What is the Better Outcomes Cardiovascular Pilot Project?
An exciting new pilot project will be conducted in ACT general practices to improve outcomes for patients identified as having a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The project is a collaboration between ACT Medicare Local, the University of Canberra and the Heart Foundation.
Six general practices will be recruited to participate in the project which will take a comprehensive approach to the prevention of cardiovascular disease through systemic absolute risk identification and co-ordinated management of patients. The project is expected to run for 3 years with pre-planning work commencing in July 2011.
What will the Better Outcomes Cardiovascular Pilot Project do?
Working with 6 pilot practices the project will:
- Take a comprehensive approach to the prevention of CVD through systematic absolute risk identification and coordinated management of patients found to be at high risk.
- Support practices to identify patients with existing coronary heart disease (CHD) and commence an annual CHD cycle of care.
- Work closely with practices to develop toolkits and resources to assist GPs in identifying, supporting and meeting the needs of patients who are at an increased risk of developing CVD, or have already been diagnosed with CVD.
- Engage health coaches to work with patients who meet certain inclusion criteria. GPs will be able to refer these patients to a health coach funded by the project. The patient will be provided with an opportunity to discuss, develop and negotiate a personalised health improvement plan based on agreed lifestyle improvement priorities.
How can the Better Outcomes Cardiovascular Pilot Project help you?
For practices participating in the pilot project:
- Improved health benefits and outcomes to patients
- Professional development opportunities through on-line active learning modules.
The project will use the Implementing Lifestyle Change (ILC) Active Learning Module developed by the Heart Foundation and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Who can help you?
Tanya Clancy
Cardiovascular Project Officer
02 6287 8081