Allied health providers, GPs and nurses had an opportunity to learn about diabetes and build relationships at the most recent The Common Ground CPD event.
SWSPHN hosted the workshop which attracted 31 healthcare providers (12 GPs, 10 allied health, nine nurses) at Ottimo House in Denham Court on Tuesday, October 13.
The aim was to highlight how multidisciplinary collaboration can reveal barriers to care which a single profession may not have the opportunity or expertise to identify.
Key messages included discussion about the ways in which patients may be aware of clinical advice but often face barriers following that advice; how understanding and addressing these barriers is a shared responsibility; the importance of sharing relevant findings with the treating team; and good communication is key.
GP Dr Lance Holland-Keen told the gathering cognitive dissonance between a patient’s knowledge of diabetes and their action was an important factor, and the role to bridge this gap was not profession specific.
Pharmacist Daniel Nasri highlighted how MedsCheck and Home Medicines Reviews could uncover medication side effects and patient concerns and barriers to adherence, while optometrist Dr Chheng Kouch said eye examinations could identify diabetes-related changes, sometimes before diabetes had been diagnosed. Retinal images may also help patients understand their condition.
A series of interactive activities encouraged clinicians to discuss each other’s roles, referral opportunities and communication needs while contributions from different professions revealed perspectives participants may not have previously considered.
