This article gives insights into a few of the organisations that help GPs keep up-to-date about medicines, and some of the teaching methods they use.

From whom?

RACGP
Like most professions, GPs have their own professional body that supports and represents them, and ensures that the profession’s standards are upheld. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) helps GPs maintain their knowledge and skills by organising and co-ordinating a variety of educational activities, some of which involve medicines and their use. Each approved activity is worth a certain number of points, and GPs have to accrue 130 points every three years in order to keep practising.

Divisions of general practice
Many GPs belong to their local division of general practice. Divisions of general practice are networks of GPs who work together to improve health care in their area. Among other things, divisions coordinate a range of activities that help their members use medicines safely and effectively.

NPS
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) was set up to promote the quality use of medicines. It researches, collates and publishes reliable information about medicines, and organises educational activities to improve GPs’ prescribing habits.

Pharmaceutical companies
Pharmaceutical companies conduct a variety of educational activities for GPs, and sponsor activities run by other organisations.

How?

Courses, conferences and seminars
Listening to experts talk at training courses, conferences and seminars is one of the ways GPs acquire information about medicines. Often, these talks are accompanied by interactive activities that encourage them to think more deeply about the topic, and share their ideas and experiences with each other. Typical activities include question-and-answer sessions, online discussions, small group discussions, mock consultations and tests.

Educational visits and small group discussions
Some organisations, including the NPS and many pharmaceutical companies, have facilitators or representatives who visit GPs to discuss the features of a new medicine or the best treatment of a condition. Visits may be with one GP at a time (educational visits), or with a small group of 6–10 GPs (small group discussions).

Feedback
GPs have the opportunity to receive formal feedback about how well they treat their patients with a particular condition compared with the guidelines for that condition through a process known as clinical auditing. The guidelines are recommendations based on research results that outline the most effective way of investigating and treating a condition.

To begin a clinical audit, the GP submits the details of about 20 patients (after first obtaining their consent to do so). Only anonymous information about the patients’ test results and treatments is passed on: no details that could identify the patients are submitted. The auditing organisation compares these details with the guidelines, and gives the GP feedback about the comparison. Finally, the GP is asked to review and modify the treatment of any patients whose treatment the audit indicated could be improved.

For example, a clinical audit on treating blood pressure might look at the medications the patients were being prescribed, the dosages being used, and the patients’ blood pressure after treatment. The GP might be asked to modify the treatment of any patients whose blood pressure was above the recommended level.

Supporting information
Many organisations publish books, magazines and websites about medicines for GPs. One well known reference book is the MIMS Annual, which contains the official product information for all the prescription medicines available in Australia. A range of medical journals and magazines keeps GPs informed about recent developments and current debates about medicines and their use.

The medicines available and the circumstances under which they can be used are changing all the time. The NPS runs a special service known as RADAR that keeps health professionals informed of such changes through a regular email newsletter. It provides GPs with information about new medicines, tells them about any changes to the rules governing the use of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and highlights any recently revealed problems.

The NPS also provides a telephone information service. GPs can ring the service to discuss any concerns they have about a patient’s medicine while the patient is still in their office.