Getting the most out of your practice--the Practice Health Atlas and business modelling opportunities.
BACKGROUND
The Practice Health Atlas (PHA) is a decision support tool for general practice, designed by the Adelaide Western Division of General Practice (AWDGP).


OBJECTIVE
This article describes the features of the PHA and its potential role in enhancing health care.


CONCLUSIONS
In developing the PHA, the AWDGP utilises a range of software tools and consults with a practice to understand its clinical data management approach. The PHA comprises three sections: epidemiology, business and clinical modelling systems, access to services. The objectives include developing a professional culture around quality health data and synthesis of aggregated de-identified general practice data at both practice and divisional level (and beyond) to assist with local health needs assessment, planning, and funding. Evaluation occurs through group feedback sessions and from the general practitioners and staff. It has demonstrated its potential to fulfill the objectives in outcome areas such as data quality and management, team based care, pro-active practice population health care, and business systems development, thereby contributing to improved patient health outcomes.
Del Fante
Peter
P
Adelaide Western Division of General Practice, South Australia. peter.delfante@awdgp.org.au
Allan
Don
D
Babidge
Elizabeth
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001271:Atlases as Topic; D001315:Australia; D019985:Benchmarking; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012984:Software