The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, announced funding for the project that is led by Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite, Founding Director of the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) at Macquarie University.

This project will transform the level of evidence-based care that is delivered to Australian children, Professor Braithwaite said.

Each priority area has a substantial gap between what is evidence-based care and what is delivered, as revealed by earlier research led by Professor Braithwaite published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The three priority areas are outlined below:

• Asthma: 54 per cent of care that is provided by GPs to children is in line with evidence or guidelines
• Type 1 diabetes: 54 per cent of GP care to children is in line with evidence or guidelines
• Antibiotic overuse: GPs inappropriately prescribed antibiotics for 85 per cent of visits for low-risk earache and sore throat.

The project will involve working with national and international stakeholders including patients and their families, clinicians, researchers, and key state and national bodies.

“Most children will visit the GP or paediatrician at least once every year, and it is important that they receive the best possible care,” Professor Braithwaite said.

Research shows for example that despite availability of guidelines and effective treatment, only 15 per cent of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes reach recommended glycaemic targets and as a result have life expectancy reduced by 12 to 16 years, and a 30-fold increased risk of heart attack in early adulthood.

“This project is not a reflection on individual GPs who are doing their best with the application of great skill for children and families. It is an acknowledgement that practitioners face systems problems, and that overall, we could deliver better care to children if we follow best practice guidelines more often,” Professor Braithwaite said.

The project team includes researchers from:

• AIHI
• Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
• MQ Health
• Perth Children’s Hospital Telethon Kids Institute
• University of NSW.

Partner organisations include:

• Asthma Australia
• Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (PHN)
• North Coast PHN
• Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
• South-Western Sydney PNH
• WA Primary Health Alliance
• Western NSW PHN
• Western Queensland PHN
• Western Victoria PHN.

Contact Chrissy Clay for more information or Dr Georgia Fisher to explore PhD scholarship opportunities associated with this project.