Aims and processes

Aims

• to collect reliable and valid data about general practice which is responsive to the ever-changing needs of information users.
• to establish an ongoing database of GP/patient encounter information.
• to assess patient based risk factors and the relationship these factors have with health service activity.
• to provide accurate and timely data to a wide variety of users including government bodies, GP organisations, consumers, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry.

The process

• An on-going data collection process - 20 GPs recording per week.
• Random sample of 1000 GPs annually across Australia - from HIC Medicare records.
• 100 consecutive consultations from each GP.
• All consultations recorded - including indirect consultations (e.g. telephone) - which result in a management action e.g. prescription, referral, etc.