During each of their three GP training terms, registrars complete online encounter forms for 60 consecutive consultations (they do this at about the mid-point of each GP term).
GP registrars are provided with a Registrar Feedback Report that compares their consultations to the larger group of registrars and, in some cases, national GP data. Registrars are encouraged to use the feedback report to reflect on their clinical practice and educational needs and to share this information with their supervisors to promote shared consideration of training progress and of potential gaps in their areas of clinical experience and learning.
Type of data collected
ReCEnT routinely collects data in several broad areas:
- demographic data about participating registrars
- demographic data about the general practice they’re training in
- consultation data including patient’s age, patient’s gender, duration of the consult, the patient’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, Medicare items billed and type of billing
- clinical problem data including clinical problems and diagnosis, medications prescribed or recommended, pathology tests ordered, referrals made and follow-ups scheduled.
Depending upon current research projects there may be capacity to collect further specific data, e.g. targeted data on antibiotic prescribing or opiate and benzodiazepine prescribing.