MEDIA RELEASE RURAL PATIENTS HAVE ASSUMED SENSE OF SAFETY IN GENERAL PRACTICE Patients going to the doctor in rural general practice clinics have an assumed sense of safety that could be a threat to their ability to help improve safety. New research by the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health (GGT UDRH) has found that when patients are in a trusting relationship with their GP they assume the care provided is safe. Research leader Andrea Hernan from the GGT UDRH said the default position of trust was based on the nature of general practice creating relationships between patients and doctors. However, Ms Hernan described this assumed sense of safety as a concern, “given that general practice is the first point of contact for most people seeking medical care, and its high volume of repeat interactions and frequency of adverse events”. “Trust…may mask the patients ability to identify possible threats to safety and hence reduce risk awareness,” the study states. “Patients reverting to a default position of trust when they believe they do not have sufficient knowledge or skills, or are not in a position to adequately comment on safety, is problematic because patient awareness of and involvement in safety has been shown to improve clinical effectiveness, health outcomes and satisfaction with care.” The study’s findings directly contest previous research, which found that patients who have experienced incidents in hospital settings could accurately identify and report on safety issues and make recommendations on improvements to safety. Ms Hernan said the general public had an awareness and understanding of safety in health care due to increased research, media attention and political interest. However, much of this research was in hospital settings and may not be applicable to general practices, where issues of trust, vulnerability and preferences for interpersonal skills are prominent over safety. The study also revealed that interaction and communication between the patient and the GP is important to reduce feelings of vulnerability and ensure that patients feel comfortable and confident with their GP. The study targeted rural and regional patients and carers from south-west Victoria who were frequent users of general practice, such as those with a chronic condition, on repeat medication, older people and mothers with children. Ms Hernan said the study demonstrated the value of incorporating the patient voice into safety research. Further research is currently being undertaken to determine how patients and carers can effectively engage in and assist with improving safety in general practice. The paper, Patients and carers perceptions of safety in rural general practice’ by Andrea L Hernan, Dr Christine Walker, Professor Jeffrey Fuller, Associate Professor Julie Johnson, Dr Amr Abou Elnour and Professor James Dunbar, has been published in the Medical Journal of Australia and can be seen at https://mja.au/journal/2014/201/3/supplement. The GGT UDRH is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and is a partnership between Flinders and Deakin Universities. To arrange an interview or photos please contact Rick Bayne on 0418 140 489
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:22:44 +0000