The Stuart Patterson Lecture: The epidemiology of ignorance

Professor Paul Glasziou, Professor Chris Del Mar

More could be gained from acting on what we already know than through any single breakthrough in medical research. For example, less than one-quarter of diabetics are taking aspirin; exercise reduces mortality in heart failure but is rarely used; and brief counselling after trauma is ineffective but fashionable.

Evidence suggests that the billions of dollars invested yearly in traditional continuing medical education do not help. A useful alternative approach is to begin by considering the epidemiology of knowledge and ignorance, its prevalence, risk factors, prognosis, and treatment.

Cervical cancer prevention in the 1st century

Professor Ian Frazer, Australian of the Year 2006

Sponsored by CSL

Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer’s current research interests include immunoregulation, and immunotherapeutic vaccines for papilloma virus associated cancers, for which he holds research funding from several Australian and US funding bodies. Professor Frazer will talk about his research, findings and the future of treatment for HPV both in Australia and overseas.

Teledermatology - the way of the future?

Dr James Muir, Associate Professor Beverley Raasch

This keynote takes a look at teledermatology and its use in rural and remote areas. From his vast pioneering work in this field, Dr Muir will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of dermatology at a distance, and explain teledermatology. We asked delegates to send in their own cases for him to demonstrate remote diagnosis – teledermatology working live! Associate Professor Beverley Raasch will give a general practice perspective response to teledermatology.

Disaster planning

Commodore Robyn Walker, Wing Commander Karen Leshinskas

Because the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has capabilities which are not readily available in other sectors, such as the ability to provide services where there is limited or no infrastructure, or where civil disorder makes it unsafe, a secondary role of the ADF Health Service is the provision of health support to disasters both in Australia and overseas.

This session will provide an overview of how the ADF responds to requests for support by developing detailed plans, which support such activities, and a practical example of how this support is delivered. It will cover the planning of disaster response, and a presentation by personnel recently returned from service in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake.

Generation Y: the future of general practice

Peter Sheahan

Sponsored by UMP

The 4.5 million Australians born in 1978–1994 (Generation Y) are fast becoming the talent we need to establish a competitive advantage in the workplace. Medical practices will increasingly rely on their services to remain competitive into the future. They are difficult to attract, harder to manage, and are proving near impossible to retain. This need not be the case if we make the
effort to understand this emerging generation. Peter’s entertaining and informative session will:

• provide an insightful introduction to the differences between generations in your medical practice
• develop a framework for making better strategic decisions that relate to this generation
• help GPs and their practices to identify the biases and blind spots they may have about this generation
• explore how the mindset of Generation Y is trending upward and how it will redefine what it means to lead.

Be prepared for the unexpected

Dr Michael Holt

Sponsored by Burke Insurance Group

Dr Michael Holt had a beautiful family, fabulous home, terrific job and life was very good. As a pedestrian struck by a car, he suffered horrific and life threatening injuries. His life as he knew it was over in a split second. Dr Holt’s recovery and rehabilitation back to private practice as a surgeon was a very complicated process. He shares the story of his recovery with us from personal, family, professional and financial aspects. He stresses there are a few ‘morals to this story’ and that ‘we all need to be prepared for the unexpected.’

Cancer, lifestyle and chemotherapy - what does the evidence say?

Dr Ian Gawler OAM

In cancer medicine, is chemotherapy being oversold and overused, while lifestyle factors are under valued and under used? This presentation will examine challenging evidence which suggests so. Recent research is building the case that lifestyle factors need to be considered at first diagnosis of cancer, just as with heart disease and diabetes.

Will international medical graduates be a force in the future?

Professor Max Kamien
Panellists: Dr Ken Wanguhu, Boris Metzof, Dr Yan Perumal
Chair: Dr Vasantha Preetham

To see the future, one must look at the past and the history of international medical graduates (IMGs) in Australia. What benefits do IMGs bring to Australia? When did IMG history in Australia really begin? How does Australia compensate the countries that nurtured and produced these IMGs? Why do IMGs come, and what does Australia bring to their future? How will IMGs influence the future of Australian general practice?

Prof Max Kamien will lead the audience through the historical and ethical aspects to date, to set the scene for Dr Vasantha Preetham and a panel of IMG GPs to examine these issues from their
own perspectives, which are so important to the future of general practice.

Indigenous health - optimising the GP's role

Henry Councillor (NACCHO), Mark Wenitong (AIDA), Alan Brown (RACGP),
David Baker (general practice registrar), Rachel Atkinson (Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council)

A panel presentation by a range of indigenous people involved in health care will explore issues for GPs working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. RACGP and NACCHO representatives and other key organisations will present a range of support services and activities available to GPs working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. An open discussion will provide an opportunity for participants to indicate other support needs.

Rural general practice - the future

Dr Chris Mitchell, Dr Sue Page, Dr Helen Tolhurst

Dr Chris Mitchell: A definition of general practice and the challenges of including rural general practice (procedural and nonprocedural), advanced rural skills and rural incentives.

Dr Sue Page: The future of rural maternity services.

Dr Helen Tolhurst: Sustainability of rural practice.

Future directions in general practice

Professor Len Gray, Professor Mark Harris, Professor Jon Emery

Examining issues as diverse as aged care, genetics and teamwork within general practice, a panel of experts look to the future of the profession and discuss a range of implications for future practitioners.

Patient's expectations of the general practice of the future

Panel: Associate Professor Michael Greco, Helen Hopkins, Tony McBride, Rachel Atkinson

What do current changes in provider-consumer roles and interactions suggest about the future? Where will trends lead? Toward self management – better informed, health literate consumers with higher expectations; decision aids or joint decision making; advance care planning and greater acceptance of alternative therapies? Will this lead us in the way that primary health care is organised and used (or consumed)?

Future models of general practice

Sponsored by Symbion Health

Symbion Health: Corporate model of general practice.

Professor Nick Zwar: Role of multiprofessional general practice, eg. nurse practitioners.

Dr Siaw-Teng Liaw: Emerging rural IT in general practice.

Henry Councillor: to be advised

Professor Claire Jackson: General practice – where do we want to be tomorrow?