For GPs and nurse practitioners

ASPREN participation is designed to integrate seamlessly into routine clinical care. As a GP or nurse practitioner, your role focuses on identifying eligible patients presenting with influenza-like illness and recording this in the patient’s medical record.

For reporters participating in virological surveillance, this involves collecting respiratory swabs from selected patients, as follows:
•    Inform the patient the purpose of taking the swab and seeking informed consent
•    Collect a respiratory swab from eligible patients
•    Assist them to complete the surveillance survey
•    Arrange sample transport using provided kits and logistics 
•    Swabbing can be performed by the GP, nurse practitioner, or practice nurse 
This component takes approximately 10–15 minutes per patient and is financially supported by ASPREN, including provision of swab kits, postage and laboratory testing fees.

Benefits of participating
•    Strengthen your understanding of infectious disease epidemiology, vaccine effectiveness, and emerging strains 
•    Access timely, practice-relevant data on what is happening in your community and across Australia
•    Gain access to up-to-date information on circulating illnesses, supporting more confident patient assessment and management
•    Contribute to research publications and national surveillance outputs
•    Receive remuneration for virological surveillance (swab collection) activities  
•    CPD time for GPs: ASPREN is an approved CPD activity with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. Participation can contribute to annual CPD requirements, with opportunities to accrue hours across multiple CPD activity types
•    CPD for NPs: Use ASPREN participation toward self-directed learning and CPD activities
•    Access to additional CPD opportunities, specific to infectious diseases.