SWSPHN and South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) have partnered to deliver tailored case conferencing for patients with type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Case Conference Clinic Days have been available to GPs in South Western Sydney since last year. The local program has been adapted from diabetes programs established by the Diabetes Alliance within the Hunter New England Local Health District.
“An endocrinologist and diabetes educator attends a general practice for the day to run a clinic for type 2 diabetes patients,” he said.
“Eight eligible patients each receive a 40-minute case conference. A follow-up review will occur six months later.
“Diabetes clinics not only allow for improved patient care, but also upskill GPs in diabetes management.”
Dr McDonald said case conferencing with a specialist team in collaboration with the patients’ GP provided “robust clinical care” and subsequent decreases in hospital admissions.
He said the main benefit of diabetes case conferencing, and this model in particular, was the continuity of care the patient had with their GP.
Dr McDonald also detailed the benefits of the appointment for patients.
“They don’t have the issues of cost, travel, parking and long wait times to get in to see a specialist. It’s also an opportunity for them to have personalised education and treatment from a diabetes educator,” he said.
“It is both innovative and efficient.”
Dr McDonald said the service model was also attractive to general practices.
“GPs can charge an MBS item 743 which is $213.15 per patient, so this model enables quite comprehensive care while also adequately remunerating the GP – this makes it worth their while to do it,” he said.
He said one of the main aims of case conferencing was to upskill GPs.
“Not only do they learn some of the diabetes education side of things, but they get to learn from so many different patients.”
There are many benefits to running a diabetes clinic, including:
- MBS remuneration of $213.15 per 40-minute consultation
- Confidence in managing complex type 2 diabetes patients
- GP access to one-on-one education from diabetes specialists
- Develop an integrated approach to diabetes across general practice, allied health, hospital and specialist services
- Reduce the organisational burden of individual case conferences by running an efficient and streamlined day clinic
- Practices can choose how many GPs participate in the clinic
- Optional lunchtime education session for practice staff
- Support from SWSPHN and SWSLHD to arrange and facilitate clinics
- Claim hours towards RACGP continuing professional development
Currently, two diabetes clinics are held weekly across South Western Sydney. To date ,14 practices have held 20 clinics, with 38 clinics already scheduled for the remainder of 2023 across 30 practices.
Dr McDonald said there was a big demand for the service.
“We’re expecting 500 consults will be held this year,” he said.
In a survey of patients who have used the service, 79.2 per cent of respondents said the appointments were very helpful.
One patient said of the clinic: “Very helpful. Excellent to have it all arranged for me.” Another said: “I was satisfied with how it went. I feel like I am able to manage health decisions better.”
GP feedback included: “Our surgery and medical practice are grateful for the endocrinologist and the diabetic educator who were able to come to our surgery as many of our patients would not be able to afford a private endocrinologist and waiting for a spot can take up to three to six months. We are so grateful and with our GP team – we were able to provide 90 per cent attendance. Please continue the service as it will be very well attended and by keen GPs such as us. Thank you for the service.”
Dr Vipin Goyal, from Liverpool Medical Centre, said his practice had offered two clinics since February.
“The patients had a good experience. They felt like someone was caring for them and was interested in their health,” Dr Goyal said. “They are also happy there will be a follow-up review.”
Dr Goyal (pictured above left demonstrating how to conduct a blood glucose test) emphasised the value of the clinics to patients in terms of improving their health, but also financially because clinics were free to patients.
Dr Goyal said he also benefited professionally.
“It helps me on a personal level,” he said. “The patient is taken care of, and I am learning too.”
For more information, or to discuss booking a case conference clinic day, contact SWSPHN Priority Populations Program Advisor Alyssa Horgan via phone at 4632 3088 or email at Alyssa.Horgan@swsphn.com.au
Do you have type 2 diabetic patients who would benefit from receiving free advice and support from a diabetes educator? SWSPHN has partnered with SWSLHD to provide small group diabetes education sessions at your practice for your patients. The sessions are free and run for two-hours for groups of eight people.
Find out more about the sessions