In the fast-paced world of general practice, a North Queensland general practitioner (GP) is taking back her time and helping more patients in the process.
Cairns practice, Southcare Medical, has recently implemented Inca Evo, a new streamlined version of online care planning - and is fast becoming a super user of the platform, which is fully funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).
Southcare Medical GP Dr Michelle Elliott-Darlow loves it, saying: "Thank goodness for Inca Evo - we have been extremely busy the past few weeks, but we have completed all of our care plans."
Dr Elliott-Darlow said in a short amount of time, Inca Evo had changed how the practice approached care planning for patients.
In the four months the practice has been using the platform, the team has developed numerous patient care plans.
"It has really reduced our paperwork and admin workload," she said. "We now have less concern for the time it takes to complete our plans.
"Previously, it could take hours to complete a care plan, and we would feel rushed and worried. Now, it takes less than an hour.
"Inca Evo has reduced time in producing, printing, and sending referrals and enhanced primary care forms to allied health professionals, and it gives us peace of mind that the plans reach the intended providers."
Dr Elliott-Darlow said the program's most helpful features were ease of referrals and suggested patient goals according to medical conditions.
"Referrals are sent electronically; one click and the referral and plan is off to the allied health service provider," she said
"There's no duplication of tasks, it forces you to set SMART goals, and it saves paper and admin time too.
"It's definitely changing how we work and giving us time back in our days to care for more people."
Dr Elliott-Darlow said she would recommend Inca Evo to other GPs and healthcare professionals who ultimately wanted to reduce their admin time.
