For more information, contact the GPQ Chronic Disease Team on 07 3105 8300.

The Chronic Disease team has established a broad but flexible approach to guide development and implementation of initiatives, facilitate partnership opportunities and create a platform to build capacity. Seven priority areas have been identified as an initial key focus:

1. Development and Support for Divisions and CHAG agencies
2. Partnerships with Key Stakeholders
3. Research and Innovation
4. Primary Prevention
5. Secondary Prevention
6. Self Management
7. Quality Improvement / Evaluation

Specific and targeted strategies consistent with the objectives will occur under these broad priority areas.

Benefits for the Divisions Network and Key Stakeholders

• Marketing and Communication
  • Dedicated web pages for chronic disease resources, updates, and contacts on the General Practice Queensland website;
  • Profiling and sharing information in relation to chronic disease prevention and management;
  • Providing opportunities to establish relationships, showcase programs and learn from case-studies; and
  • Utilising updates and other mechanisms to promote the work of the Divisions Network.
    
    
• Knowledge Translation
  • Identifying strategies and support mechanisms for Divisions and CHAG to implement evidenced-based models;
  • Providing access to academic research skills and expertise on chronic disease and complex health conditions; and
  • Publicising case studies and evidence-based best practice for chronic disease in the primary health care sector.
    
    
• Capacity Building
  • Building evaluation skills within the Queensland Divisions Network;
  • Providing access and support for training opportunities, seminars and workshops in relation to chronic disease e.g. self management, primary prevention, capacity building, skills development; and
  • Developing resources, tools and templates to support program implementation and capacity building.
    

Achievements

January 08 – June 08

• Launch of statewide workshop for Divisional Chronic Disease Program staff (18 Divisions).  The workshop held in May 2008, was attended by Divisional Staff and other key stakeholders from across the State. 
  • The Type 2 Diabetes Standard Care Pathway tool was promoted at the workshop and opportunities for integration at the local level were identified.
  • Feedback was provided to program staff managing Diabetes projects for the Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative. Opportunities for integrating these projects with the CHIC initiative were discussed.
    
    
• Queensland Self Management Alliance (QSMA):  GPQ has continued to work as a member of the Queensland Self Management Alliance (QSMA) and in collaboration with CHAG, QLD Health, ECCQ, and QAIHC to support the translation of self management knowledge into practice.  See Self Management for information on activities and achievements.
  
  
• Funding application to the Department of Health and Aging approved to be an active member of the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and State Based Organisations (SBO’s) Chronic Disease Self-Management Support Network.  See Self Management for further information.
  
  
• Statewide Chronic Disease Mapping and Consultation commenced to develop a profile of chronic disease activities and systems that are currently in place across the Division Network and CHAG agencies. Information collated is being analysed in order to identify gaps and areas of need for targeted funding and resources across the primary health care sector to inform future investments and evidence-based strategic decision making in chronic disease prevention and management. See Chronic Disease Mapping and Consultation for further details.
  
  
• Research has been completed in each of the identified key priority areas. This has culminated in the development of research papers detailing the recommendations for practice enhancement.  A number of briefs summarising the key findings have been prepared to assist dissemination of the information and can be located on the Collaborative Research Hub webpage. The research papers will be submitted for publication in relevant journals.
  
  
• Queensland Divisions Forum – The inaugural Statewide CHIC Forum was held in conjunction with the QLD Divisions Forum in February.  This Forum:
  • showcased the progress of Partnership Councils
  • provided knowledge of the range of initiatives funded through CHIC
  • introduced the statewide evaluation of CHIC
  • provided networking opportunities
  • enabled specific professional development through capacity building sessions
    
    
• Evaluation of the Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative (CLPI) has been undertaken and provided feedback in relation to the effectiveness of the strategy in relation to the development of partnerships and the realisation of program objectives.  Further information has been gathered to identify measures that will enhance the sustainability of the projects developed under this initiative.  See Capacity for Local Partnerships for further information.
  
  
• Maintained regular meetings with the Non-Government Leadership Team, linking with the Queensland Health Chronic Disease Coordinators and more recently with the Chronic Disease Implementation Team. GPQ shared resources with all Coordinators to enable a consistent approach to undertaking an environmental scan. E.g. Tools developed for the Chronic Disease mapping activities.
  
  
• Inform evaluation processes of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005 -2015 via ongoing representation to the Chronic Disease Evaluation Strategy
  
  
• Implementation of the communication plan including:
  1. Regular chronic disease updates to Divisions, CHAG agencies and key stakeholders.
  2. Access to ‘Fact Sheets’ which can be downloaded from the Chronic Disease page of the GPQ website.  The fact sheets allow sharing of key information, resources and initiatives that support Divisions to promote and support chronic disease prevention and management strategies to members.
  3. A regularly updated webpage linking you to the latest information, evidence, education, training, funding opportunities, resources, tools and partnership opportunities as they become available.