August 2019

Emergency contraception is an essential intervention for the prevention of unplanned pregnancy. The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is highly effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Unfortunately, its usage in this context is low, far exceeded by hormonal forms of emergency contraception, which have higher failure rates and do not provide ongoing contraception. This case-based discussion follows a patient seeking emergency contraception, confirmation the patient is not pregnant and subsequent contraceptive ...

With a multidisciplinary approach to education, policy and advocacy, the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) strives towards optimal mental health and wellbeing of the Australian population by supporting GPs to deliver primary mental healthcare. GPs who have completed GPMHSC-accredited Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) are encouraged to complete Focused Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST). Developed from evidence-based psychological therapies, FPS includes interventions such as psychoeducation, cognitiv...

Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) providers needing to fulfil CPD requirements before the end of the 2017-2019 triennium can maintain FPS eligibility with Medicare by completing an RACGP FPS CPD case-based masterclass delivered via teleconference. This course was designed to support FPS providers and is intended to help extend skills by exploring intervention methods, address challenging cases, and develop strategies in responding to barriers against the achievement of best practice. This masterclass consists of a series of thought-provoking, ...

At GP19, you will have access to an array of program content specifically relevant to rural general practice, including active learning modules, clinical sessions, the National Faculties Evening and the RACGP Rural Member Meeting. Enhance your learning experience by attending one of the RACGP Rural active learning modules (ALMs) taking place on the pre-conference ALM day including the ‘Rural hospital clinical simulation’ or the ‘Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for GPs’ . These ALMs are accredited for 40 Category 1 Quality Improvement and...

GPs who complete General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC)-accredited Mental Health Skills Training are eligible to claim higher rebates under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Better Access initiative . This includes the use of MBS items 2712, 2715 and 2717 for the development and review of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (GPMHTP). MBS item 2712 can be claimed when a GP reviews a patient’s mental health care plan and does not have to be used to access additional sessions. GPs can claim a different MBS item number, like...

The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) 2019 Conference will be held at Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin from 3–4 October 2019. The AIDA Conference 2019 is a forum to share and build on knowledge that increasingly disrupts existing practice and policy to raise the standards of healthcare. Over the two-day program, delegates will hear from industry experts, network with Indigenous doctors , medical students and peak health organisations and join conversations about disruptive innovations in healthcare. Opportunities to gain CPD poin...

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking applications from professionals in relevant scientific and medical fields for its statutory advisory committees, including members whose terms of appointment expire on 31 Dec 2019. These committees support TGA functions as a regulator. There will be 40 vacancies across the seven statutory advisory committees: Advisory Committee on Medicines Advisory Committee on Medical Devices Advisory Committee on Complementary Medicines Advisory Committee on Vaccines Advisory Committee on Biologicals Ad...

The RACGP Rural health webinar series presents free monthly webinars on important health issues for rural and remote GPs. Each session will be held on the first Thursday of the month and focus on supporting GPs with relevant information and resources. The first webinar, on ‘Common ocular presentations and how to manage them’, is on Thursday 5 September and is accredited for two Category 2 RACGP QI&CPD points. Patients with eye complaints frequently present to GPs seeking diagnosis, triage and necessary management, however, due to a lack of ongoing ...