9 February 2007

Online access to the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) educational tools is set to move ahead with the launch of an online version of NPS case studies this month.

The first online case study topic, covering appropriate use of antibiotics and titled Antibiotic therapy for animal bites, will run alongside the February 2007 NPS News 50 and work in tandem with the upcoming educational visiting topic to be delivered by NPS Facilitators through the Divisions of General Practice.

“It’s satisfying to be responding to requests from health professionals for increased access to our activities and it’s rewarding to see proven educational tools crossing into new media,” said Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO NPS.

Recognised for their applicability and currency NPS case studies are open to all health professionals with an interest in Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).

“The process of accessing the hypothetical case study and submitting responses for managing the clinical scenario is certainly simple online and we anticipate that more health professionals will participate as a result of web access” Dr Weekes concluded.

Participants who respond to the scenario receive a feedback report that includes expert commentaries on the case study along with aggregated responses to provide a snapshot of other colleague’s management approaches. Participation by GPs and GP Registrars qualifies as an activity for the Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI) of the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) while pharmacist participants are eligible for 1 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia CPD and PI credit point and SHPA Personal Continuing Professional Development will record for 1 hour.

NPS provides an average of 6 therapeutic modules for health professionals each year with 33 offered to date. The modules are delivered using a wide range of activities including written information, mailed feedback on personal prescribing, clinical audits, educational visiting, peer group discussions and responses to case studies.

The steady increase in health professional participation in NPS educational activities since 1998 are evidenced in over 53 000 case study submissions from 45 case studies to date, covering all topic areas. Currently GPs, pharmacists, other medical specialists, nurses and students actively participate in NPS case studies.

More information about the online case study is available at casestudy.nps.org.au or via the NPS website www.nps.org.au/healthpro. Instructions about submitting online case studies and other information on current and past QUM topics, activities and resources are available or contact email.

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National Prescribing Service Limited is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. We are member-based and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers.

NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.