Healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions about LGBTIQA+ safety and responsiveness in a mainstream Australian health service: Qualitative findings.

OBJECTIVE: To explore experiences and perspectives of healthcare workers regarding LGBTIQA+ safety and responsiveness. METHODS: Thematic analysis of semi-structured, in-depth interviews, and pre-surveys to collect demographics and knowledge self-rating scales. RESULTS: Of 38 multidisciplinary healthcare staff, 44.7 % identified as LGBTIQA+ and 55.3 % as heterosexual and cisgender allies. Participants discussed experiences, noting strengths and gaps in affirming practice and organisational support, and training and education opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Health services need to prioritise LGBTIQA+ safety and responsiveness for staff, patients, carers and families. LGBTIQA+ healthcare staff report that they have had experiences of trauma, minority stress, discrimination, homophobia and/or transphobia, and look for visible safe spaces at work and see safer clinical care.

Leading primary care under the weight of COVID-19: how leadership was enacted in six australian general practices during 2020.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged health care delivery globally, providing unique challenges to primary care. Australia's primary healthcare system (primarily general practices) was integral to the response. COVID-19 tested the ability of primary health care to respond to the greater urgency and magnitude than previous pandemics. Early reflections highlighted the critical role of leaders in helping organisations negotiate the pandemic's consequences. This study explores how general practice leadership was enacted during 2020, highlighting how leadership attributes were implemented to support practice teams. METHODOLOGY: We performed secondary analysis on data from a participatory prospective qualitative case study involving six general practices in Melbourne, Victoria, between April 2020 and February 2021. The initial coding template based on Miller et al.'s relationship-centred model informed a reflexive thematic approach to data re-analysis, focused on leadership. Our interpretation was informed by Crabtree et al.'s leadership model. RESULTS: All practices realigned clinical and organisational routines in the early months of the pandemic - hierarchical leadership styles often allowing rapid early responses. Yet power imbalances and exclusive communication channels at times left practice members feeling isolated. Positive team morale and interdisciplinary teamwork influenced practices' ability to foster emergent leaders. However, emergence of leaders generally represented an inherent 'need' for authoritative figures in the crisis, rather than deliberate fostering of leadership. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of collaborative leadership during crises while highlighting areas for better preparedness. Promoting interdisciplinary communication and implementing formal leadership training in crisis management in the general practice setting is crucial for future pandemics.

Gender-inclusive practice in pregnancy determination for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary patients in medical imaging.

In recent years, there has been an increased awareness and understanding of the varying gender identities within our society. Consequently, there has also been a need for healthcare providers to be cognizant of the unique needs of a gender-diverse population. Determining the pregnancy status of transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary patients in medical imaging settings has been poorly handled, and there is a lack of standardisation in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand setting. The potential risk of exposing a gender-diverse pregnant patient to ionising radiation increases the need for guidance to ensure potentially pregnant persons are not missed during screening questionnaires. This review article explores various approaches to pregnancy status determination for gender-diverse patients, recognising the complexities involved and emphasising the need for future work to establish a widely accepted solution.

Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy for the Trans, Gender Diverse, and Nonbinary Community: Coordinating World Professional Association for Transgender Health and Informed Consent Models of Care.

Purpose: Before commencing gender-affirming hormone therapy, people undergo assessments through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) model (typically with a mental health clinician), or an informed consent (IC) model (without a formal mental health assessment). Despite growing demand, these remain poorly coordinated in Australia. We aimed to compare clients attending WPATH and IC services; compare binary and nonbinary clients; and characterize clients with psychiatric diagnoses or longer assessments. Methods: Cross-sectional audit of clients approved for gender-affirming treatment (March 2017-2019) at a specialist clinic (WPATH model, n=212) or a primary care clinic (IC model, n=265). Sociodemographic, mental health, and clinical data were collected from electronic records, and analyzed with pairwise comparisons and multivariable regression. Results: WPATH model clients had more psychiatric diagnoses (mean 1.4 vs. 1.1, p<0.001) and longer assessments for hormones (median 5 vs. 2 sessions, p<0.001) than IC model clients. More IC model clients than WPATH model clients were nonbinary (27% vs. 15%, p=0.016). Nonbinary clients had more psychiatric diagnoses (mean 1.7 vs. 1.1, p<0.001) and longer IC assessments (median 3 vs. 2 sessions, p<0.001) than binary clients. Total psychiatric diagnoses were associated with nonbinary identities (ß 0.7, p=0.001) and health care cards (ß 0.4, p=0.017); depression diagnoses were associated with regional/remote residence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.2, p=0.011); and anxiety disorders were associated with nonbinary identities (aOR 2.8, p=0.012) and inversely associated with employment (aOR 0.5, p=0.016). Conclusion: WPATH model clients are more likely to have binary identities, mental health diagnoses, and longer assessments than IC model clients. Better coordination is needed to ensure timely gender-affirming care.

