July 2019

The Department of Health (DoH) commissioned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation 33 Creative to develop resources for patients and providers. These resources promote the benefits of the 715 health check for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Brochures and posters are currently being distributed to Aboriginal Medical Services, Primary Health Networks, peak bodies and stakeholders to promote to their patients and communities. The suite of resources is also available on the DoH website and includes information for patients, ...

The convocation submission period closes in shareGP 12.00 noon Friday 9 August (AEST). Log in to the  shareGP 2019 Convocation space  to submit a written or video submission, or to ask peers about their item. View how to create a convocation item on the RACGP convocation help page  or contact convocation@racgp.org.au . Visit  shareGP  or the  RACGP website  for all the key dates for Convocation.

The 2019 Convocation submission period is now open in shareGP. Log in to the  shareGP 2019 Convocation space  to submit a Convocation item as well as comment on items posted by others. The Convocation submission period closes 12.00 noon Friday 9 August (AEST). All key dates for Convocation are available in shareGP or on the  RACGP website . View how to create a Convocation item on the RACGP Convocation help page  or contact convocation@racgp.org.au for troubleshooting and submission enquires.

With support and funding provided by the Federal Department of Health, Drajon Consulting are undertaking a project to understand the current and potential use of point-of-care testing (PoCT) in practices across Australia. A component of this project is a short survey that is currently open and seeks to gain insight on the benefits of PoCT for GPs and their patients. Your involvement in this survey, whether you are already undertaking PoCT services or considering undertaking PoCT services, will provide valuable feedback regarding the future of PoCT ...

RACGP Specific Interests will launch a three-part series on medical education, supervision and research on Wednesday 31 July. In the first webinar Dr Rebecca Stewart will present ‘Getting started in medical education’, exploring the roles and responsibilities of a medical educator, the varied routes into medical education, the differences between medical education and supervision, and the resources and supports available to GPs with an interest in medical education. The ‘Getting started in medical education’ webinar will be held 7.00–8.00 pm (AEST)...

The July eHealth webinar is designed to provide an overview of the role of technology in general practice, and how these technologies can be safely and confidently implemented and managed in general practices. Topics covered in these webinars include: using email secure electronic communication follow-up systems online appointment technologies safe disposal of hardware using mobile devices for clinical photos. A number of session times are available, and webinars are accredited for two Category 2 RACGP QI&CPD points and are free of charge f...

In April 2019 Therapeutic Guidelines Limited (TGL) published the 16th edition of their Antibiotic Guidelines. TGL is transitioning to continuous updating and have ceased publishing book versions of their guidelines. To assist GPs with the implementation of the new antibiotic prescribing recommendations and improve antimicrobial stewardship, TGL published a summary table about the management of common infective presentations in primary care in the June release of eTG complete . The summary is currently available within eTG complete .

GPs are encouraged to talk with patients who are travelling to the Middle East for Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage held 9–14 August, about the risks of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) Coronavirus, and to be alert to symptoms upon their return. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that are known to cause serious illness, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). MERS-CoV was first identified in the Middle East. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing an ongoing outbreak of MERS, associated with infections in healthcare facilit...