RACGP | Running a practice

Rebirth of a clinic - a design workbook for architecture in general practice and primary care

This workbook is a guide from the initial concept to details-of-each-room, which has work sheet to capture the thoughts of the user at each step of the design. Any one can enter the process at any step to use part of the guide and exit at any time. The workbook format provides a place to write or sketch or store good ideas to share in the design process.

Practice Procedures

In 1996, the RACGP released the entry standards for the accreditation of general practices. This involves attaining the highest quality of general practice in an achievable and gradual manner, which is evident to the public.

Difficult doctor-patient relationships

This article describes a method for managing difficult doctor-patient relationships that involves acknowledging the problem, settling boundaries, using additional communication skills and, when necessary, bringing in external resources to assist both doctor and patient.

Receptionists

Medical receptionists play a crucial role in any practice, and the RACGP has produced a number of resources to support them in their professional development.

Premises

The geographic location of the surgery building may be decided by factors other than personal choice. A commercial building may have rooms available for lease, a shopping centre may contain purpose build rooms, or adjacent land available for development, or an existing private home may be suitable for remodelling.

Service Trusts - ATO requirements

The ATO released a guide in April 2006 on the requirements for businesses who use service trusts. The guide provides an example of how the rules apply to medical practices.

Practice Newsletters

A practice newsletter can be a powerful educational and marketing tool in general practice and can improve communication with patients. This article examines some of the key principles of desktop publishing, graphic design and journalism necessary to produce your own newsletter.

Planning

With the threat of corporate practice looming, smaller private general practices need to define their role in order to attract patients (consumers) and doctors, to build and maintain a successful practice.

Fees, rebates and MBS items

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioner's (RACGP's) kit titled - Private Billing: for you to understand, for you to decide, has been developed in response to RACGP members who have asked for advice on how to objectively assess the value in, or prepare for the introduction of, private billing.

College contact details

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) ABN 34 000 223 807,
1 Palmerston Cr, South Melbourne VIC 3205. Ph : +61 (3) 8699 0414 Fax : +61 (3) 8699 0400
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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia, with the majority of Australia's general practitioners belonging to their professional college. Over 23 000 general practitioners participate in the RACGP Continuing Professional Development Program. The RACGP National Rural Faculty, representing more than 5000 members, has the largest rural general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia. Read more about the College.