GP15 Day 3: Closing events
More than 1600 delegates from different health professions have passed through the doors of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over the three days for the RACGP’s GP15 Conference for General Practice. After another full day of academic and educational sessions, the conference concluded with yesterday’s closing plenary.
The closing keynote speech was delivered by one of Australia’s best-known TV presenters, Network Ten’s Jessica Rowe, who told attendees of her struggle with postnatal depression and praised the important role GPs play in the care of their patients.
‘[GPs] are really remarkable people and they form a very special and unique relationship with their patients,’ Rowe told the audience. ‘After my daughter was born … I started to feel incredibly anxious, was having panic attacks and felt like I was losing my mind.
‘My GP was so caring through that time and would regularly check in with me just to see how I was going. Thank god for my GP and for the psychiatrist that she referred me to, because without that I don’t know where I would be today.
‘I want to say “thank you” because your care, attention and persistence helped me through.’
President Dr Frank R Jones then took to the stage and reaffirmed the importance of the RACGP’s Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system funding model. He welcomed Federal Minister for Health and Sport, the Hon. Sussan Ley, who addressed the attendees after being presented with a copy of the funding model.
‘The Federal Government’s review of Medicare reform will make the system better for patients directly in their interactions with their GPs, and GPs will remain front and centre of primary care,’ she said.
‘I will continue to work with the RACGP on the future of general practice training and will look to the profession to set standards for training and Fellowship, and to continue to undertake continuous improvement activities for general practice through the GP Advisory Committee.’
The 2015 Peter Mudge Medal, which honours a GP15 presenter who has advanced the discipline of general practice and whose original research has the greatest potential to influence daily general practice, was presented to Professor Moyez Jiwa for his topic, ‘How do general practitioners manage patients with cancer symptoms? A video-vignette study’. The 2015 Alan Chancellor Award, which honours the best first-time presenter of a research paper at GP15, was awarded to Dr Colm McCarthy for his short paper, ‘A study of GP and patient attitudes to the doctor’s use of internet and other information sources during the consultation’.
As GP15 drew to a close, it no doubt encouraged and challenged GPs to think about their future in practice. Plans are underway for RACGP’s GP16 Conference for General Practice, which will take place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29 September to 1 October 2016. Prospective delegates can register their interest online at gp16.com.au
As the official conference message stick was passed to GP16 conference convenor and Chair of the RACGP’s Western Australia Faculty, Dr Tim Koh, the conference theme, ‘Clinical, Digital, Leadership’, was announced.
‘General practice has embraced constant change,’ Dr Koh told attendees. ‘It is integral to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. GP16 in Perth will be the RACGP Conference for General Practice that looks at the challenges ahead and asks, “How can we be best prepared for these challenges and solve the problems they present?”.
‘I look forward to welcoming you to spectacular Perth, where we plan to challenge boundaries, educate, stimulate debate and entertain.’
Visit the RACGP’s YouTube channel to view video highlights from over the course of GP15.