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PHO Performance Programme

Smoking cessation beyond the ABC: Tailoring strategies to high-risk groups

Smoking rates are declining in New Zealand as more and more people are successfully quitting. However, rates remain unacceptably... View Article

October 2014

The ankle-brachial pressure index: An under-used tool in primary care?

Calculating a patient’s ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) is a simple, low-cost and non-invasive way of detecting peripheral... View Article

April 2014

The Integrated Performance and Incentive Framework: An introduction

In October, 2013, the first draft of the Integrated Performance and Incentive Framework (IPIF) was released. It has been developed... View Article

December 2013

Five tips for getting the most out of your Practice Management System

Your Practice Management System (PMS) is a powerful tool. When used well, consistently and linked to decision support software,... View Article

November 2013

How to increase the uptake of cervical screening: A profile of success

A cervical smear test is an effective method for the early detection of cervical cancer, and for reducing cancer mortality. However,... View Article

October 2013

Hypertension in Adults: The silent killer

Hypertension is associated with a wide-range of cardiovascular and end-organ diseases. It is a frequent finding among patients... View Article

August 2013

Improving glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes: Expanding the primary care toolbox

Most people with type 2 diabetes require regular and intensive management to achieve individualised HbA1c targets. Patients should... View Article

June 2013

Smoking prevention and cessation in adolescents: Changing futures, saving lives

On average, New Zealanders who smoke try their first cigarette between the ages of 11 and 12 years. There are large ethnic disparities... View Article

June 2013

H1N1 influenza vaccination and the risk of childhood narcolepsy

IN MARCH, 2012 A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the rate of childhood narcolepsy associated with the influenza vaccine Pandemrix (GlaxoSmithKline)... View Article

April 2013

The 2013 influenza season: new strains, new vaccines

The dominant influenza virus to circulate in New Zealand this “flu season” is likely to be an A(H3N2) virus, similar to the virus... View Article

March 2013

Encouraging smoke-free pregnancies: the role of primary care

One in ten New Zealand women smoke during pregnancy and this figure is significantly higher among Māori and women living in lower... View Article

February 2013

When to use fasting glucose to diagnose people with type II diabetes

Until recently, fasting plasma glucose, and in some situations, oral glucose tolerance testing, have been the investigations of... View Article

December 2012

Care pathways for long-term conditions: Using type 2 diabetes as an example

A care pathway is a tool that enables practitioners to provide better health care and better patient outcomes at a lower cost.... View Article

October 2012

Assessing cardiovascular risk in people with high clinical risk factors

Cardiovascular risk assessment tools automatically adjust risk to greater than 20% for people with high risk factors, e.g. a prior... View Article

September 2012

How to plan a catch-up immunisation

Although immunisation rates among Māori and Pacific peoples continue to increase, there is still room for improvement, as... View Article

August 2012

Upfront: The new face of diabetes care in New Zealand

ON 1 JULY, 2012 the “Get Checked” programme, under which diabetes follow-up care in New Zealand is funded, will be replaced by... View Article

May 2012

Seasonal influenza vaccinations: the 2012 edition

The 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contains the same strains as in previous years, however, annual vaccination is still necessary.... View Article

April 2012

The new role of HbA1c in diagnosing type 2 diabetes

A position statement released by the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) now recommends the use of glycated... View Article

February 2012

PHO Performance Programme - six years on

The PHO Performance Programme was established in 2005 to improve the health of people enrolled in general practices in New Zealand... View Article

December 2011

Smoking status and cessation support

The PHO Performance Programme aims to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare services in... View Article

November 2011

Diabetes follow-up: what are the PHO Performance Programme indicators and how are they best achieved?

The purpose of the PHO Performance Programme is to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare... View Article

October 2011

Diabetes detection: what are the PHO Performance Programme indicators and how are they best achieved?

The purpose of the PHO Performance Programme is to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare... View Article

September 2011

Cardiovascular disease risk assessment: what are the PHO Performance Programme indicators and how are they best achieved?

The PHO Performance Programme is a quality improvement initiative which aims to improve health and reduce disparities among people... View Article

August 2011

Seasonal influenza vaccination: changes for 2011

The seasonal influenza vaccine for 2011 protects against the same virus strains as in 2010. However, people who were vaccinated... View Article

April 2011

Increasing the uptake of breast screening

Significant progress has been made in increasing the rate of breast cancer screening in New Zealand. However, Māori women still... View Article

February 2011

Update on smoking cessation

The rate of smoking among New Zealanders is slowly declining, however, more work needs to be done to further reduce this number.... View Article

December 2010

Overcoming barriers to cervical screening in Pacific women

Cervical screening rates in New Zealand have continued to increase following the introduction of the National Cervical Screening... View Article

November 2010

Immunisation in Pacific children: a success story

Childhood immunisation plays an important role in the health of children, their families and the wider population. View Article

November 2010

Screening and management of “The Diabetic Foot”

Foot ulceration and damage is one of the most common complications of diabetes and without regular screening and effective management,... View Article

October 2010

Screening for diabetic retinopathy in primary care

Sight-threatening retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes and is largely preventable through regular retinal screening... View Article

August 2010

Immunisation in children by age two years

An important focus of the PHO Performance Programme is to ensure that all children in New Zealand are receiving their necessary... View Article

July 2010

PHO Performance Programme - high needs populations

The PHO Performance Programme recognises the increased health needs of Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in lower socioeconomic... View Article

June 2010

Care of stroke survivors

The aim of stroke rehabilitation is for the patient to regain the best level of health, activity and participation possible within... View Article

April 2010

Time is brain: emergency treatment of stroke

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in New Zealand, with approximately 22 strokes occurring each day. Stroke should... View Article

March 2010

Smoking related cancer morbidity and mortality

The majority of people with cancer will initially present to general practice, therefore GPs have an excellent opportunity to... View Article

December 2009

Breast screening - achieving equity

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand women. The national target for breast screening is for 70% of... View Article

November 2009

Cervical smears - achieving equity

After the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Programme, rates of cervical screening increased and the overall incidence... View Article

September 2009

Smoking cessation for Māori

Te aukatinga kai paipa Encouraging Māori who smoke to stop is a key health priority. The more times smoking cessation advice... View Article

July 2009

Upfront: The funding maze

A clinical pathologist’s perspective. View Article

June 2009

The social responsibility of smokers

While people continue to smoke, they must be aware of the health risk they pose to others. Second hand smoke is considered a significant... View Article

April 2009

Why people smoke

There are many reasons why people begin smoking, continue to smoke and find it hard to quit. Clinicians who want to discourage... View Article

February 2009

Assessing cardiovascular disease risk

New PHO Performance indicators announced. GPs experiences of cardiovascular risk assessment. Finding the best approach to CVD... View Article

October 2008

A Māori/Pacific nursing service in a mainstream PHO

A PHO shares its experience and outcomes of establishing a unique service targeted at Māori and Pacific patients and whanau. View Article

December 2007

Ischaemic cardiovascular disease

The purpose of the PHO Performance Programme is to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for all people using primary... View Article

June 2011