Focus on GPs with a Special Interest

Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner.

Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.

Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI.

“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.

“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”

The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.

Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges.

“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.

“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”

To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.

“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said.

The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.

The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:

• orthopaedic
• diabetes
• epilepsy
• older persons.

Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital.

For more information on the opportunity visit the Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page or to get in contact with the project team email MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au.