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Past SSRS ProjectsImportance of communicationPrevious projects conducted by the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists include:
Laparoscopy AuditThis project was funded by the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists, an initiative of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. This project was championed by the RANZCOG Provincial Fellows Committee through their experience working in rural practice where Fellows may encounter difficulties in completing audit and discussing outcomes in a collegial, supportive environment. A retrospective claims study carried out by RANZCOG and United Medical Protection identified a significant number of claims related to laparoscopy.While some of these issues may go unnoticed and not affect patients, some will potentially result in suffering for patients and require further surgery or treatment. By designing a laparoscopy audit framework for use amongst rural and remote Australian anaesthetists, gynaecologists and general surgeons, this project successfully met its aims, which were to:
Key stages of the project included:
Colposcopy AuditThe Colposcopic Audit Project was funded in round seven of the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS). The objective of this audit was to provide specialists with a view to better identify and accurately manage risks relating to Colposcopic assessment. The Colposcopy Audit Project provided specialists with opportunities and resources to undertake a multidisciplinary clinical Audit and peer review in relation to Colposcopy and cervical abnormalities. AROMAThe AROMA Risk Management and Audit Project was a collaboration between the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). The Project aimed to provide an audit support and practice improvement program for rural specialist obstetricians and anaesthetists. It was designed to provide rural specialists with an opportunity to gain skills in risk management, develop and implement clinical audits, evaluate objectively adverse obstetric and anaesthetic outcomes within a safety and quality framework, and to provide them with collegiate support when managing these difficult events More Communicating for Better OutcomesThis project was a collaboration between the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). The aim of the Communicating for Better Outcomes project was to improve specialists' competencies in communication, personal management, insight and patient advocacy. These skills are set within the context of risk management and gaining informed consent More Perinatal Mortality & Morbibity2004 PilotIn 2004 the Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity (PM&M) Audit was piloted in different regions in Victoria, South Australia and northern Tasmania. Six visits were carried out with over 50 perinatal deaths reviewed. The pilot project was a success in terms of creating an objective forum for peer audit, with sites benefiting from external review. 2005 ProjectPM&M continued in 2005 following the success of the 2004 pilot project. This project reviewed the perinatal mortality and morbidity at nine regional hospitals in Queensland and the Northern Territory . The aim was to provide a transparent audit of perinatal deaths and unexpected transfers to neonatal intensive care or nursery after caesarean section. Outcomes of the visit included reducing the isolation of rural and regional practitioners by providing peer review and connection with colleagues. Providing audit facilitators who have shared a common background of rural practice gave the audit and visitors' credibility and frankness in discussions about quality and safety. In addition, the audits raised awareness of the PSANZ Perinatal Morality Audit Guidelines. 2006/2007 ProjectFurther funding was obtained to continue the PNM&M Project in Round 6 of the SSRS funding following the 2005 project. The project was conducted in rural NSW involving 8 site visits and 14 O&G and 4 Paediatricians. Approximately 85 other regional practitioners were interviewed in the visits, including obstetricians, paediatricians, medical administrators, anaesthetists, midwives, registrars, trainees, GP obstetricians and pathologists. 2008 ProjectThe PNM&M Project was run again in 2008, this time involving seven rural sites throughtout SA and WA. Rural O&G’s and Paediatricians throughout Australia were invited to act as audit facilitators. Fifteen specialists agreed to participate in this project. Practice Visits2005 Pilot ProjectIn 2005 /06 funding was received to run a pilot of practice visits in regional New South Wales and selected Victorian sites. Practice visits are designed to provide Fellows with a review of many aspects of their practice by two peers in a collegial and supportive manner. The process also includes interviews with the multidisciplinary team the Fellow works with and a review of the clinical work load, case mix and record keeping. The 2005/06 project involved review of 16 Fellows' practices, over 10 rural sites throughout Victoria and New South Wales. The Practice visits project is a resource intensive but a practically relevant project, creating outcomes which have had the greatest impact of any SSRS so far conducted. Benefits to Fellows participating in the project included reducing professional isolation, providing feedback of performance and highlighting areas of vulnerability in practice. Based on this pilot, RANZCOG recommended a national roll out of this project to a wider audience of provincial and metropolitan Fellows.
© RANZCOG
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