Launch of RACGP survey - General Practice: The Health of the Nation
The RACGP invites members to provide current views and insights on various aspects of general practice.
In the next few days RACGP Fellows will receive an invitation to complete the RACGP ‘General Practice: The Health of the Nation’ survey. This survey covers a wide range of topics in general practice, from the amount of time you spend with your patients, through to your views on emerging health issues and advocacy priorities.
The survey results will be released to RACGP members, the Federal Government and major stakeholders in September.
We expect the report to be compiled from the survey results will become a significant, influential and much anticipated commentary on the state of general practice in Australia.
Members responses will assist Council to set advocacy priorities for the coming year.
RACGP position statement: Rural Generalism 2020
The RACGP has released a new position statement on rural generalism that contends general practitioners are generalists by definition.
The term ‘rural generalist’ describes a rural GP working to the full scope of their practice with skill sets that are informed by the needs of the community they serve. These skill sets may encompass both advanced procedural and non-procedural skills with an emphasis on emergency medicine.
The position statement was developed in the context of the upcoming appointment of the inaugural Rural Health Commissioner who will be tasked with establishing a National Rural Generalist Pathway (NRGP).
Visit the RACGP website to read the full position statement.
RACGP members are invited to email comments through to rural@racgp.org.au or join the conversation in shareGP.
Security of My Health Record – information for patients
The Federal Government has produced a document, Fact Check: My Health Record, to help GPs explain the My Health Record system to their patients.
The document explains why there is a need for a digital record system, how the system is used to protect patients’ information, how healthcare providers protect patients’ health information, and the control patients have when managing their My Health Record.
RACGP members are encouraged to share the information with their patients.
Visit the Australian Digital Health Agency website to download the document.
Interoperable secure messaging system on the horizon for GPs
The Australian Digital Health Agency (DHA) has announced trials are officially underway to test secure electronic communication between healthcare providers that use different vendors for clinical information systems. The tests will cover GP referrals to specialists, allied health messages to GPs and specialists, and hospital discharge summaries to GPs and other providers.
The RACGP has been a long time campaigner for a system of secure messaging between healthcare providers and, as outlined in its secure electronic communication position statement, has advocated for a secure and seamless communication system for general practice by 2019. The DHA’s announcement marks a significant step towards this goal.
National Immunisation Program expansion measure
A suite of communications materials is now available for RACGP members to support awareness and uptake of the new National Immunisation Program (NIP) expansion measure.
The NIP expansion measure, introduced in the May Federal Budget, will see the Federal Government spend $14.1 million over four years to provide ongoing access to catch-up vaccines from 1 July 2017 to all individuals aged 10 to 19 years, as well as newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants.
The NIP expansion communication materials include:
- Vaccination provider factsheet – 10–19 year olds
- Vaccination provider factsheet – refugees and humanitarian entrants
- Consumer poster – 10–19 year olds
- Consumer flyer – 10–19 year olds
Visit the Immunise Australia website to download the materials.
RACGP response to proposed welfare changes
The RACGP Addiction Medicine Specific Interests network has written to the Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge MP, to raise concerns regarding proposed welfare changes introduced in the May 2017 Federal Budget.
The first proposed change would see Impairment Table 6 (Function Related to Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Use) deleted from social security law. The second proposal is focused on urine drug screening of welfare recipients.
The RACGP strongly opposes these changes as they have no supporting evidence behind them and are likely to cause more harm to vulnerable people in the community.
Log in to shareGP to read the RACGP response to the proposed welfare changes.
Clinical pearl
Should you perform epidural steroid injections to treat patients with low back pain who do not have radicular symptoms?
Epidural steroid injections are a commonly used treatment for patients with low back pain. Recent systematic reviews have shown epidural steroid injections may provide short-term benefit (three to six months) in pain scores for patients with acute low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. However, for patients with low back pain alone, there is insufficient evidence to support their use. Although serious adverse events are rare, complications of bleeding and infection can be catastrophic.
Visit the Choosing Wisely website for more information.
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