ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 185
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Assisting people with opiate dependence in a small primary
care general practice setting at cohealth Laverton
Dr Heather Dowd
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cohealth
Prescribing opiate substitution therapy and assisting people with opiate dependence occurs primarily
in the general practice setting in Victoria. This presentation will focus on the learnings of providing
general practice care to people who use drugs over a period of five years from within one site of a
large community-based not-for-profit community health service. Community health services strive to
improve health and wellbeing for all and lead the way in reducing health inequity in partnership with
people and the communities in which they live.
The Laverton site has two part-time GPs treating over 100 people with opioid dependencies within
a mainstream general practice setting. The service provides more than just pharmacotherapy. The
introduction of a care co-ordinator role (currently is a nurse) has facilitated linking people attending
the clinic with other health and social service providers both inside and outside of cohealth. The care
co-ordinator and GP work together to assist complex clients, and this allows GP more time to focus
on clinical tasks.
The development of client trust with the service has been essential in providing additional healthcare,
including heart health, chronic skin infections, sexual health, intimate partner violence and hepatitis C
treatment. In settings without a care co-ordinator role, these aspects of health are often overlooked.
Flexibility of service delivery is key both in terms of range of treatments provided and style of care.
Telephone and telehealth services have had overall a beneficial effect on service delivery. The
involvement of reception staff and their understanding of drug use issues and treatments also improve
the client journey. This is beyond the traditional GP service model. Community health, along with
Aboriginal controlled health services, address specific health and social needs of individuals, families
and local communities. These organisations recognise health inequities and target services for
vulnerable groups.
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