Vote for your next RACGP President
Ensure your views and voice are heard by voting in the RACGP Presidential election.
Voting is now open and closes Friday 4 September 2020.
RACGP members are invited to find out more about the six Presidential Candidates and submit their vote for the GP they would like to lead the RACGP and Australian general practice.
Voting for RACGP President is an important way members can express their views and ensure they are represented by the GP they choose.
RACGP Fellows, members and registrar associates will receive an email from the Retuning Officer on 20 August with the ballot and instructions on how to place a vote.
If you do not receive the email by 12.00 pm 25 August 2020, please contact the Returning Officer, Richard Kidd, on 1800 224 420 or elections@racgp.org.au
GP20 call for research abstract submissions open
The GP20 Program Committee and RACGP Expert Committee – Research are calling for innovative and highly engaging research abstracts for this year’s conference presentations.
We’re seeking three preferred presentation styles for GP20:
- 15-minute oral presentations, presented live or pre-recorded for on-demand viewing
- Three-minute lightning talks, pre-recorded for on-demand viewing
- ePosters
Submissions close at 11.59pm (AEST) Friday 18 September 2020.
View more information and submit via the GP20 website.
Applications for the final intake of AGPT with the RACGP open next week
Doctors who wish to apply for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program with the RACGP can do so from 10.00 am Monday 31 August until 10.00 am Monday 21 September.
The RACGP recently hosted a webinar detailing the application and selection process, as well as a number of changes due to COVID-19. You might also find this useful to get an idea on how the final intake differs from the first, which happened earlier in the year.
The Selection Guide and Eligibility Guidelines will also be your best friends in the lead up to completing your application, as they touch a number of important points such as visas, special provisions, recognised prior learning and training preferences.
We’re here to help, so if you have any questions about the AGPT Program please contact us at racgpeducation@racgp.org.au or 1800 472 247.
RACGP MBS short guide updated
The RACGP’s Short guide for general practice, a quick-reference guide listing commonly used Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items in general practice, has been updated with the latest MBS data as of August 2020.
The short guide lists face-to-face services only. A full list of COVID-19 MBS telehealth items available to GPs can be found here.
The RACGP is currently working on developing an interactive online tool that will allow users to enter clinic fees for MBS services, calculate patient out-of-pocket contributions and build their own custom lists. As such, the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee summary, a more extensive listing of MBS items used by GPs, has not been updated since April 2020. The online tool is expected to be available shortly.
Attract and retain patients for a thriving practice in 2020
Free training session for practice owners and practice managers
This year has been chaotic, to say the least. There's been a real shift in patient behaviour, which has resulted in the need to change your approach to marketing.
The good news is, with every disruption there is opportunity. In this training session you will learn five effective tactics that are working right now to attract and retain patients.
Date: 31 August 2020
Register on the Marketing Practices website.
Greater support for people with intellectual disability
The Federal Government has announced it will provide $5.75 million to four Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to lead development of the Primary Care Enhancement Program.
The program will provide GPs and other health professionals with greater support to enable them to provide more effective care to people with intellectual disability.
The four PHNs selected to lead the program over the next four years, with a view to national rollout, are:
- Central and Eastern Sydney PHN
- Western Victoria PHN
- Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN
- Tasmania PHN.
National resources for the program will be developed over the next two years, including a training module for PHN staff, resources for GPs and other primary care professionals, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) linkage tools, and health promotion materials for people with intellectual disability and their families.
Read the Federal Health Minister’s media release for more information.
Being medicinewise during COVID-19
NPS MedicineWise has information and resources to promote being medicine-wise, as well as regularly updated evidence-based information on COVID-19 topics.
We encourage you to share and use these resources with your patients and communities:
- Medicines Lists – Download in English and 10 other languages
- Choosing Wisely 5 Questions – Download in a handy format; five questions patients can ask their doctors
- Medicines Line – consumers can call 1300 MEDICINE to ask questions about medicines
- MedicineWise app – patients can download this app to keep track of their medicines
- COVID-19 hub – regularly updated pandemic information for health professionals and consumers
Visit the Being medicinewise hub for more resources.
Latest edition of the Australian Asthma Handbook out now
The latest version of the Australian Asthma Handbook is now available. This updated resource outlines important new recommendations that could affect many of the 2.7 million Australians with asthma, and focuses on avoiding the underuse of preventer medicines and the corresponding over-reliance on reliever medications.
The Australian Asthma Handbook is Australia’s national guide for asthma management. It provides evidence-based, practical guidance for health professionals diagnosing and managing asthma in adults and children in primary care. The latest edition was informed by ongoing consultation with primary care health professionals and developed with a multidisciplinary network of honorary contributors.
The RACGP has endorsed the updated Australian Asthma Handbook as a clinical guideline.
The National Asthma Council is hosting a webinar on the update at 6.30 pm on 1 September 2020. The Handbook’s Guidelines Committee will present on the evidence of changes and answer questions from the audience.
Register for this webinar on Zoom.
Did you know you can be a GP at headspace?
headspace GPs are a key part of how the organisation delivers support to young people across Australia. They play an important role in supporting the mental, physical and sexual health of young people aged 12–25.
Having GPs onsite at headspace centres provide a safe, low-stigma entry point for young people who may be reluctant to seek help for mental health concerns. Our GPs work holistically with young people and are part of a multidisciplinary team.
headspace is keen to welcome more GPs into its network to help enhance the care provided to young people across Australia. These roles can offer great flexibility, including part-time, face-to-face and telehealth positions, with plenty of opportunity to make a real difference to young people’s lives.
To find out how you can become a headspace GP, visit the headspace website.