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RACGP Sets Implanon Guidelines

Thur 1 July 2004

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has today issued a Checklist for Doctors and a Patient Consent Form to assist General Practitioners to reduce the risks associated with the use of the contraceptive Implanon.

MEDIA RELEASE

"RACGP Sets the Standard for Implanon"

1 July 2004

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has today issued a Checklist for Doctors and a Patient Consent Form to assist General Practitioners to reduce the risks associated with the use of the contraceptive Implanon.

The College developed these guidelines after risks were identified with the procedure of inserting the implant, and one of the RACGP’s National Standing Committees agreed to look at ways to reduce the risks to patients.

“The new Implanon guidelines and checklist are further evidence of the constructive role played by the College in improving standards to benefit both General Practitioners and our patients,” said Professor Michael Kidd, RACGP President.

The release of the checklist and consent form coincides with changes in insurance arrangements made by MDA National and United Medical Protection (UMP).

The amendments will see a change in the classification of Implanon from procedural GP to non-procedural GP, provided that General Practitioners use appropriate risk management strategies.

The insurance changes come into effect today.

The RACGP is pleased that one of the benefits of its release of these new guidelines is to reduce the cost of indemnity premiums for some General Practitioners who are involved in providing Implanon to their patients.

“The College is very aware of how ‘time poor’ General Practitioners can be, and that any guidelines take up precious time,” said Professor Kidd.

“The RACGP’s National Standing Committee for General Practice Advocacy and Support has tried to make the guidelines as practical and simple as possible.

“It is important for General Practitioners to take a systematic and consistent approach to the use of Implanon. The checklist and the consent form are tools to assist General Practitioners in ensuring that this advice is followed and that their patients are fully aware of the processes and issues involved.

“In support of the revised guidelines, the College is writing to each of the main General Practice medical education providers, informing them of the update.

“It is important that General Practitioners use the checklist only as a prompt, in conjunction with their own education on the correct use of Implanon.”

A copy of the “Doctors’ Checklist for the Insertion of Implanon” and “Patient Consent Form for the Insertion of Implanon” follow. Alternatively, please visit www.racgp.org.au/guidelines/implanon

For further media enquiries contact Jason Berek-Lewis, Communications Coordinator/ Journalist tel: 0404 055 265