ABSTRACT
Background: To encourage primary care practices to undertake continuous quality improvement, the Australian Government fund a Quality Improvement Practice Incentive Program (QI-PIP). In the context of cardiovascular disease (CVD), practices can use their data to provide high-quality patient care. The study aimed to evaluate the use of QI-PIP in primary care to improve management of CVD. Methods: In a sub-study of the QUality improvement for Effectiveness of care for people Living with heart disease (QUEL) cluster randomised controlled trial, 27 Australian primary care practices participated in a 12-month data-driven quality improvement (QI) program. In the end, practice team members were invited to complete a survey on their experience of claiming QI-PIP. Eligible practices could claim up to $12,500 per quarter as part of QI-PIP. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the responses and qualitative analysis explored barriers and enablers to using QI-PIP. Results: 20 practices completed the survey;total 38 QI-PIPs were claimed by 55% practices during the 12 months. The Average number of QI-PIP claimed was 3.45 (SD±1.57). 45% practices agreed that the availability of QI-PIP facilitated their participation in QI activities. Qualitative analysis identified several enablers including, QI-PIP motivated the practices to support research, proactively monitor chronic disease management, helped to identify and meet KPIs. Barriers were time constraints and COVID-19 Pandemic. Conclusion: Approximately, one-third of practices participating in QUEL claimed the QI-PIP. More research is needed to assist the practices to best utilise the incentive program and overcome the barriers to its implementation in managing CVD.
ABSTRACT
Background: The number of young people with mental health (MH) problems presenting in general practice and the prescribing of psychotropic medicines, particularly antidepressants have been steadily increasing over the last decade. This trend has accelerated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To identify key issues relating to management of psychological distress, depression and anxiety disorders in people aged between 16 and 24 years. Mapping issues to behavioural change techniques and appropriate interventions to form an education programme for health professionals and young people. Methods: Desktop research, environmental scanning and interviews with consumers, health professionals, stakeholder organisations and experts in youth MH were conducted to identify issues and education themes. Interventions were informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (Cane et al., 2012;Michie S et al., 2005) and Behaviour Change Techniques (Michie et al., 2008, 2013). Feasibility, relevance and acceptability of interventions were reviewed by health professionals, young people and other stakeholders alongside the programme scope, focus and key messages. Findings: Education themes identified for the programme include communication to empower young people to manage their MH, comprehensive assessment for young people in distress, engagement of health professionals and young people in consideration of management options, and careful review of treatment effects over time. Interventions selected include educational outreach in general practices, general practice data feedback, online articles, videos, podcasts and webinars. Conclusion: The proposed programme focuses on building young peoples' health literacy and general practitioners' knowledge, skills and confidence. It will aim to improve young peoples' experience of MH care, connections with health professionals and engagement with treatment options.