OVERVIEW

The Tools of the Trade Active Learning Module is based on the GP and Residential Aged Care Kit - Partnerships for ‘round-the-clock’ medical care. The Active Learning Module (ALM) addresses organisational systems and tools to facilitate communication between GPs and aged care homes, and integration of medical care by focussing on the MBS items (Comprehensive Medical Assessment, Residential Medication Management Review, case conference, contribution to care plan, referral to MBS funded allied health and dental services) and clinical information sheets.
The active learning module comprises 8 hours, including 6 hours of professional development in the use of the residential aged care MBS items, and up to 2 hours of pre- and post-activity and reflection. The ALM is provided over three 2-hour sessions; aged care home staff only need to participate in the two workshops:

1. Workshop One: GPs and aged care home staff attend a 2 hour interactive session on: organisational tools and systems for multi-disciplinary care of residents in- and out-of-hours; overview and case study of the residential aged care MBS items, including advise and tips of use of items in practice.
2. Practice Activity: GPs conduct a Comprehensive Medical Assessment (item 712) and contribution to care plan (item 731) on at least one of their patients living in an aged care home. Aged care home staff can be invited to answer some questions on CMAs and care plans.
3. Workshop Two: GPs and aged care home staff attend a 2 hour interactive session on: case scenario of a case conference in residential aged care; case study on one of the clinical information sheets; de-brief on experiences of CMA and care planning.

GPs and aged care home staff attend a 2 hour interactive session on: case scenario of a case conference in residential aged care; case study on one of the clinical information sheets; de-brief on experiences of CMA and care planning.
GPs must also complete a predisposing activity and reflective activity to meet the RACGP Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development Active Learning Module criteria.

Predisposing Activity: GPs read sections 1-3 of the GP and Residential Aged care Kit and complete a questionnaire to establish their personal learning goals for the ALM.
Reflective Activity: GPs complete a ‘GP work arrangement form’ with at least one of the aged care homes they attend, as well as complete the reflection questionnaire.

The document ALM Overview provides more detail about the education content of the ALM.

Benefits

The ALM has been piloted with Melbourne and Northern Divisions of General Practice. The Ottway Division of General Practice (a rural division) was consulted in the development of the ALM, ensuring that the ALM is applicable to both metropolitan and rural GPs and aged care homes. The pilot was quite successful. Almost all GPs who attended said in their evaluation that they would increase their use of MBS items. Some feedback from GPs and residential aged care staff include:

"The educational activity gave me more confidence to use and better understand CMAs, RMMR and contribution to care plans"

"Understand case conference better."

"I will identify patients for a CMA and set up a system for contribution to care plans as well as referrals to Allied Health to better enhance the lives of RACF patients."

"These should be run more often!"

"Time spent was valuable and the sessions a good learning resource"

"Excellent program"

Conducting the ALM in your local division will assist you to meet the aims of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative; to improve access to appropriate medical care for all residents of aged care homes; to increase participation of GPs in aged care initiatives aimed at improving quality of care for all residents; and GPs and Divisions working more effectively with aged care homes.

A summary of the evaluation of the ALM pilot is provided in the document ALM Evaluation.

Attachments:

• ALM Overview  [Acrobat PDF - 8.3 KB]
• ALM Evaluation  [Acrobat PDF - 34.8 KB]