Snapshot
The
building of continuum of education model in general practice project
has been designed to develop collaboration between the Townsville Division
of General Practice (TDGP), North West Queensland Primary Health Care,
Tropical Medical Training (TMT) and James Cook University, School of
Medicine, (JCU SOM) for the purpose of integrating teaching and learning
across the continuum from medical student to practicing professional and to
help define opportunities for this to occur in a way that meets the needs of
patients.
The
objectives were to:
-
Enter into partnership/collaborative arrangements between the Divisions, TMT and the School of Medicine.
-
Undertake a needs assessment to assess the gaps in knowledge and skills for registrars and staff members of Division in educational delivery.
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To produce or adapt appropriate educational modules to meet the identified needs and to have them available in flexible delivery mode.
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Provide support for the educational modules with face-to-face workshops in each Division area.
Major Achievements
The major achievements of the vertical integration project have been:
v Workshops were conducted as a process of this project enabling strengthening of ties between the partners in this project. The purpose being, to determine the level of teaching skills within the various employees involved in the partnership.
v Tangible tools for teaching and learning to assist GPs, GP registrars, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and Practice Staff with undergraduate medical students on clinical attachment in their practices.
Future Outcomes
As a result of this project:
v The Townsville Division of General Practice has recognised the worth of collaboration and has ensured where possible Allied Health Professionals and whole of Practice Staff are included in the planning, delivery and participation of all educational activities.
v Townsville Division of General Practice is keen to invite 5th & 6th year medical students as associate members and is working towards this aim. This has a positive flow-on effect for both the Division and workforce issues for the Townsville and Thuringowa areas.
v The long term implications of this project for students in all undergraduate health streams is an appreciation and understanding of the importance of collaboration and integration across health professions and their interactions with General Practice.
Project Partners
The partners in the project were the Townsville Division of General Practice, North West Queensland Primary Health Care, Tropical Medical Training and James Cook University, School of Medicine.
Vertical
Integration in this proposal was a process of supporting teaching and
learning that focuses integrating learning experiences along the continuum
of a medical practitioner’s career. Potential advantages of such a program
include:
v
Improved
quality and relevance of training
v Increased retention of GPs especially in areas where training occurs
v Less duplication and fragmentation of medical training and
v Better teaching and chronic and preventative care and other population health approaches.
