GP17 early bird registrations close midnight Friday 14 July
GPs and general practice registrars have until midnight (AEST) Friday 14 July to secure the early bird rate for GP17, the RACGP’s conference for general practice to be held in Sydney from 26–28 October.
GP17 promises to deliver an exciting line-up of strong and diverse speakers, education sessions, networking opportunities and social activities.
Keynote speakers at GP17 will be Sir Harry Burns, Dr Jay Parkinson and Prof Julie Bernhardt.
Visit the GP17 website to secure the early bird rate for your conference registration.
RACGP Specific Interests has a new Cardiology network
The RACGP Specific Interests Cardiology network has been established to help increase awareness of the importance of appropriately managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and assist GPs to be better equipped in effectively treating CVD.
Between 2014–15, it was estimated that 22% of Australian adults aged 18 and over (4.2 million people) had one or more CVDs¹.
The Cardiology network will work with its membership to optimise patient outcomes in general practice, leading to minimising the progression of CVD through early detection, and also improving the quality of life of people living with CVD through appropriate medical intervention.
Victorian GP Dr Atef Asham is the Cardiology network’s inaugural Chair.
Visit the RACGP website for more information or to join the Cardiology network.
¹Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian National Health Survey 2014–2015
2017 Australian Association of Practice Management National Salary survey
RACGP members are invited to participate in the 2017 Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) National Salary Survey.
The survey aims to assist the AAPM in understanding the positioning of practice staff members in the current climate. The survey ensures a full picture of practice managers, administrative staff members and healthcare providers across Australia is captured.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, all participants will go into the draw to win an Apple Watch and all AAPM members will receive five CPD points.
Visit the insync website to begin the survey.
GPs encouraged to use culture-based testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
RACGP members are encouraged to use culture, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, for diagnoses of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections, where possible. Swabs from symptomatic sites should be taken for culture. For asymptomatic infection, GPs should take a swab for culture after the PCR diagnosis and prior to treatment initiation.
Visit the Department of Health website for more information.
RACGP submission to the Productivity Commission
The RACGP has responded to various recommendations surrounding advance care planning (ACP) and patient referrals made by the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into introducing competition and informed user choice into human services.
Acknowledging what an important and challenging area ACP is in general practice, the RACGP accepts that while introduction of the concept of ACP should be recognised as an activity within health assessments for people aged 75 and older, it should not be mandatory. The RACGP has cautioned that effective ACP requires a significant amount of time and a dedicated Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item could be introduced for any further ACP work completed by a GP or a practice nurse under a GP’s direction (including education, provision of materials and coordination).
The RACGP submission also stressed how GPs currently support patient choice when referring, and reflects on why GPs are crucial to the referral decision-making process. The submission is in response to the Productivity Commission’s draft recommendation, which advocated for amending the Health Insurance Regulations 1975 to make it clear that patients referred to a specialist can choose which public outpatient clinic or private specialist they attend following consultation with their GP.
Clinical pearl
What symptoms are suggestive of type 2 diabetes?
Many cases of type 2 diabetes in Australia remain undiagnosed, while approximately one in six adults is affected by impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Clinical suspicion for type 2 diabetes needs to remain high, as type 2 diabetes is often asymptomatic and developing in younger populations.
There is a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes associated with lower socioeconomic status. Certain ethnic groups, including people from Pacific Islander, Southern European or Asian backgrounds, are more at risk and are twice as likely as other Australians to have developed diabetes within five years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are three times more likely to have diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians.
Case-finding can assist in the detection of type 2 diabetes.
Visit the RACGP website for more information on case-finding in patients with symptoms suggestive of diabetes, including screening and diagnosis algorithms.
In Practice poll
How satisfied are you with the information and support provided for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in your state or territory?
Roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia began in July 2016. The NDIS aims to provide Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary support they need to enjoy an ordinary life.
The RACGP is aware that some members may have experience in organising NDIS services for their patients. As all GPs are potential service providers for the NDIS, you may have received direct information on its rollout, or had contact with NDIS representatives.
The RACGP would like to know how satisfied GPs are with the NDIS information and support received to date.
The Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS has also recently invited the RACGP to comment on the transitional arrangements for the scheme. If you have any comments regarding the boundaries and interface of NDIS service provision and/or other non-NDIS service provision with reference to general practice, please email advocacy@racgp.org.au