Overview of Australian Primary Care Collaboratives (APCC) Phase II

Phase I of Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program (formerly known as the National Primary Care Collaboratives) has resulted in measurable improvements in patient care and health outcomes in primary care. Phase II of the APCC looks to continue the success of phase I and further implement the program in more Divisions of General Practice, individual General Practices and Aboriginal Medical Services in order to achieve better patient care and health care outcomes.

Phase II of the APCC program will use the same collaborative methodology to implement change and address the same topics Diabetes, the Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease, and Better Access primary care. Click here to find out more about the collaborative methodology.

In regards to the roll out of APCC program Phase II please see the below points:

• The program will be delivered through a series of state, local and virtual waves. To ensure there is an  even geographical spread of Divisions and Practices involved in the program there will be:
  
  

• 3 State Waves in NSW (including ACT)
• 2 Waves in Vic (including Tas)
• 1 Wave in QLD
• 1 Wave in WA or SA (to include WA, SA and NT)
  
  The roll out of State Waves will begin mid 2008 in NSW followed progressively by the other States
  
  
• Following a state wave, local collaborative waves will be delivered by Divisions to involve more practices in the program. IFA will assist Divisions in the planning and implementation of their local collaborative wave. Virtual waves will also be available.
  
  
• Participation of General Practices in the program is through their Division of General Practice and it is possible for all Divisions that have not participated in Phase 1 of the program to participate in phase II of the APCC.
  
  
• The APCC program proposes to automate data extraction and the subsequent loading of data to the on line reporting web site to reduce practice workload and disruption. Practices who are not participating in the APCC program can also submit monthly measures. These practices will need to contact their Division for details on how to access the website.
  
  
• As some divisions currently participating within the NPCC program have applied the quality improvement principles to other topic areas, the APCC program will widen data collection to include work in other health related areas, so that all divisions can extend work into these fields if they so choose.
  
  
• APCC Phase II will aim to involve approximately 1000 general practices nationally