HealthPathways Update (December 2017) - Focus on Skin Cancer (Melanoma and Sun Smart Behaviours)
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HealthPathways Update

Focus on Skin Cancer
December 2017

What's New?


New pathways launched since 31 October 2017 include:

Child Health  Dermatology Cardiology Haematology


Paediatric Orthopaedics

Neurology

Urology

Gastroenterology

Gynaecology

Sexual Health


Coming Soon!

The ACT & Southern NSW team is continuously working towards updating, reviewing and localising new pathways.

Right now we are working on pathways in the following clinical streams: 
  
 
  • Child Health                 
  • Sexual Health
  • Gynaecology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Breastfeeding
  • Haematology 
  • Allied Health  


Skin Cancer - Melanoma and Sun Smart Behaviour

 

In response to the Cancer Council of Australia’s National Skin Cancer Action Week 19 - 25 November, this HealthPathways Update will focus on Skin Cancer, Melanoma and SunSmart Behaviours.

The National Skin Cancer Action Week is recognised every year to serve as a continual reminder of the dangers of poor sun smart behaviour as well as the importance of regular check-ups, consumer skin health literacy and early detection.

As the temperature rises in the summer months, so does our risk of developing skin cancer. The Cancer Council states that two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.


The Cancer Council’s latest national survey on sun protection found the percentage of adults effectively protecting themselves from the sun has decreased and that more than 2.7 million adults admit to getting sunburnt on the weekend.

For more information visit the Cancer Council Australia Website - National Skin Cancer Action Week 2017
 

ACT & SNSW HealthPathways provides information on Melanoma, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, including assessment, management and referral options available in the ACT and SNSW. To access this information follow the links below: 

 



  HealthPathways FAQs - The Myth Busters Edition!
 

 

Have you ever wondered.....

 
"Is HealthPathways only for new GPs or those who don’t know the region?"

"Can HealthPathways see what I am looking at when I log on?"

"Why is there New Zealand information?"

 Find out the answers below!
 
 

Is HealthPathways only for new GPs or those who don’t know the region?


HealthPathways is useful for all health professionals, at all stages in their career. The pathways on our site are developed in collaboration with local specialists, so they are more than just an abridged guideline, but also provide current and local tools to assess and manage patients. Some pathways also include dosage information within the pathway so the information you need is all in the one spot.
 
Additionally, the referral pages contain location specific services (both private and public) that may be new to the region, current phone and fax numbers, access to online patient resources and contact details of local specialists who are happy to provide advice over the phone.
 
Can HealthPathways see what I am looking at when I log on?

The HealthPathways platform does collect usage data about page views, and sessions. The information we collect identifies which pages are most commonly viewed, and which professional groups are using the site. For example, from 13 to 17 November 2017, 63% of people who logged onto the site were GPs or GP Registrars. From the site usage data, we cannot see details about what state you are from, which practice you are in or which individual Dr has logged on – this would be a breach of privacy.
 
Why is there New Zealand Information?

 

The HealthPathways model originates from New Zealand, and 2 years ago only 60 pathways on our site were ‘localised’ to the ACT and SNSW region. We now have over 360 pathways and referral pages that are specific to our local region, with more pathways coming online each week. There is still some NZ information on our site, however it is still clinically relevant and often can be applied to patient care in Australia. We are working to localise as much content as possible. If there is a specific pathway you are interested in seeing localised, let us know via the send feedback button!
 
If you would like to look at all of the FAQs
please follow this link here

ACT & SNSW HealthPathways - Name in Lights!
 

The ACT & SNSW HealthPathways team is currently producing a series of videos to aid in promoting HealthPathways amongst health professionals in our region, led by Dr Louise Tuckwell, with James Landrigan from Medcast.

Filming commenced in early November with the final product ready for screening early in the New Year. The three videos have been developed with the following objectives:

Video 1 - To promote HealthPathways to new or potential users of the site, as well as educate existing users of the wider benefits of HealthPathways.

Video 2 - To streamline the review process by easily and concisely explaining the structure of the pathways, editing nuances and expectations of reviewers.

Video 3 - To educate ACT Health / SNSW LHD employees on the benefits of HealthPathways.

Special thanks to the staff and doctors at Bungendore Medical Centre, Gadhu Family Health Moruya, Dr Jeff Fletcher, Dr Tanya Robertson, Matthew Stephenson, Janice Dalton and Helen Zacharewicz from Queanbeyan Health Service Physio and OT Department, Penny Sillis and all of those who have contributed their time and effort to the project.    

 

Left: Dr Tanya Robertson and James Landrigan ‘on-set’ (aka Tanya’s office)
Right: James Landrigan and Dr Louise Tuckwell voice recording in the Moruya office.
GP to GP Colleague Referral Pathway

 

A reminder to provide your Additional Training and Special Interest information to populate the upcoming GP colleague referral pathway. This information will be published on ACT & SNSW HealthPathways and be available to all registered users.

To provide your details, simply complete the relevant online form based on where you practice: click here for ACT or here for SNSW.


Protect Yourself - Be Sun Smart With The Cancer Council

 

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Two in three Australians (two in three men and three in five women) will develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. More than 440,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer and more than 2000 Australians die each year from skin cancer.
 
But this doesn’t need to be the case. Nearly all skin cancers can be prevented by protecting yourself from the sun and most skin cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early. Ninety five percent of melanoma can be prevented by protecting yourself from the sun.

In 2014 – 2016, the Cancer Council funded a research team led by Associate Professor Scott Byrne based at The University of Sydney which has discovered a vital mechanism that shows how cells in the immune system are hijacked by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, causing them to suppress immunity and help tumour development. Their findings could lead to a new treatment for aggressive skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer Council NSW urges everyone to take action to protect their skin – during recreational activity, while working outside and any outdoor activity when UV levels are three and above. When UV levels are thee and above the Cancer Council recommends that we use a combination of sun protection measures to reduce our risk of skin cancer: clothing, sunscreen, hats, shade and sunglasses.

 

 

Kate Brett: Community Engagement Coordinator 
Cancer Council NSW - Far South Coast Region 

 

You can check daily UV levels on Cancer Council’s SunSmart app.

 
Join us at ACT & SNSW Healthpathways! 
 
Current vacancies: ACT & SNSW – GP Registrar Positions
 
ACT & SNSW HealthPathways is offering two GP registrar placements in first term 2018 – one based at the ACT PHN and the other based at COORDINARE in Moruya.

Each placement is offered at 0.2 FTE (7.6 hours per week) as a non-clinical Extended Skills training post with GP Synergy Ltd, at GPT3 and GPT3+ levels.

Both positions are currently open on GP Synergy’s GPrime site, all interested registrars are encouraged to apply!  For further information please contact the Program Manager on 0437 960 935 or see the vacancies as advertised on GPrime.

 
End of year message from the team


The ACT & SNSW HealthPathways team would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope you have a safe and joyful holiday.

The end of the year is a time for reflection and celebration. ACT & SNSW HealthPathways would like to take this moment to thank everyone who has been involved in making the amazing landmark of 368 pathways now featured on HealthPathways possible. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of former team members and welcome our new team members.

In the New Year we are looking forward to further collaboration with stakeholders and as always welcome feedback via our Send Feedback button featured on each pathway.
 

 

See you in 2018!!

Using HealthPathways
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