At the edge of chaos: a prospective multiple case study in Australian general practices adapting to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid onset and progressive course of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged primary care practices to generate rapid solutions to unique circumstances, creating a natural experiment of effectiveness, resilience, financial stability and governance across primary care models. We aimed to characterise how practices in Melbourne, Australia modified clinical and organisational routines in response to the pandemic in 2020-2021 and identify factors that influenced these changes. DESIGN: Prospective, qualitative, participatory case study design using constant comparative data analysis, conducted between April 2020 and February 2021. Participant general practitioner (GP) investigators were involved in study design, recruitment of other participants, data collection and analysis. Data analysis included investigator diaries, structured practice observation, documents and interviews. SETTING: The cases were six Melbourne practices of varying size and organisational model. PARTICIPANTS: GP investigators approached potential participants. Practice healthcare workers were interviewed by social scientists on three occasions, and provided feedback on presentations of preliminary findings. RESULTS: We conducted 58 interviews with 26 practice healthcare workers including practice owners, practice managers, GPs, receptionists and nurses; and six interviews with GP investigators. Data saturation was achieved within each practice and across the sample. The pandemic generated changes to triage, clinical care, infection control and organisational routines, particularly around telehealth. While collaboration and trust increased within several practices, others fragmented, leaving staff isolated and demoralised. Financial and organisational stability, collaborative problem solving, creative leadership and communication (internally and within the broader healthcare sector) were major influences on practice ability to negotiate the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the complex influences on primary care practices, and reinforces the strengths of clinician participation in research design, conduct and analysis. Two implications are: telehealth, triage and infection management innovations are likely to continue; the existing payment system provides inadequate support to primary care in a global pandemic.

Organizational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia: A qualitative study across four healthcare settings.

Objective: Organizational responses that support healthcare workers (HCWs) and mitigate health risks are necessary to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to understand how HCWs and key personnel working in healthcare settings in Melbourne, Australia perceived their employing organizations' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: In this qualitative study, conducted May-July 2021 as part of the longitudinal Coronavirus in Victorian Healthcare and Aged Care Workers (COVIC-HA) study, we purposively sampled and interviewed HCWs and key personnel from healthcare organizations across hospital, ambulance, aged care and primary care (general practice) settings. We also examined HCWs' free-text responses to a question about organizational resources and/or supports from the COVIC-HA Study's baseline survey. We thematically analyzed data using an iterative process. Results: We analyzed data from interviews with 28 HCWs and 21 key personnel and free-text responses from 365 HCWs, yielding three major themes: navigating a changing and uncertain environment, maintaining service delivery during a pandemic, and meeting the safety and psychological needs of staff . HCWs valued organizational efforts to engage openly and honesty with staff, and proactive responses such as strategies to enhance workplace safety (e.g., personal protective equipment spotters). Suggestions for improvement identified in the themes included streamlined information processes, greater involvement of HCWs in decision-making, increased investment in staff wellbeing initiatives and sustainable approaches to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Conclusions: This study provides in-depth insights into the challenges and successes of organizational responses across four healthcare settings in the uncertain environment of a pandemic. Future efforts to mitigate the impact of acute stressors on HCWs should include a strong focus on bidirectional communication, effective and realistic strategies to strengthen and sustain the healthcare workforce, and greater investment in flexible and meaningful psychological support and wellbeing initiatives for HCWs.

