Practice management, training and support
Practice management is a critical discipline that ensures the efficient delivery of medical services. In independent private practice, this skill and knowledge can be shared between the practice owners and a practice manager.
Practice managers will usually have
- detailed knowledge of Medicare compliance requirements
- expert knowledge of the practice management software
- advanced skills in operating a business enterprise and workforce management
- the ability to communicate seamlessly with clinicians and patients.
Practice management also covers the responsibility for leading action to implement and maintain practice accreditation with the RACGP General Practice Standards, including continuous improvement strategies. This will require the ability to analyse and interpret clinical performance data and the ability to engage clinicians and practice staff in process improvement.
A practice manager in a general practice operated by a hospital and health service (HHS) will also need to consider policy and operational requirements set by Queensland Health and their HHS. They may also need to work autonomously without the detailed involvement of a practice principal as typically seen in an independent private practice.
Queensland County Practice provides a statewide support service within Queensland Health to give advice, consultancy support and training to HHSs operating private general practices.
General practice training and support
Training and ongoing professional development are essential in ensuring a general practice operates in an efficient and compliant manner.
Services Australia maintains extensive resources and e-learning modules, including:
- how Medicare and PBS works
- digital billing
- billing for DVA patients
- how to access and maximise practice incentives
- how to use the Health Professionals Online Service portal.
These resources provide a self-paced learning opportunity for emergent practice managers.
Primary health networks (PHNs) are available to assist practices with accreditation and quality improvement and offer their own online learning modules, webinars and resources as well as sourcing links to content available through other support agencies and professional associations. Most PHNs maintain a calendar of events.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) provide comprehensive programs of professional development education for GPs.
The programs include various digital and in-person activities targeting GPs at all stages of their careers as well as leadership and development programs supported by experienced mentors. These organisations also provide targeted education on topics such as dementia, domestic violence, aged care and building cultural safety and effectiveness.
Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) provides webinars covering various topics including:
- accreditation
- risk and business continuity
- vaccine storage
- telehealth
- managing difficult patients.
With a focus on primary practice nursing, the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) offers various education and event-based training programs, including a transition to practice program for nurses who are new to primary care and advanced training in chronic disease management and nurse-led clinics.
Practice management training
TAFE offers various healthcare training courses, many of which can be studied online. Practice managers could obtain these qualifications:
- Diploma of Practice Management
- Certificate IV Health Administration
- Certificate III in Health Administration
- Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration).
The Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) offers professional support through education, networking, webinars, events and conferences. Professional membership requires ongoing professional development.
Business skills
Professional development and award programs are available to grow business skills, with most universities and TAFE colleges providing courses in business and commerce.
Similarly, there are commercial education providers offering small business and entrepreneur courses, workshops and webinars, with mixed relevance to general practice.
Business Queensland, a Queensland Government initiative, provides resources to help with starting and running a small business, employing people and accessing support and small business grants.
The RACGP has recognised the unique and challenging demands on medical practitioners in becoming a practice principal and has developed a general practice business toolkit. It comprises 6 modules to assist practice owners and practice managers to establish, market and operate a general practice business and to manage the practice’s finances and staff.
Each module outlines topical information across subjects with references to the applicable standard for general practice and includes tips, case studies, webinars and calculators, though some content will be less relevant to HHS-operated general practices.
These modules are also highly recommended for clinicians and hospital management who are new to operating a general practice business.
The RACGP also hosts an annual practice owners conference to bring practice owners together, provide insights on the future of general practice and delivers sessions on practice finances and team management. The conference is open to members and non-members.