SearchPrimary Sense transition
The PHN is shifting from PenCS to Primary Sense as a data extraction application. Primary Sense is the most widely used non-commercial electronic clinical decision support tool in Australia and helps general practice staff effectively manage primary care.
Primary Sense offers many advantages, including:
- Easy to use, with automatic updates and no extensive training
- Easier to generate accreditation reporting and meet PIP QI documentation requirements
- Provides ‘one click’ reports about issues that matter to GPs
- Classifies patients into different ‘levels’ of complexity (using Johns Hopkins University ACG System)
- Real-time data in reports and alerts because it extracts new information every three minutes
- Increased data security, through the PHN-owned Primary Health Insights platform
- Reduced overheads and reduced impact on general practice computer systems
Primary Sense is free for general practices, and is compatible with Best Practice or Medical Director clinical information systems. Practices using these systems will be transitioned to Primary Sense between now and June 2026.
The PHN will work individually with practices not using either of those clinical information systems to coordinate an alternative approach for data extraction.
We will shortly be issuing communications to each general practice ahead of the transition. These emails will include more detail about what is involved and ask you to provide some pre-transition information about your practice via an online form. This information will help us to tailor the transition for your practice.
Introducing Primary Sense
Primary Sense Resources
Video walk throughs
- Making the most of Primary Sense - GCPHN GP webinar (43:40)
- Johns Hopkins ACG System in Primary Sense (2:40)
- Understanding Primary Sense and the Johns Hopkins ACG System (3:33)
- How to use Primary Sense GP prompts (2:34)
- How to use Primary Sense medication safety alerts (1:35)
Additional videos on the Primary Sense website.
- Data Security in Primary Sense (1:54)
- How to optout Patients in Primary Sense (1:32)
- Primary Sense in practice Accreditation and PIP QI measures (6:15)
- Childhood Immunisations Report in Primary Sense (6:47)
- MyMedicare - Voluntary Patient Registration (6:54)
Quick reference guides
Additional user guides and documents on the Primary Sense website.
Interested in finding out more?
If you are interested in finding out more about Primary Sense, please contact your Primary Care Liaison Officer.