How do general practices respond to a pandemic? Protocol for a prospective qualitative study of six Australian practices.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed healthcare systems worldwide. Primary care providers have been at the forefront of the pandemic response and have needed to rapidly adjust processes and routines around service delivery. The pandemic provides a unique opportunity to understand how general practices prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. We will follow a range of general practices to characterise the changes to, and factors influencing, modifications to clinical and organisational routines within Australian general practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a prospective case study of multiple general practices using a participatory approach for design, data collection and analysis. The study is informed by the sociological concept of routines and will be set in six general practices in Melbourne, Australia during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic. General practitioners associated with the Monash University Department of General Practice will act as investigators who will shape the project and contribute to the data collection and analysis. The data will include investigator diaries, an observation template and interviews with practice staff and investigators. Data will first be analysed by two external researchers using a constant comparative approach and then later refined at regular investigator meetings. Cross-case analysis will explain the implementation, uptake and sustainability of routine changes that followed the commencement of the pandemic. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was granted by Monash University (23950) Human Research Ethics Committees. Practice reports will be made available to all participating practices both during the data analysis process and at the end of the study. Further dissemination will occur via publications and presentations to practice staff and medical practitioners.

Qualitative understandings of access to primary care services for consumers who use methamphetamine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: General practice is the most common source of healthcare for people who use methamphetamine. The aim of this study was to explore primary care providers' understandings of access to and service utilisation by this group. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, practice nurses and alcohol and other drug service providers from two large towns in rural Victoria. RESULTS: Participants (n = 8) reported that availability (workforce shortages, time, complex clinician-client relationships), acceptability (stigma) and appropriateness of care (skill mix, referral networks, models of care) were associated with access to care for this population. Affordability of care was not perceived to be of concern. DISCUSSION: Availability of care is not enough to ensure utilisation and improved health outcomes among consumers who use methamphetamine. Provision of services to this group and to other substance-using populations requires the right 'skill mix' across and within healthcare organisations.

Preventive Evidence into Practice: what factors matter in a facilitation intervention to prevent vascular disease in family practice?

BACKGROUND: A perennial challenge of primary care quality improvement is to establish why interventions work in some circumstances, but not others. This study aimed to identify factors explaining variations in the impact on clinical practice of a facilitation led vascular health intervention in Australian family practice. METHODS: Our mixed methods study was embedded within a cluster randomised controlled trial of a facilitation intervention designed to increase the uptake of evidence-based prevention of vascular disease in family practices. The study was set in four Australian states using eight of the study's 16 intervention practices. Facilitators worked with intervention practices to develop and implement improvements in preventive care informed by a vascular risk factor audit. We constructed case studies of each practice's "intervention narrative" from semi-structured interviews with clinicians, facilitators and other staff, practice observation, and document analysis of facilitator diaries. The intervention narratives were combined with pre- and post-intervention audit data to generate typologies of practice responses to the intervention. RESULTS: We found substantial variability between practices in the changes made to vascular risk recording. Context (i.e. practice size), adaptive reserve (i.e. interpersonal relationships, manager and nurse involvement), and occasional data idiosyncrasies interacted to influence this variability. CONCLUSION: The findings emphasise the importance of tailoring facilitation interventions to practice size, clinician engagement and, critically, the organisation of, and relationships between, the members of the practice team. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTR N12612000578808 (29/5/2012). This trial registration is retrospective as our first patient returned their consent on the 21/5/2012. Patient recruitment was ongoing until 31/10/2012.

Context matters for primary health care access: a multi-method comparative study of contextual influences on health service access arrangements across models of primary health care.

