Databases at general practice clinics across Australia are incomplete and missing basic patient information, according to an adjunct associate professor at the University of Canberra.
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Dr Paresh Dawda, who is also a senior research fellow at the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, said changes to routine GP visits could improve health outcomes for all Australians.
"When we look at research from around the country we find the population health data on weight, height, body mass index and risk factors are not collected consistently by GPs," he said.
"If we can use this data to focus on prevention rather than treatment then that's a better outcome for everyone."
Dr Dawda has been awarded $59,800 by the HCF Research Foundation and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to develop a pilot project for better data retention.
The project will test whether "patient empowerment pods" could be created in GP waiting rooms to collect patient data before they meet with their doctor.
"It is uncertain what the pod will do and part of the research project will be to design it with clinicians and consumers to meet their needs," he said.
"It will likely be an interactive pod where people may be able to weigh themselves, record their height, or be asked about certain risk factors such as diabetes."
Dr Dawda said his interest in the project began when he realised efforts to encourage doctors to record information were not working.
"The idea is that once data is collected it can then issue patients with an easy to read report card that gives them a degree of empowerment and information about themselves," he said.
"They can also use the report card as a conversation starter when they have their appointment with the doctor."
Another $55,000 was awarded to Dr Christopher Pearce from Monash University, who hopes to link separate data sets to gain a better understanding of a patients journey through the healthcare system.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners patron Professor Peter Mudge said both grants acknowledged the role GPs play in medical advancements.
"GPs have the capability to build research evidence that is necessary to deliver the highest quality health outcomes to all Australians," he said.
HCF Research Foundation chair Lisa McIntyre said the projects would contribute to the improvement of chronic disease management and the quality of primary care.
"These grants are extremely significant at a time when policy-makers and the health care industry are looking at ways to improve management of chronic illness at the primary care level," she said.
