A ‘new model’ of health care is being shaped by an unheralded Sunshine Coast pilot program aimed at reducing wait times and keeping more people out of hospitals.
The initiative, trialled over three years, is set to be expanded and could help the region cope with the demands of a surging population.
The GP with a Special Interest (GPSI) program, based at Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), sees GPs develop their skills and knowledge by working with hospital specialists a few days a week.
The experience gained can be used to great effect when they go back to their practices, while their “extra pairs of hands’’ help improve the flow in outpatient clinics at the hospital.
The initiative has been a quiet achiever to date, but its successful outcomes will be revealed by program leader, Dr Edwin Kruys, at the 2021 Sunshine Coast Health Symposium on March 18.
The inaugural Symposium, hosted by the Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI) in partnership with TAFE Queensland, is an online, virtual event that will showcase innovation, diversity and excellence in health.
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Dr Kruys told sunshinecoastnews.com.au that the GPSI program brought hospital teams and General Practitioners (GPs) closer together.
He said the model was first introduced in the UK more than 20 years ago and began as a pilot on the Sunshine Coast in 2017.
“In 2000, the National Health Service Plan defined the GPSI role as GPs who continued with their core role in the community, but with additional skills and knowledge in particular clinical areas,’’ Dr Kruys (pictured) said.
“GPSIs would take referrals from other GPs and work within integrated consultant-led hospital teams in addition to hospital specialists, but not replacing them,’’ he said.
Funding for the Coast program came from the Queensland Government’s Specialist Outpatient Strategy – Improving the Patient Journey, which allocated $30m over three years to explore a range of service delivery models.
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Dr Kruys said it was widely expected new models of care would be required in the near future to meet population needs and manage increasing demand on public health services.
“It is likely that cross-over models – where hospital specialists support GPs in the community and GPs work in hospitals – become part of the solution to keep people out of hospital and safely in the community, as much as possible.’’
Dr Kruys said the Coast program had 19 GPs working across a number of specialties, including Dermatology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Immunology, Mental Health, Orthopaedics, Respiratory, Neurology, Rheumatology, Urology, and Vascular surgery.
He said he and colleague, Dr Michelle Johnston, were both working as GPs at the hospital General Practice Liaison Unit and their unit had been managing the project with support from management, consultants, nurses and administration staff.
“I have worked part-time – in addition to my role as community GP – as a GP with Special Interest in mental health at Gympie Hospital.
“As a result of working with the consultant psychiatrist and multidisciplinary team, I have gained valuable skills and improved my mental health knowledge, which I have been able to take back to my GP practice and regularly share with primary care colleagues.
“As a GP, it has given me confidence to support more patients in the community.
“The Gympie mental health team appreciated an extra pair of hands on deck and having access to GP input on various topics, such as communicating with the GP community and managing physical health issues of people living with a mental health condition.’’
Dr Kruys said the Sunshine Coast GPSI pilot had demonstrated improved discharge processes and shorter wait times, as well as improved collaboration and integration between general practice and hospital.
He said GPSIs could help build hospital team confidence in the handover of care back to GPs.
They also could identify which patients could appropriately – and safely – be transferred back to their regular GP, facilitating continuity of care.
“The higher discharge rate back home from GPSI clinics in combination with GPSI-facilitated follow-up plans for further care by the regular GP is an important strategy to reduce wait lists for patients on the Sunshine Coast.’’
The 2021 Sunshine Coast Health Symposium
WHAT: The Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI) is a dedicated education, training and research facility that in partnership with TAFE Queensland is hosting the inaugural Sunshine Coast Health Symposium. This event will showcase innovation, diversity and excellence in health, with presentations to focus on education, research, innovation, working in partnership, and population and community health. The symposium is an online, virtual event. Interested parties can register now to be notified of the live stream link.
WHEN: March 18-19.
WHERE: Virtual Seminar, sign up to receive the link.
TICKETS: www.sunshinecoasthealthsymposium.com.au.
