14 March 2006

Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO of NPS, has launched the Indicators of Quality Prescribing in Australian General Practice manual with GPs and general practice stakeholders at the AGPAL 3rd International Conference on Quality in Healthcare on the Gold Coast.

Designed to support general practitioners and their practices to review clinical care in an increasingly complex therapeutic environment the new manual is divided into straightforward structural and process indicators.

Use of the indicators assists the GP to review and introduce policies, procedures and prescribing practices and systems that support Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).

“This is a timely contribution to Australian general practice and adds another useful tool for GPs looking into how we can improve our practice. The indicator set is underpinned by a robust evidence base and developed in conjunction with practicing clinicians. This will assist us in making better therapeutic decisions with our patients” said Dr Shiong Tan, a Cloverdale (WA) GP and member of the NPS board.

“The process indicators are reasonably easy to use and focus on health priority areas such as prescribing for asthma and type 2 diabetes. The indicators are flags or screens for ensuring the practice and the individual doctor are providing patients with the best possible care, he added.

Successful strategies for good prescribing identified through consultations include, non-drug and lifestyle measures, clear effective communication, quality prescribing decision support, appropriate processes for monitoring therapy and to have policies and systems that support QUM.

“By working with GPs, other health professionals, consumers and policy makers in the development of the manual we are able to listen and respond to doctors’ concerns and needs. Feedback to date on the manual has been very positive” said Dr Weekes.

“Prescribing medications for complex general practice populations requires that GPs are supported to make the best prescribing decisions. The Indicators of Quality Prescribing in Australian General Practice manual provides straight forward, valid indicators which encourage practical, evidence-based decisions that result in better health” concluded Dr Weekes.

GPs and practices can order copies of the free manual through the NPS website at www.nps.org.au/healthpro

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is a member-based organisation providing accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community.