
Improving completion rates and providing real-time feedback on prescribing and test ordering are some suggested options for enhancing the overall effectiveness of such interventions. However, these results show that the online delivery of this education provides a positive pathway for potential upscaling, which could yield massive cost savings and better patient outcomes.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Education
In a world where technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, it's no surprise that it's also making waves in healthcare education. This study offers a glimpse into the potential of online GP education to shape a safer and more cost-effective future for healthcare. We are reminded of the power of innovation in improving patient outcomes and the efficiency of our healthcare systems.
Read the full article here: https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/12/4/e002351
- 31 October 2023
- by A/Prof Stephen Barnett
Get Medcast Plus
Become a member and get unlimited access to 100s of hours of premium education.
Learn More
Stephen is a GP Supervisor, Medical Educator, GP academic and Medical Director of Medcast. He has completed a PhD on Virtual Communities of Practice in GP Training.
The latest healthcare news from medcast
This blog explores the ALS Algorithm and looks at how Medcast are trialling an adaptation of the 2023 updated ANZCOR Adult Advanced Life Support flowchart. The aim is to test its useability as a cognitive aid in ALS training to reduce cognitive load,...
Heather (55 years) presents with chest pain, there are no clear aggravating or relieving factors reported. This clinical snapshot explores the presentation of undifferentiated chest pain in a GP clinic, emphasising the importance of a thorough histor...
Croup, a common childhood respiratory condition, can present unique challenges when it progresses to require intubation. This blog explores the intricacies of managing a child with croup who has a challenging airway, providing insights and strategies...
Isaac is a 2 year old child who has presented to the GP for the fourth time this month. His previous presentations have been for a sore throat and fever and more recently food refusal and complaints of a sore stomach. His mother is very concerned, an...
This podcast highlights the crucial role of PSA testing in diagnosing and treating prostate cancer, the most-diagnosed cancer among Australian males. Emphasising harm reduction, it discusses advancements since 2015 and supports active surveillance fo...
Explore the evolution of telehealth in Australia, from its rapid expansion to the recent permanence of telehealth items. Dr. Stephen Barnett and Loryn Einstein guide GPs through billing complexities, emphasising compliance and the need for ongoing ed...
Explore essential insights into waveform capnography for aiding the assessment of ventilation and perfusion and guiding appropriate clinical interventions to optimise patient outcomes. This blog summarises the key ways clinicians can interpret End-ti...
Explore online GP education's impact on prescriptions and testing. A randomised trial provides insights into enhancing healthcare safety and efficiency and while challenges exist, the study paves the way for improved patient outcomes.
This case study guides Australian clinicians in diagnosing a common women's health condition. It emphasises the importance of recognising symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, and hirsutism and following updated guidelines to improve patient ...
Health professionals play a crucial role in providing evidence-based advice on alcohol, pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Every Moment Matters campaign features a range of evidence briefs, resources and a free, accredited eLearning course for healt...
Long COVID presents unique challenges for patients with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma. This article delves into the overlapping symptoms, inflammation, treatment implications, rehabilitation needs, and mental health consideratio...
Join Medcast. Get instant access to essential healthcare news, research and more.
Already a member? Log In