11 March 2016


What makes a ‘good GP’?

At the end of this month I will have the honour of addressing the next generation of GPs at the annual conference of the General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA).

My keynote speech will centre on what I believe makes a good GP and, ahead of The Future of General Practice 16conference (#fgp16), I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you.

General practice has a core set of clinical characteristics and practices unique within medicine.

The RACGP defines general practice as ‘the provision of patient-centred, continuing, comprehensive, coordinated primary care to individuals, families, and their communities’.

A laudable goal, to which I am sure we all aspire.

At a very pragmatic level, there are GP-specific skills that differentiate us from other medical specialities:

  • Our diagnostic thinking process is different – we deal with uncertainty and the ambiguity of presentations. There is often no easy ‘medical tick box’ to check; we have developed specific skill sets to managethe issue in hand.
  • The therapeutic process – this is not merely pharmacology. GPs have expertise in knowing when not to use drugs, as well as knowledge and evidence-based skills in the use of other appropriate referrals.
  • Continuity of care – this has become a defining role for the GP. We recognise the difference between individual continuity and system continuity; however, finding the balance is a challenge for the future. The opportunity for preventative care inherent within continuity, and prevention is embedded in every GP consultation.

Becoming a good GP is a lifelong journey, but it is imperative that senior GPs empower and mentor the future generation.

The RACGP has a wealth of information to assist general practice registrars, including exam preparation and initial Vocational Training Pathway resources.

Dr Frank R Jones
RACGP President


RACGP examination update

Applied Knowledge Test results

The RACGP is pleased to announce that the 2016.1 Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) results have been released. Candidates can access their results by logging into the RACGP website. Contact the RACGP on 1800 626 901 or via email at racgpeducation@racgp.org.au for further information.

New RACGP Examination Guide

The RACGP has launched the RACGP Examination Guide to assist current and prospective RACGP examinations candidates in their exam preparation.

The guide contains comprehensive detail about the AKT, Key Feature Problems (KFP) exam and Objectives Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), including the standards, processes and features used to develop each exam, example question types and tips for preparation.

The purpose of this guide is to ensure that candidates are informed about every aspect of the RACGP Fellowship examinations, from theory to quality assurance and results. Further information is available on the RACGP website.

Public Exam Report 

A public report will now be available following each AKT, KFP exam and OSCE. The purpose of the report is to provide an overview of the cohort performance, including pass rates, practice exam participation and feedback. Feedback will include selected items from the exam and detail the correct responses and common mistakes. These reports will be available on the RACGP website following the release of exam results.


Third International Primary Health Care Reform Conference

The future of primary healthcare reform and its challenges will be debated and deliberated when international healthcare leaders meet in Brisbane next week for the 3rd International Primary Health Care Reform Conference (IPHCRC).

The RACGP is the gold sponsor of this event and will be represented by the Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, Dr Evan Ackermann, who will present aspects of the Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare systemunder the stream, ‘Changing incentives and models for care delivery’.

The conference will be held Monday to Wednesday 14–16 March at the Stamford Plaza, Brisbane. Visit the IPHCRC websitefor more information and to register.


New RACGP Specific Interest Disability network

The RACGP Specific Interest Disability network was approved at the February meeting of RACGP Council.

The new group will be a forum for RACGP members who are committed to improving their understanding and service provision to people living with disability.

Chaired by Associate Professor Bob Davis, Director of Clinical Services at the Centre for Developmental Disability Health(CDDHV) in Victoria, the network will advocate education and awareness of the health and wellbeing needs of people living with disability to medical students, general practice registrars and GPs in Australia.

The establishment of the network is timely, as it will support GP members in their understanding of and role in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and act as a resource for the RACGP on disability issues as they impact on general practice in Australia.

Membership of RACGP Specific Interests is open and free to all RACGP members. To join the Disability network, or any other network, contact gpsi@racgp.org.au or register your interest on the RACGP website.


RACGP Clinical Pearl

Single dose of oral ibuprofen plus caffeine for acute postoperative pain in adults

A Cochrane Review assessed the efficacy and the adverse effects of a single dose of ibuprofen plus caffeine for relieving moderate or severe pain after surgery. The review found ibuprofen (200 mg) plus caffeine (100 mg) provided effective pain relief for six in 10 (59%) participants, compared with one in 10 (11%) participants with placebo (moderate quality evidence).

The combination of ibuprofen and caffeine can probably be achieved by taking a single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet with a cup of modestly strong coffee. Other common sources of caffeine include caffeine tablets (100 mg), tea (75 mg per mug) and plain chocolate (up to 50 mg per bar). 

Some people may experience good levels of pain relief with a lower dose of ibuprofen when combined with caffeine. Visit the Cochrane Library for more information.


In Practice poll

Local GP advocacy networks

Australia’s healthcare sector has seen significant transformation over recent years, including changes to locally-based general practice/primary health networks. Government funding was originally provided to the Divisions of General Practice, which then shifted to Medicare Locals and now Primary Health Networks (PHNs). This period has seen a significant shift in the focus of these organisations as directed by successive governments.

RACGP member feedback suggests that these reforms have led to a decrease in opportunities for GPs to engage with other local GPs and discuss areas of mutual interest or concerns. As the peak body for general practice, the RACGP is seeking to support members and ensure that the local GP voice is not lost among the forever changing health landscape.  

In response to member feedback, the RACGP Expert Committee – General Practice Advocacy and Funding (REC-GPAF) will be conducting a pilot project that aims to understand GPs’ interest and potential participation in improving advocacy and engagement at a local level.

The proposed model will provide GPs with a unique platform to discuss a range of local and national issues. For example, partnerships with local services or the impacts of commonwealth and state/territory political measures on general practice.

The RACGP is canvassing the views of the broader membership in order to inform the development of the pilot project and implementation of the local GP advocacy networks. 


Media enquiries

Journalists and media outlets seeking comment and information from the RACGP should contact:

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor