In Practice

RACGP Rural  is seeking expressions of interest from members who would like to work more closely with the faculty and further develop skills in the following areas: mentoring or teaching promoting the benefits of rural general practice providing expertise on committees. In return, members will have the opportunity to build upon existing skills and develop new skills, broaden professional networks, add achievements to resumes and make a tangible difference to rural and remote health. Email  rural@racgp.org.au  with details of interests and are...

General practice has a fundamental role in ensuring the privacy of patient health information. It is important practices understand the current legislative framework for the management of health information at both a practice level and when sharing information-using systems, such as My Health Record. This month's webinars are designed to support GPs and practice teams with their understanding of privacy obligations and will provide guidance on how to protect patient information. A number of sessions are available. Visit the  RACGP website  to regi...

GPs are likely to be one of the first health professionals a person with an eating disorder will engage. Eating disorders are associated with significant, wide-ranging medical complications that affect every major organ of the body, and early identification is imperative in transforming the health outcomes of a patient living with an eating disorder. Commencing on Friday 1 November 2019, a new MBS item number will be introduced for the treatment of eating disorders in Australia. This item number will support the role of GPs in prevention, identifica...

The RACGP has released a new factsheet for online appointment systems. Online appointment technology allows patients to book appointments online through internet-connected devices, such as computers, tablets and smart phones. There are numerous benefits for practices’ use of these systems, however there are a number of things that must be considered before they are introduced. This factsheet outlines: benefits of online appointment systems practice considerations patient considerations. Access the factsheet via the RACGP website .

RACGP Rural is seeking expressions of interest from members who would like to work more closely with the faculty and further develop their skills in the following areas: Mentoring or teaching Promoting the benefits of rural general practice Providing expertise on committees In return, members will have the opportunity to build upon existing skills and develop new skills, broaden professional networks, add achievements to resumés and make a tangible difference to rural and remote health. Email rural@racgp.org.au with details of interests an...

The National Mental Health Commission  is consulting on the  2030 Vision for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention via the  Connections  project, which is a nationwide conversation about the future of mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. The consultation involves the Commission visiting 23 communities across Australia to hold Town Hall meetings and consultations with all those people experiencing mental health issues. Consumers, carers, families and those organisations which provide support and care are all invited to attend. Indiv...

Convocation submissions close 12 noon Friday 9 August (AEST) in shareGP . The RACGP Board will consider all submitted convocation items after the submission period closes. Voting on selected convocation items will begin in September with RACGP members invited to comment and vote on items in shareGP. All votes received will be collated and carried across to the convocation meeting on Thursday 24 October at GP19 in Adelaide .

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Department of Health (DoH) on changes to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for thoracic medicine (respiratory function tests and sleep studies) that were introduced in November 2018. The RACGP submission covers topics including: the use of spirometry items by GPs the limitations of assessment tools for diagnostic sleep studies communication of the changes by the DoH. The submission recommends that the DoH implement measures to address issues raised by members, and provide clearer communications...