Good Practice is the RACGP's monthly news tabloid, highlighting the issues that affect general practice in Australia today.
Launched in April 2010, this publication is delivered to around 30 000 GPs each month with Australian Family Physician, the peer reviewed journal of the RACGP. Good Practice includes regular sections on business practice, state based and rural news, e-health and technology, QI&CPD news, recruitment, educational events and workshop listings. Good Practice features a balanced mix of news and views reported at both a national and local level and is a comprehensive source of news for GPs, including regular indepth features relevant to the profession.
Please note: Access to the PDF and online versions of Good Practice is restricted to GPs only, and requires you to log in with your college web site account.
All reader feedback can be sent to goodpractice@racgp.org.au
Production contacts
Managing Editor: Denese Warmington
Editor: Sharon Lapkin
Graphic Designer: Beverly Jongue
Production Coordinator: Morgan Liotta
Issue 10. December 2011
The December issue of Good Practice looks at the health risks of using dietary supplements. Recent studies show that people who supplement their diets with vitamins are less likely to actually need to to, while those who are more likely to benefit from taking supplements usually don't take them. Worldwide studies also show that vitamin supplements can be linked to some cancers and premature mortality, so the most beneficial way to get adequate amounts of vitamins is to eat the recommended daily amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. We also look at providing care for refugees in general practice and present a best practice checklist for GPs caring for refugee patients, which has been found to be a rewarding and inspiring experience.
Issue 9. November 2011
The November issue of Good Practice presents some alarming statistics on the recent increase in chlamydia diagnoses in Australia. We look at ways to approach patients in general practice about chlamydia testing and how to discuss these issues with different age groups. Also in focus again is the rise of telehealth and the benefits it will deliver to the healthcare sector in the future. The follow up to the recent RACGP's annual conference for general practice, GP11, features photos of all the award winners and other highlights of the conference.
Read onlinePDF version (2.4MB)
Issue 8. October 2011
The October issue of Good Practice looks at climate change – how will it affect the health of Australians? We talk to speakers from Monash University's recent seminar on climate change, who discuss the direct and indirect health affects that climate change may potentially bring, as well as some GPs, to get their opinion on this pressing issue. Also covered is the importance of encouraging patients in general practice to exercise regularly – by following the College's guidelines and resources GPs can provide healthy advice to their patients. We also look at the results of website usability experts after reviewing general practice's websites – key findings were maintaining the practice's website to provide clear information, particularly to those patients with disabilities.
Read onlinePDF version (2.4MB)
Issue 7. September 2011
The September issue of Good Practice focuses on e-health – more specifically the College's newly released Implementation guidelines for video consultations in general practices and the valuable support they will provide for GPs and their patients. Also discussed is the use of patient data outside the general practice setting – when is it okay? Other features include a position statement on the Patient Controlled Electronic Health Record, and a visual timeline of e-health RACGP and government key initiatives.
Read onlinePDF version (2.4MB)
Issue 6. August 2011
The August issue of Good Practice discusses the General Practice Registrars Association's initiative to focus on the issues surrounding safe working hours for general practice registrars, particularly in rural and remote areas, to improve the health and wellbeing of themselves, as well as their patients. We also talk to Dr Beres Joyner, who has a special interest in palliative care and responds to questions about how GPs can assist patients to make the transition to palliative care and the support role the GP can play. Also covered are some statistics on diabetes and mental health in Australia.
Read onlinePDF
version (1.9MB)
Issue 5. July 2011
July's Good Practice has a look at government investment in telehealth, how videoconferencing will work, and how it can help patients who are disadvantaged by distance. We profile an 'ordinary' doctor working in the extraordinary area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and discuss considerations for safety that should be taken into account when designing a general practice. We also look into the issue of GPs maintaining aged care visits, and how social media fits into general practice.
Read onlinePDF version (2.4MB)
Issue 4. June 2011
The June issue of Good Practice presents the College's reaction to the Federal Government's decision to cut funding from general mental healthcare planning in the 2011-2012 Federal Budget. Also, in this issue, and in recognition of Men's Health Week, we explore an often-overlooked health problem in men, osteoporosis, and take the opportunity to talk about men's health initiatives. There is also advice on looking after yourself as a GP, considerations on weighing up consent versus confidentiality, as well as some tips on preparing for e-health.
Read onlinePDF version (2.4MB)
Issue 3. May 2011
The May issue of Good Practice focuses on the upcoming Federal Budget. The government has warned there will be substantial cuts to the budget following Australia's recent natural disasters, and the RACGP calls on the Federal Government to implement primary healthcare as an important part of the budget. In other news, the National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health hosted an event to launch its initiatives for supporting GPs working with indigenous patients.