GVGPs

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) provides independent, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).
Educational activities for GPs are eligible for inclusion in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) via the Quality Prescribing Initiative (QPI).

For a brochure with more information regarding PIP and QPI click here.

NPS Educational Visits

Our NPS Facilitator, John Ware, is available to visit practices to discuss how current evidence on specific therapeutic topics translates into quality prescribing for their patients.

Educational visits by NPS Facilitators qualify as an activity for the QPI of the PIP.
See http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities/nps_facilitator_visits

The current topic is: ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

The current NPS program 'Antibiotic resistance and respiratory tract infections' focuses on the antibiotic resistance and doctor - patient communications

Key messages are:

• Antibiotic resistance requires consideration at both a population and individual level.
• Establish a patient's beliefs and expectations about antibiotics for acute RTIs and tailor communication strategies accordingly.
• Encourage self-management of acute RTIs and explain why antibiotics may not be appropriate.
• Consider the issue of resistance when prescribing antibiotics.
• Consider clinical usefulness and the associated risks to your patient before ordering an imaging test

To register for the current topic use our online form.  Alternatively, you can print, fill in and fax back this document.

GPs or practice managers can contact Carmen Saunders or Sally Coates at the Division on 03) 5831 5399 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange a practice visit.

NPS Case Studies

NPS case studies are included in NPS News*, distributed every two months to GPs along with Australian Prescriber.*  When completed case studies are returned to the NPS, participants receive an aggregate of responses plus expert commentary.

The Division periodically facilitates small group discussions of NPS case scenarios with local pharmacists and GPs. See GVGPs Events Calendar.

NPS Clinical Audits

The NPS provides at least two clinical audits each year that count towards the QPI of the PIP.
To complete an NPS clinical audit, GPs must:

• Enrol via forms included in the NPS Prescribing Practice Review, which is sent directly to GPs
  throughout the year
• Collect information on their management of the condition described in the clinical audit for
  approximately 20 patients
• Receive expert feedback and/or an individual review on completion
• Review their feedback, further review their patients and respond to a set of review questions.

These audits may also be eligible for clinical audit points under the RACGP Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development Program (QI & CPD) and/or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Professional Development Program.

More details about these clinical audits are available from Sally Coates at the Division This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or from the NPS website www.nps.org.au/healthpro then click on 'Topics and resources'.

NPS RADAR

NPS RADAR (Rational Assessment of Drugs and Research) provides timely, independent, evidence-based information on new drugs, research and PBS listings. It's published by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) for general practitioners, specialists, pharmacists, other health professionals and consumers.  Subscribing to this free service will get you NPS RADAR three times per year in line with major updates to the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule) as well as NPS RADAR eAlerts to keep you updated between major editions.  Click here for more information and to subscribe.