BACKGROUND: Equitable access to primary health care (PHC) is an important component of integrated chronic disease management. Whilst context is known to influence access to PHC, it is poorly researched. The aim of this study was to determine the contextual influences associated with access arrangements in four Australian models of integrated PHC. METHODS: A multi-method comparative case study design. Purposive sampling identified four models of PHC across six sites in two Australian states. Complexity theory informed the choice of contextual factors that influenced access arrangements, which were analysed across five dimensions: availability and accommodation, affordability, acceptability, appropriateness and approachability. Semi-structured interviews, document/website analysis and non-participant observation were used to collect data from clinicians, administrative staff and other key stakeholders. Within and cross-case thematic analysis identified interactions between context and access across sites. RESULTS: Overall, financial viability, objectives of the PHC model and relationships with the local hospital network (LHN) underpinned access arrangements. Local supply of general practitioners and financial viability were strong influences on availability of after-hours services. Influences on affordability were difficult to determine because all models had nil/low out-of-pocket costs for general practitioner services. The biggest influence on acceptability was the goal/objectives of the PHC model. Appropriateness and to a lesser degree affordability arrangements were influenced by the relationship with the LHN. The provision of regular outreach services was strongly influenced by perceived population need, referral networks and model objectives. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide valuable insights for policy makers charged with improving access arrangements in PHC services. A financially sustainable service underpins attempts to improve access that meets the needs of the service population. Smaller services may lack infrastructure and capacity, suggesting there may be a minimum size for enhancing access. Access arrangements may be facilitated by aligning the objectives between PHC, LHN and other stakeholder models. While some access arrangements are relatively easy to modify, improving resource intensive (e.g. acceptability) access arrangements for vulnerable and/or chronic disease populations will require federal and state policy levers with input from primary health networks and LHNs.

An Australian general practice based strategy to improve chronic disease prevention, and its impact on patient reported outcomes: evaluation of the preventive evidence into practice cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Implementing evidence-based chronic disease prevention with a practice-wide population is challenging in primary care. METHODS: PEP Intervention practices received education, clinical audit and feedback and practice facilitation. Patients (40­69 years) without chronic disease from trial and control practices were invited to participate in baseline and 12 month follow up questionnaires. Patient-recalled receipt of GP services and referral, and the proportion of patients at risk were compared over time and between intervention and control groups. Mean difference in BMI, diet and physical activity between baseline and follow up were calculated and compared using a paired t-test. Change in the proportion of patients meeting the definition for physical activity diet and weight risk was calculated using McNemar's test and multilevel analysis was used to determine the effect of the intervention on follow-up scores. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty nine patients completed both questionnaires. No significant changes were found in the proportion of patients reporting a BP, cholesterol, glucose or weight check in either group. Less than one in six at-risk patients reported receiving lifestyle advice or referral at baseline with little change at follow up. More intervention patients reported attempts to improve their diet and reduce weight. Mean score improved for diet in the intervention group (p = 0.04) but self-reported BMI and PA risk did not significantly change in either group. There was no significant change in the proportion of patients who reported being at-risk for diet, PA or weight, and no changes in PA, diet and BMI in multilevel linear regression adjusted for patient age, sex, practice size and state. There was good fidelity to the intervention but practices varied in their capacity to address changes. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of measurable effect within this trial may be attributable to the complexities around behaviour change and/or system change. This trial highlights some of the challenges in providing suitable chronic disease preventive interventions which are both scalable to whole practice populations and meet the needs of diverse practice structures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12612000578808 (29/5/2012). This trial registration is retrospective as our first patient returned their consent on the 21/5/2012. Patient recruitment was ongoing until 31/10/2012.

The informatics capability maturity of integrated primary care centres in Australia.

CONTEXT: Integrated primary care requires systems and service integration along with financial incentives to promote downward substitution to a single entry point to care. Integrated Primary Care Centres (IPCCs) aim to improve integration by co-location of health services. The Informatics Capability Maturity (ICM) describes how well health organisations collect, manage and share information; manage eHealth technology, implementation, change, data quality and governance; and use "intelligence" to improve care. AIM: Describe associations of ICM with systems and service integration in IPCCs. METHODS: Mixed methods evaluation of IPCCs in metropolitan and rural Australia: an enhanced general practice, four GP Super Clinics, a "HealthOne" (private-public partnership) and a Community Health Centre. Data collection methods included self-assessed ICM, document review, interviews, observations in practice and assessment of electronic health record data. Data was analysed and compared across IPCCs. FINDINGS: The IPCCs demonstrated a range of funding models, ownership, leadership, organisation and ICM. Digital tools were used with varying effectiveness to collect, use and share data. Connectivity was problematic, requiring "work-arounds" to communicate and share information. The lack of technical, data and software interoperability standards, clinical coding and secure messaging were barriers to data collection, integration and sharing. Strong leadership and governance was important for successful implementation of robust and secure eHealth systems. Patient engagement with eHealth tools was suboptimal. CONCLUSIONS: ICM is positively associated with integration of data, systems and care. Improved ICM requires a health workforce with eHealth competencies; technical, semantic and software standards; adequate privacy and security; and good governance and leadership.

