From the makers of the BEACH study comes a new study aimed at diving into multidisciplinary care teams.
A successor to the legendary BEACH study has officially kicked off, and is set to investigate the role and value that non-GP health workers have in general practice settings.
This study is a collaboration between the University of Sydney, the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and the University of Wollongong and is officially titled Occasions of Care Explained and Analysed, or OCEAN.
OCEAN aims to fill out the critical evidence gap in workforce distribution, skills and clinical activity to help inform multidisciplinary care team models.
It is new take on its predecessor study BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) that also collected data on the management of health issues in general practice.
“There are areas like being able to highlight training needs and funding priorities and as well, perhaps the equity of service provision too,” OCEAN lead researcher Professor Sue Randall told The Medical Republic.
“The focus of the current OCEAN study is not so much on GPs as it is other members of team-based care.
“But the data that we will collect from the practice profile will give us a very robust basis for primary healthcare data, which really is the cornerstone of Australia’s health system.”
Data from the study will be readily available in real time, using digital research tools which allow for a constant stream of information to inform care strategies.
The rollout of the study so far has been state-by-state, with Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia having already gone live.
New South Wales, Northern Territory and Victoria won’t be left out for a long with researchers backing that the study will reach said states as part of its rollout plan.
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“OCEAN really aligns very well with the National Primary Health Care 10-year plan and the strengthening Medicare task force report,” Professor Randall told TMR.
“We see the data helping to reinforce the recommendations from the Medicare Task Force, things like fast tracking and improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals, increasing investment in workforce and supporting general practice, you know, and all team members to work to their full scope of practice.
“Also we see that the data could be helpful in increasing commissioning, really of allied health and nursing services, and in that way, supplementing general practice teams.
“Particularly as the strengthening Medicare Task Force recommendations say in underserved and financially disadvantaged communities.”
The study has only just begun and is still asking for GP input. Those interested can participate by contacting ocean.study@sydney.edu.au.
