News
Cancer Learning is Live!
This new site enables you to access a single Australian directory which will guide you in managing your own professional development in the field of cancer. A major aim of Cancer Learning is to consolidate the rapidly growing variety of evidence-based learning activities, resources and information available from both within Australia and from overseas. All listed resources pass through a transparent evaluation process which is available on the site.
There are hree new online learning modules in multidisciplinary care, principles of psychosocial support and frontline psychosocial management which are relevant to all health professionals and easily accessed in 'bite-sized' sections.
This project has been funded by Cancer Australia and developed by EdCan and the Professional Development Project Consortium consisting of CIPHER at the University of Sydney, the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, the Cancer Council Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
To access the site: ww.cancerlearning.gov.au
Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care 2008
The Cystic Fibrosis Standards of Care is a newly released publication endorsed by Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the Cystic Fibrosis Special Interest Group of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ). There are 10 chapters in the Standards, one of which deals with end of life care. Each chapter contains a literature review, guidelines for care and the ideal situation for the management of people with cystic fibrosis in Australia. ANZSPM Council reviewed the chapter on end of life care before publication.
For a copy of the document: TSANZ website: www.thoracic.org.au
Evidence-Practice Gaps Report Volume 1: A review of developments 2004-2007
The National Institute of Clinical Studies has just released its Evidence-Practice Gaps Report Volume 1: A review of developments 2004-2007. The publication includes a review of the evidence of the 11 topic areas in the original Gaps report published in 2004. A key topic area is managing acute and cancer pain in hospitalised patients. The information includes a summary of barriers - clinician, patient, system - and reports that 25-33% of patients in institutional settings have pain. It also presents some initiatives that have had a positive impact on pain management in hospitals in Australia. The summary report states that 'we need clarity on what constitutes optimal pain management, and reliable data to measure current practice and improvements'.
For more information: NHMRC website: www.nhmrc.gov.au/nics Email: nics@nhmrc.gov.au
Additional MBS audits and financial penalties
The Australian Government has announced that it is boosting its Medicare Compliance program. Under the 'Increasing MBS Compliance' initiative the Government will increase audits on MBS services by an additional 2000 each financial year. When requested through an audit, providers will be required to produce evidence supporting their claims and billing. In the information provided to ANZSPM, Medicare Australia claims that it does not expect that responding to an audit will be an onerous task for practitioners who keep adequate records. In addition to increased audits, the Australian Government has announced its intention to introduce financial penalties for practitioners who have caused the Government to pay Medicare benefits incorrectly. Actual penalty amounts will be set in consultation with key stakeholders.
For more information: The Department of Health and Ageing's website: 'Increasing MBS Compliance' www.health.gov.au