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Contents Small Group Case study Meetings |
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Dr Alison Tasker
Rebekah Sheahen
The NPS Program has been set up to provide prescribers with evidence-based information and educational initiatives around Quality Use of Medicines. Participation in this program assists prescribers in making decisions, ensuring the most effective treatment for patients.
The key roles of the NPS are to:
- Provide advice around prescribing and Quality Use of Medicines
- Ensure that consistent, independent and objective information about medicines is available for every prescriber
- Develop a national overview of quality prescribing policies, practices and resources
- Endorse best practice in prescribing
The NPS provides independent information about new and existing medicines which is:
- Based on the critical analyses of current evidence
- Consistent with nationally recognised guidelines
- Reviewed by independent researchers and experts in clinical pharmacology, medicine, general practice and communication
The NPS contracts with divisions to provide evidence based therapeutic information through the educational visiting program, and small group interactive case studies.
- Therapeutic choices for menopausal symptoms
- Management options for sleep
- Opioids in chronic pain
Educational visits generally take between twenty to thirty minutes with the division's facilitator. The facilitator visits the doctor in their own practice, at a convenient time. The visit provides health professionals with the opportunity to discuss current medications and treatment options. Two to three different therapeutic topics are offered during any year and usually coincide with the NPS Case Studies, NPS News, NPS Prescribing Practice Reviews and NPS clinical audits.
This educational activity is recognised by the Royal Australian College of General Practice – Continuing Medical Education points are awarded for participating in an Educational Visit.
Small Group Case Study Meetings
Complimenting the one-to-one practice visits are the Division's small group meetings (up to 8 doctors) where we provide facilitation for the practice to come together to work through specific cases and discuss issues surrounding a prescribing scenario. Such sessions are designed to combine interactive input with current medical evidence. Please allow 1 hour of practice time for the session.
This educational activity is recognised by the Royal Australian College of General Practice. Continuing Medical Education points are awarded for participating in Small Group Case Study Meetings.
The NPS provides at least two clinical audits each year. To complete a clinical audit General Practitioners are required to:
- Enrol via web NPS Website or complete enrolment forms sent with NPS Prescribing Practice Review
- Collect and submit information on the management of the condition described in the clinical audit for approximately 10 patients
- Receive expert feedback
- Review feedback and respond a set of review questions
This educational activity is recognised by the Royal Australian College of General Practice. Continuing Medical Education points are awarded for participating in NPS Clinical Audits.
The Quality Prescribing Initiative of the Practice Incentive Program
The Practice Incentive Program (PIP) aims to recognise general practices that provide comprehensive quality care and which are either accredited or working towards accreditation.
The Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI) is one of the incentive programs of PIP, and can provide financial rewards to practices where general practitioners participate in NPS educational activities such as; Educational Visiting, Small Group Case Study Meetings and NPS Clinical Audits. Generally a practice is required to complete a clinical audit and two other NPS educational activities per year for each full time equivalent general practitioner. The QPI year is form 1 May to 30 April.
Download further information on the Quality Prescribing Initiative.
Practices can find out their educational activity requirement by contacting
Medicare Australia on 1800 222 032
Practices can find out how many educational activities have been completed by contacting
NPS on (02) 8217 8700
Medicines Line - 1300 888 763
Medicines Line gives patients confidential information on:
- prescription medicines
- generic/brand medicines
- over-the-counter medicines
- herbal and natural therapies
You can ask a qualified pharmacist about your concerns with your medication.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST
NPS Resources (need to hyperlink this to resources – not available as yet)
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NPS Radar - contains articles for timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals. Published regularly throughout the year
Australian Prescriber - an independent publication providing readily accessible information about drugs and therapeutics. It covers topics assisting doctors, dentists, pharmacists and students.
NPS News - provides succinct, independent information on therapeutic topics distributed free of charge to all GPs and pharmacists along with Australian Prescriber 6 times a year.
Prescribing Practice Review - independent, evidence-based information about therapeutics for all Australian GPs sent approximately 4 times a year. The PPR is mailed approximately a month after NPS News and contains complementary information to NPS News.
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Rebekah Sheahen
Program Officer
Email: rsheahen@gpnw.com.au
Ph: 6425 0810
Fax: 6425 0888
