GP partners Adelaide (GPpA) has worked together with DATIS for 10 years to provide the NPS educational visiting service to its GP members. The purpose has been to provide independent, evidence based information in therapeutic areas to improve patient outcomes. GPpA funds the DATIS educational visiting program from a National Prescribing Service contract. The GP advisory group for the QUM program also aims to integrate the educational visiting program topics with other divisional programs especially with CPD events where ever possible.
Currently DATIS is delivering the NPS educational visiting program on ‘Opioid therapy in chronic pain: use a planned approach’ The program encourages health professionals to:
- Perform a thorough history and physical examination to determine if investigations are necessary
- Prescribe an opioid only as part of an agreed pain management plan
- Initiate an opioid as a short term therapeutic trial
- Continue an opioid only in those who demonstrate benefit from a trial and reassess regularly the need for ongoing therapy
- Discuss options for managing breakthrough pain
These NPS educational visits qualify as Quality Prescribing Initiative activities within the Practice Incentives Program. Further information can be obtained from the NPS on 02 8217 8700 and the PIP on 1800 222 032. The NPS also has a brochure on the Quality Prescribing Initiative of the Practice Incentives Program which can be downloaded from here.
The DATIS service also includes the provision of written resource and summary material for all topics. A feature of DATIS is to provide researched responses to doctors' enquiries from practice visits.
For information on DATIS visits, please contact Penny Payne on 8275 1763.
