Better diabetes management can start with a simple phone call thanks to Diabetes Connect, our new phone service directly linking rural GPs with endocrinologist colleagues.
Three busy rural GPs say that the new service has allowed them to talk through complex cases with a colleague, while saving patients long journeys and longer wait times to see hospital specialists.
“GPs don’t need the basics – we need specific, tailored advice.”
Dr Amanda Villis, Principal GP, Plantagenet Medical, Mount Barker (pictured, right, with Dr Caitlin Growden.)
“As in all rural WA towns, we are an exceptionally busy GP practice. Getting people to endocrinology clinics takes time and sometimes you need an answer right away. Traditionally I’d ring a tertiary hospital and speak to a registrar, but sometimes you don’t get more information than you already know, or you need to wait for a consultant to call you back.
I first used Diabetes Connect last year for some patient advice over a scheduled call. We then asked if someone could join a clinical meeting where we discuss cases, bounce ideas off each other and share knowledge, with our nurses and medical students joining in.
At that meeting, the endo gave us a lot of helpful tips and we found him enthusiastic and passionate about sharing his knowledge. What made a difference was that his advice was so specific. We don’t need the basics – we need it to be tailored to our existing knowledge and patients.
We’re not going to call about every patient with diabetes, and we’re not going to stop referring to an endo, but sometimes I need to ask a relatively complex question where the patient doesn’t have to be referred, or I need an answer quickly about insulin, for example, and that’s what this service is so good for.”
“Diabetes Connect was like a little masterclass on the phone.”
Dr Indi Wijegoonewardene, Leonora Medical Centre, Eastern Goldfields
“I first called Diabetes Connect about a complex patient with complicated diabetes. It was like a little masterclass on the phone for me, where you’re learning on the run. I learned more about how to manage this patient, and I will know more when I see the next one.
Prior to this, if that situation arose, I would call colleagues in Kalgoorlie or an endo at Charlie’s. But those people are often hard to catch, and it takes time calling around.
Now it’s an official process where you can book time for a multi-disciplinary case conference (MDCC) or phone call, and it’s not rushed. It also works well for my patients. Having a Diabetes Connect consultant on the phone while they are with me, a GP they are familiar with, is helping us with issues around medication compliance, plus the patient hasn’t had to make the journey to Kalgoorlie or Perth.”
“Often all we need is the answer to just one question. Diabetes Connect provides that answer right away.”
Dr Ingrid Hanemaaijer, GP, Busselton Medical Practice
“Being able to get hold of a specialist easily can make patient care far more efficient. One of the biggest frustrations is when something isn’t working, but the specialist review isn’t for another six months. Often all we need is the answer to just one question, or there’s this single missing link. Diabetes Connect provides the option to get that answer right away.
I’ve used the service mostly for patients requiring insulin, where I’ve had to escalate or de-escalate within the injectible range. We also had Dr Ong link into one of our practice meetings to explain the service to our GPs, which we found really useful.”
If this was available across the whole health system, it would save a lot of time and angst. We know most of it as GPs, but sometimes we just need a bit of guidance.”
GPs can book a callback or MDCC through the Diabetes WA website.
If you’re a rural patient and this sounds like something you’d like to know more about, ask your GP about Diabetes Connect.
