Audit of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Victoria

This project educated physicians about evidence-based guidelines and develop an audit of community-acquired pneumonia in Victoria.

Twenty-eight rural based physicians across fourteen rural hospitals participated in project activities. A training module of best practice guidelines and audit practices was developed and presented to rural physicians via videoconferencing. Training and educational sessions have been run by lead clinicians in rural hospitals and have involved physicians, VMO’s and HMO’s. The state-wide audit of community acquired pneumonia was conducted in 11 major regional centres across Victoria.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Grant Phelps

Supporting and Enhancing Procedural Skills for Rural Specialists

This project introduced a sustainable program to have specialists available to advise and supervise staff doctors in Katherine, 4 interstate specialists (Surgery, Anaesthetics, Obstetrics and Plastic Surgery) visited two remote area hospitals (Gove and Katherine). The visiting specialists conducted lectures and tutorials as well as observed procedures undertaken by the Hospital Medical Officer's (HMO). Surveys were distributed following the visits, to measure perceptions of the HMO's regarding improved knowledge and job satisfaction as a result of the visiting Specialist training.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Alicia Eaton

Remote Paediatric Journal Club

The project consisted of ongoing monthly sessions, commencing in late July 2003, and completing during December. During this time 5 sessions were held, and each session was approximately 1½ hours in duration. The sessions involved discussion and review of relevant journal articles, discussion of complex cases and professional issues relevant to remote paediatric practice. The project was targeted at five Specialists and 2 Advanced Paediatric Trainees, and everyone targeted participated. Paediatricians were informed about the journal club and invited to attend.

The primary objective of the project was to provide improved access to continuous professional development for rural Paediatricians in rural South Australia and far West New South Wales. It was anticipated that this would enable a perceived increase in access to peer support and Continuing Professional Development Points, and improved familiarity and satisfaction with videoconference facilities. The objectives of the study would be further achieved by demonstrating that the topics discussed would be considered relevant and applicable by the participating paediatricians.

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Recent Advances in Pathology: Continuous Professional Development for Rural Specialists

Rural pathologists were given the opportunity to improve their diagnostic skills and develop support networks by participating in the seminar series ‘Recent advances in pathology’ conducted by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. The lecture series is available on CD Rom.

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Clinical Practice Improvement and Evidence Based Practice Education for Rural Specialists

Rural specialists participated in workshop assist in implementing practice improvement strategies and identifying and using tools to improve clinical practice.

The project involved a one-day workshop that was presented at six different rural or remote locations across Australia within a 6-month period to a total of 86 specialists.

The main objective of the project was to improve participants’ knowledge of clinical practice improvement (CPI) and evidence based practice (EBP). The second objective was to increase the frequency of practice based audits and clinical practice improvement projects being conducted by participants.

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Continuing Education and Practice Development Program for Rural and Remote Rehabilitation Physicians

Twenty three Rehabilitation physicians from across Australia participated in several CPD activities developed for this project.

The CPD activities included: clinical skills development workshops (Managing Teams), practice audit and peer review, educational supervision workshops (Adult Learning Principles, Musculoskeletal Medicine), lecture series videos, teleconferencing of journal clubs and case presentations.

The project was implemented to allow rural and remote rehabilitation physicians to have improved access to peer reviewed audits, physician educator workshops, the Faculty’s MOPS activities and to improve clinical practice. The project components were:
• Physician Educator Training Workshops
• Management and clinical skills development workshops
• Practice audit and peer review
• Teleconferences of journal clubs and case presentations
• Lecture series videos (of metropolitan educational sessions)

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

Clinical Audit and Peer Review Program

This project has been successful in educating rural and regional surgeons and ophthalmologists in the principles of audit and peer review. The momentum exhibited by both the surgical and ophthalmic fraternity is encouraging and the continued into 2004.

Results from the evaluation indicated that participants were satisfied with the quality and the content of the workshop. Similarly, there was evidence that participants’ knowledge with regard to audit and peer review has been enhanced as a result of this project. The workshops attracted over 60 participants and the ‘help-desk’ service provided by the RACS fielded over 100 queries. Successful peer review meetings were held in a number of centres, including the 2003 PSA Conference.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Alicia Eaton

Reducing the Professional Isolation of Rural Dermatologists

This project allowed rural dermatologists to participate in case reviews and discussions and presentations using videoconference, teleconference and web based technologies.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Claudia Casson

Management Techniques to Simplify Your Work

Rural clinicians involved in management took part in internet based learning modules and master classes. Topics included leadership, human resource management and managing effective teams.

The face to face courses were attended by 15 specialists and 18 other health professionals.

Knowledge was assessed pre and post workshop and a 400% increase in knowledge was noted. All participants had engaged in reflective learning and made changes in their workplace by the follow up day.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Dr Lee Gruner

Enhancing Professional Skills of Rural Physicians Using Telemedicine

Physicians in Victoria and Queensland participated in several education workshops via videoconference. Topics covered included; Problems in the Elderly, Medicine in the Elderly, Update in Infectious Diseases, What’s Hot in Cardiology, Respiratory and Renal Medicine, What’s Hot in Haematology, Oncology & Gastroenterology.

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Tutorial Supported Refresher Program for Rural Psychiatrists

Rural psychiatrists participated in distance learning modules with support by specialist tutors.

CD-ROMs used for the Project were developed by the NSW Institute of Psychiatry (NSW IOP) which offers a number of CD-ROM learning modules in both clinical and academic areas of psychiatry.
The NSW IOP has skilled tutors available for each module. There are currently 22 modules available for study, many of which articulate to a Masters program at the IOP.

Target audience:

For more information, contact The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Teleconferencing of RANZCR Monthly Scientific Meetings to Rural Radiologists

Rural radiologists took part in monthly Victorian scientific meetings via videoconference.
The focus of these sessions was on latest clinical techniques & innovations in Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology. A range of presentations were provided by Radiologists from two major hospital networks, as shown in the attached videotaped examples. During the 2003 period all participating sites also received a CD-Rom & videotape enabling them to archive & review content from the Victorian Branch’s meetings. An additional videotape made of presentations at the final Monthly Scientific Meeting for 2003 is to be circulated early in 2004 to all sites & will also be sent to new enquirers to give them a sense of how the sessions work.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Pamela Taylor

Peer Review Network for Rural Public Health Physicians

This project developed a peer review network to increase rural specialist quality improvement skills and practices. The network supported specialists implementing practice improvement tools such as clinical audit.

Target audience:

For more information, contact Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine