National Faculty of Specific Interests
In November 2008, the RACGP Council endorsed the creation of the (National) Faculty of Specific Interests (NFSI). This new national faculty allows the RACGP to formally recognise those GPs with an additional interest and expertise in a specific area of clinical practice. The National Faculty of Specific Interests, or NFSI, is charged with the role of conduit, allowing GPs with an interest in a specific area of general practice the ability to pursue their interest within their College rather than look outside the College for like minded members and networking or educational opportunities.
Initial entry into the NFSI will be through the status of Network. Networks provide the opportunity for specific interest groups to share information and knowledge on their area of interest by regular contact, either online or by meetings. The Network can also become more formal and offer continuing professional development (CPD) for its members and other general practitioners for whom a need has been identified. There is a potential to apply for Working Group status and hence on to Chapterhood which will focus on the development of a qualification of the NFSI, in the area of the specific interest.
To become an endorsed Network of the NFSI, an eligible specific interest area has to be defined. In consultation with the NFSI staff an application will be submitted to Council from a minimum of 10 RACGP members (with at least two States/Territories of Australia being represented by two or more network members ordinarily practising or residing in that State/Territory) with the request to form the network. Networks generally form with the purpose of forming together to discuss and promote the area of specific interest and to share and develop related knowledge and materials. If there is an existing network, working group or chapter which already covers or substantially overlaps with the specific interest area defined in the application, it may be recommended that discussions commence to join with a similar group.
A Working group requires a minimum of 20 members and the development of a qualification framework and business plan in the area of the specific interest. Endorsement will require consideration and approval by Council of a paper outlining all relevant educational, quality of care, political, financial, reputational and regulatory matters.
A Chapter can be formed following the submission to and approval by Council of a fully crafted suite of materials. Council will endorse the implementation by the College of the training program in the area of specific interest in accordance with the Council-endorsed business plan and the conferment of a post-nominal to successful candidates.
For further information on these criteria, download the fact sheet below.
NFSI activities
Annual conference
There was an official launch of the NFSI during GP'09 where workshops were held by the networks of Pain Management, Integrative Medicine and Sports Medicine.
The NFSI was well represented again at GP 10 in Cairns, with workshops and posters offered by areas as diverse as Pain Management and Custodial Health, Sports Medicine and Medical Education. The Faculty Board met for the first time and the Faculty Dinner was an excellent opportunity for Faculty members, their friends and guests to enjoy an evening of warm collegiality. The Faculty continues in its role of supporting GP members with an interest in a specific area of practice on behalf of the College.
The NFSI very successfully promoted its activities during the recent GP11 conference with a strong presence at the RACGP booth, participation by NFSI Networks holding workshops and sessions on Integrative Medicine, Military Medicine, Refugee Health and Sports Medicine. A lunchtime information session held by the Network Chairs on Friday was well attended by conference delegates. The Faculty general meeting and Board meeting were followed by the NFSI’s annual dinner at Pier One Restaurant, Sandy Bay. All in all, a very successful conference for the NFSI.
NFSI - Being Specific Poster (635KB)
Custodial Health Network Poster (503KB)
Medical Education Network Poster (1.4MB)
NFSI e-newsletter
Network Newsletter April 2012 (1.7MB)
NFSI Board
There is an NFSI Board which consists of representatives from the endorsed Networks and Chapter. Dr Morton Rawlin, Chair of Victoria Faculty, is the Chair of the NFSI.
The NFSI Board members are:
- Dr Morton Rawlin Chair
- Dr Michael Aufgang Addiction Medicine Network
- Dr Jenny Firman Chapter of Military Medicine
- Dr Michael Fasher Child and Young Person's Health Network
- Dr Vicki Kotsirilos Integrative Medicine Network
- Dr Scott Kitchener Medical Education Network
- Dr Stephen Leow Pain Management Network
- Dr Jim Antoniadis Psychological Medicine Network
- Dr Christine Boyce Refugee Health Network
- Dr Neville Blomeley Sports Medicine Network
- Dr Scott Masters Musculoskeletal Medicine Network
- Dr Gary Deed Diabetes Network
Co-opted members
- Dr Fraser Moss Custodial Health Network
- Dr Rosemary Isaacs Clinical Forensic Medicine
- Dr Ross White Hospital medicine network
- Professor Claire Jackson Antenatal/Postnatal Care Network
- Dr Richard Kidd Aged Care Network
Endorsed Networks
| Network | Endorsed | Contact |
| Addiction medicine | Feb 2010 | Dr Michael Aufgang - maufgang@bigpond.net.au |
Aged Care |
March 2012 |
Dr Richard Kidd - rki85773@bigpond.net.au |
Antenatal/Postnatal Care |
Feb 2012 |
Professor Claire Jackson – dianne.stewart@racgp.org.au |
| Breast medicine | May 2009 | To be advised |
| Child and young person's health | June 2010 | Dr Michael Fasher - mfasher@med.usyd.edu.au |
| Clinical Forensic Medicine | June 2011 | Dr Rosemary Isaacs - r.isaacs7@gmail.com |
| Custodial Health | Dec 2009 | Dr Fraser Moss - fraser.moss@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au |
| Diabetes | August 2011 | Dr Gary Deed - g.deed@uqconnect.net |
| Hospital medicine | Dec 2011 | Dr Ross White - riwhite@me.com |
| Integrative medicine | Feb 2009 | Dr Vicki Kotsirilos - vicki.k@optusnet.com.au |
| Medical education | Feb 2009 | Dr Morton Rawlin – nfsi@racgp.org.au |
| Musculoskeletal Medicine | June 2011 | Dr Scott Masters – standeven@optusnet.com.au |
| Pain management | Feb 2009 | Dr Stephen Leow – skymasterc337@hotmail.com |
| Psychological medicine | June 2010 | Dr James Antoniadis – jimantoniadis@writeme.com |
| Refugee Health | April 2011 | Dr Christine Boyce – christine.boyce@quince.com.au |
| Sports medicine | Feb 2009 | Dr Neville Blomeley - blomeley@bigpond.net.au |
Endorsed Chapter
| Chapter | Endorsed | Contact |
| Military medicine | Feb 2010 | Dr Jenny Firman - jenfirman@ozemail.com.au |
NFSI staff and contacts
| Dr Morton Rawlin | Faculty Chair | ||
| Jolanda De Jong | Manager | Ph: (03) 6278 3093 | jolanda.dejong@racgp.org.au |
| Matt Rush | Coordinator | Ph: (03) 6278 1644 | matthew.rush@racgp.org.au |
| Pam Garrard | Administrative Officer | Ph: (03) 8699 0577 | pam.garrard@racgp.org.au |
Further enquiries
Freecall 1800 090 588
Email nfsi@racgp.org.au
Member representatives
The College is often asked to provide representatives on various
forums. If you are interested in becoming a representative for the
College you can obtain more information by forwarding your interest
to reps&endorsements@racgp.org.au
with Member representative enquiry in the subject heading. More detail
is provided at http://www.racgp.org.au/endorsements
Related documents
Discussion paper (773KB) - Specific interests in General Practice within the RACGP – A discussion paper - September 2007
NFSI membership form (209KB) - (You must be a current financial member of the RACGP to apply for membership of the NFSI. For information on membership categories and rates refer to www.racgp.org.au/membership/categories. Payment of the QI&CPD fee only does not count as financial membership).
Policy document (71KB) - RACGP Conflict of Interest Policy
Policy document (115KB) - RACGP Appeals Policy
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