SearchPrimary Sense transition
The PHN is shifting from PenCS to Primary Sense. Primary Sense is the most widely used non-commercial electronic data extraction and clinical decision support tool in Australia, delivering real-time, data-driven insights that help practices provide safer, smarter, and more proactive patient care.
Primary Sense empowers GPs, nurses, and practice managers to work from a single source of truth, fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement.
What it does and why it matters for your practice
Primary Sense seamlessly integrates with clinical software (Best Practice, Medical Director) to support your entire practice team.
- Real-Time Patient Insights Access patient data during consultations for immediate clinical decision support.
- Advanced Risk Stratification Uses the Johns Hopkins ACG System to identify and manage high-risk patients.
- Optional Medication Safety Alerts Provides real-time alerts and care prompts to improve patient safety.
- Streamlined QI & PIP QI Streamlined reporting on PIP QI improvement measures.
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 in the first half of 2026.
The PHN will work individually with practices not using either of those clinical information systems to coordinate an alternative approach for data extraction.
Introducing Primary Sense
QI bites and clinical insights
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.
