Which patients
Who a case conference can be held for
All Medicare eligible patients are eligible for this service.
Explanatory note AN.0.49
Who it is for
Overwhelmingly, doctors use case conferencing to improve the care of their chronic disease patients
A care plan is not a prerequisite.
Common cases
The patients who benefit most
These cohorts benefit most — but any patient with a chronic condition or in residential aged care is eligible for a GP-coordinated case conference.
Geriatric
Falls risk, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, frailty, dementia, Parkinson's.
Chronic pain
Osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, CRPS, neuropathic pain.
Diabetes
Blood glucose instability, poor adherence, limb ischaemia, neuropathy.
Cardiovascular
Heart failure, post-stroke care, atrial fibrillation, hypertension.
Mental health
Treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders.
Where they are
Patients qualify in three settings
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In the community
At home, or in supported accommodation.
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In residential aged care
A resident of an aged care facility.
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Leaving hospital
Before the patient goes home.
Other families
Some conditions have items of their own
- 21 itemsMental health
- From 1 July 2023 there is a full set of items for organising or taking part in a conference about a patient’s mental health care, with a series each for GPs, prescribed medical practitioners, psychiatrists and paediatricians, and allied health.
- 3 itemsComplex neurodevelopmental & disability
- Allied health professionals have their own participation items for a patient under 25 diagnosed with, or suspected of having, a complex neurodevelopmental condition such as autism, or an eligible disability.
- 4 itemsCancer
- Specific items exist for conferences that develop a multidisciplinary treatment plan for patients with cancer.
- 4 itemsHeart valve suitability
- Specific conference items exist for discussions that decide whether a patient is suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation or mitral valve repair.