%0 Journal Article
%~ Pubmed
%A Homer, Caroline S E
%A Griffiths, Marnie
%A Brodie, Pat M
%A Kildea, Sue
%A Curtin, Austin M
%A Ellwood, David A
%T Developing a Core Competency Model and Educational Framework for Primary Maternity Services: A national consensus approach.
%B 
%D 2012
%V 
%N 
%P 
%@ 1878-1799
%X BACKGROUND: An appropriately educated and competent workforce is crucial to an effective health care system. The National Health Workforce Taskforce (now Health Workforce Australia) and the Maternity Services Inter-Jurisdictional Committee funded a project to develop Core Competencies and Educational Framework for Primary Maternity Services in Australia. These competencies recognise the interdisciplinary nature of maternity care in Australia where care is provided by general practitioners, obstetricians and midwives as well as other professionals. PARTICIPANTS: Key stakeholders from professional organisations and providers of services related to maternity care and consumers of services. METHODS: A national consensus approach was undertaken using consultation processes with a Steering Committee, a wider Reference Group and public consultation. FINDINGS: A national Core Competencies and Educational Framework for Primary Maternity Services in Australia was developed through an iterative process with a range of key stakeholders. There are a number of strategies that may assist in the integration of these into primary maternity service provider professional groups' education and practice. CONCLUSIONS: The Core Competencies and Educational Framework are based on an interprofessional approach to learning and primary maternity service practice. They have sought to value professional expertise and stimulate awareness and respect for the roles of all primary maternity service providers. The competencies and framework described in this paper are now a critical component of Australian maternity services as they are included in actions in the newly released National Maternity Services Plan and thus have relevance for all providers of Australian maternity services.
%Z FOR Codes: 111799



%0 Journal Article
%~ Pubmed
%A Hemli, Jonathan M
%A Arnot, Richard S
%A Ashworth, Jack J
%A Curtin, Austin M
%A Simon, Robert A
%A Townend, David M
%T Feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in a rural centre.
%B ANZ Journal of Surgery
%D 2004
%V 74
%N 11
%P 979-82
%@ 1445-1433
%X BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has emerged as a preferred option for the management of choledocholithiasis. The present study sought to review the feasibility of this technique in a rural centre. METHODS: A comprehensive retrospective review was undertaken of all patients who underwent surgical treatment of biliary calculi in Lismore, NSW (Australia), between January 1996 and December 2002. RESULTS: During the study period, 1567 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, of whom 82 (5.2%) had choledocholithiasis identified at intraoperative cholangiography. A total of 86 laparoscopic common bile duct explorations were undertaken in these patients, 37 (43%) via a transcystic approach, and 49 (57%) via a laparoscopic choledochotomy. All common bile duct calculi were successfully removed in 78 cases, representing an overall duct clearance rate of 90.7%. Complications were noted in seven patients, a morbidity rate of 8.5%. Median operative time for the procedure over the study period was 173 min. Median hospital stay was 6 days for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration can be successfully undertaken in a rural setting by general surgeons who have appropriate laparoscopic experience, and should be the procedure of choice for the management of choledocholithiasis in these patients. It should not be restricted to specialized surgical departments in major referral centres.