When colocation is not enough: a case study of General Practitioner Super Clinics in Australia.

Developed nations are implementing initiatives to transform the delivery of primary care. New models have been built around multidisciplinary teams, information technology and systematic approaches for chronic disease management (CDM). In Australia, the General Practice Super Clinic (GPSC) model was introduced in 2010. A case study approach was used to illustrate the development of inter-disciplinary CDM over 12 months in two new, outer urban GPSCs. A social scientist visited each practice for two 3-4-day periods. Data, including practice documents, observations and in-depth interviews (n=31) with patients, clinicians and staff, were analysed using the concept of organisational routines. Findings revealed slow, incremental evolution of inter-disciplinary care in both sites. Clinic managers found the facilitation of inter-disciplinary routines for CDM difficult in light of competing priorities within program objectives and the demands of clinic construction. Constraints inherent within the GPSC program, a lack of meaningful support for transformation of the model of care and the lack of effective incentives for collaborative care in fee-for-service billing arrangements, meant that program objectives for integrated multidisciplinary care were largely unattainable. Findings suggest that the GPSC initiative should be considered a program for infrastructure support rather than one of primary care transformation.

Advancing general practice nursing in Australia: roles and responsibilities of primary healthcare organisations.

Objectives Given increased numbers and enhanced responsibilities of Australian general practice nurses, we aimed to delineate appropriate roles for primary health care organisations (PHCOs) to support this workforce. Methods A two-round online Delphi consensus process was undertaken between January and June 2012, informed by literature review and key informant interviews. Participants were purposively selected and included decision makers from government and professional organisations, educators, researchers and clinicians from five Australian states and territories Results Of 56 invited respondents, 35 (62%) and 31 (55%) responded to the first and second invitation respectively. Participants reached consensus on five key roles for PHCOs in optimising nursing in general practice: (1) matching workforce size and skills to population needs; (2) facilitating leadership opportunities; (3) providing education and educational access; (4) facilitating integration of general practice with other primary care services to support interdisciplinary care; and (5) promoting advanced nursing roles. National concerns, such as limited opportunities for postgraduate education and career progression, were deemed best addressed by national nursing organisations, universities and peak bodies. Conclusions Advancement of nursing in general practice requires system-level support from a range of organisations. PHCOs play a significant role in education and leadership development for nurses and linking national nursing organisations with general practices. What is known about the topic? The role of nurses in Australian general practice has grown in the last decade, yet they face limited career pathways and opportunities for career advancement. Some nations have forged interprofessional primary care teams that use nurses' skills to the full extent of their scope of practice. PHCOs have played important roles in the development of general practice nursing in Australia and internationally. What does this paper add? This study delineates organisational support roles for PHCOs in strengthening nurses' roles and career development in Australian general practice. What are the implications for practitioners? Effective implementation of appropriate responsibilities by PHCOs can assist development of the primary care nursing workforce.

An investigation of barriers and enablers to advanced nursing roles in Australian general practice.

Over the past decade, there has been substantial increase in nurses' roles in primary health care, particularly in general practice settings. Simultaneously, there has been an expansion of advanced roles for nurses across a range of clinical environments. This paper draws upon findings from a study that sought to develop a framework to support development of advanced nursing roles in general practice. It presents findings from one part of that study that explored barriers and facilitators to the development of these roles. Twenty-three key leaders from nursing, general practice and professional organisations participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. A range of factors was identified as key to developing advanced roles in general practice. These included increasing awareness and attractiveness of practice nursing, health reform activities, practice limitations, education and professional development. Understanding complex systems and workforce issues is required to promote active intervention that can facilitate development of advanced nursing roles in Australian general practice.