Implementing Anticipatory Care Plans in general practice: a practice approach to improving the health literacy of the community and reducing reliance on emergency services during after-hour periods.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to trial a general practice approach to improve the health literacy of patients at risk of utilising medical, emergency or ambulatory services during after-hour periods in Australia. It did so by introducing an anticipatory after-hours care component in all new and revised care plans, known as an Anticipatory Care Plan (AntCaP).The pilot was conducted over a 6-month period in 2013-14. Thirteen general practices were recruited via expressions of interest and were paid a financial grant. Key practice staff were required to attend three workshops conducted by a Medicare Local and to be involved in the evaluation process. A pragmatic qualitative and quantitative evaluation process was conducted during the pilot, and ceased 6 months after the final workshop. The results indicate that the integration of AntCaPs into general practice was generally well received by practice staff and their patients, with early indications that AntCaPs can influence patient behaviour in the after-hours period.