Australian General Practice Training applications now open
Applications are now open for the 2018 intake into the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program with the RACGP.
The online application portal requires residents, interns and international medical graduates (IMGs) interested in the program to register in order to submit an application.
Applications close at 10.00 am on 8 May 2017 (AEST).
Visit the RACGP website for more information, or to apply now.
RACGP Extraordinary General Meeting – vote on 30 May
A considerable amount of discussion has taken place in shareGP following last week’s release of the explanatory memorandum and special resolutions. Members will vote on the special resolutions, which contain the proposed constitutional changes, at the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on 30 May.
The EGM is being held as a result of a member vote at the 2016 RACGP Annual General Meeting. It will be held virtually and streamed online, allowing member participation from any location. Eligible members will be invited to vote online during the EGM, or before the EGM via proxy.
To assist the RACGP in addressing all questions, comments and concerns, members are strongly encouraged to engage with the conversation in shareGP and view the documents on the RACGP website.
2017 update of the RACGP’s Medicare Benefits Schedule fee summary
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) currently contains more than 5700 items, is 903 pages long and outlines all Medicare item numbers for GPs and other medical specialists and health practitioners.
The RACGP MBS fee summary provides members with a quick and easy guide to the item numbers relevant to general practice. This widely used resource is updated annually to reflect changes to the MBS.
The RACGP is calling for feedback and suggestions on the content and format for the 2017 edition to produce an updated MBS fee summary that meets your needs.
Visit the RACGP Consultations page to provide feedback before Thursday 27 April 2017.
Celebrate your peers in the 2017 RACGP awards
RACGP members across Australia are encouraged to nominate their peers for a 2017 RACGP award in recognition of their dedication to primary healthcare in the community.
The RACGP awards follow a tiered model that operates at two levels, faculty and national.
Nominations for the following awards in each faculty are now open:
- General Practice of the Year
- General Practitioner of the Year
- General Practice Supervisor of the Year
- General Practice Registrar of the Year
The faculty winners in each category will receive the state accolade (eg Queensland GP of the Year). Each faculty winner will subsequently be put forward as a finalist for the national award in that category.
Nominations are also open for the RACGP Honorary awards, RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health awards and the RACGP Rural awards and bursaries.
Nominations for all awards must be received by Friday 19 May 2017, 5.00 pm (AEST).
For further information visit the RACGP website.
RACGP in the media on shareGP
All media mentions of the RACGP and general practice, as well as stories in the media about GPs, are now being curated in shareGP.
The ‘RACGP in the media’ shareGP space is a one-stop-shop to help RACGP members keep on top of, and add comments to, the latest news updates and media releases.
Members can select then select ‘follow’ in the top right corner to receive home page updates.
RACGP members also have the opportunity to provide comment and feedback with the shareGP community on hot-topic issues in the media.
April issue of Good Practice out now
Key articles from the April issue of Good Practice are now available on the RACGP website.
In this month’s issue, you can:
- read about how GPs can make a difference to victims of abuse and violence
- learn more about transgender health
- discover how environmental health issues can present to general practice
- find out how GPs and physiotherapists are working together.
Visit the RACGP website to access the April issue of Good Practice.
Clinical Pearl
Subsidised continuous glucose monitoring products for young Australians with Type 1 diabetes – the role of GPs
The Federal Government is providing fully-subsidised continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products to eligible children and young people aged under 21 years with type 1 diabetes.
This increases access to supportive technology for some younger patients with type 1 diabetes, but may also assist GPs to review their patients’ diabetes management plans and facilitate access to this technology for eligible patients. To gain access, a patient needs to be assessed by an authorised health professional such as an endocrinologist or credentialled diabetes educator.
Management is optimal in a specialist-supported, team-based program. GPs have an important role to ensure team based approaches are addressed with enhanced primary care planning and coordination.
For further information about access to CGM products through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), visit the Australian Department of Health website or call the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588.
Poll
PHN engagement with GPs and general practice in your area
July 2015 saw the establishment of 31 Primary Health Networks (PHN), with the primary objectives of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients and improving coordination of care.
Each PHN aims to support the primary health sector in various ways, which may include practice management, electronic health records, practice accreditation, educational activities and referral pathways. There are a variety of ways in which PHNs could provide support in these areas, such as liaison teams interacting directly with practices, or through providing and facilitating access to resources and events to support GPs and their practices.
The RACGP has spoken with GPs on PHN Clinical Councils about their engagement and experience as part of these networks. We are now interested to learn the level of engagement you have with your PHN, since the PHNs have been in operation in the sector for more than 18 months. Your responses will inform the RACGP’s understanding of PHN and general practice interaction, noting that there will be wide variability across the regions.