The final day of the Royal Australia College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) annual conference, GP13, is set to be another tremendous success with GPs from around Australia participating in myriad workshops, active learning modules (ALMs) and networking events.
Today’s highlights include the following workshops and events:
- 8.30 am – 9.20 am
Guidelines for quality health records in Australian primary healthcare, Dr Michael Civil
- 8.30 am – 9.20 am
When should I share my practice data? Dr Patricia Williams
- 11.15 am – 12.30 pm
How protected is your practice information? Dr Patricia Williams
- 11.15 am – 12.30 pm
Star Trek medicine in general practice – low level laser therapy for the treatment of pain, Dr Roberta Chow
- 1.45 pm – 3.00 pm
The role and responsibilities of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker, Ms Jenny Poelina and Ms Helen Hewett
- 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm
Plenary: Failing to plan for an emergency can cost you more than you think, facilitated by RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles
- 4.15 pm – 4.30 pm
Closing ceremony
- 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Taste of Darwin extravaganza, Gala Dinner, including GP of the Year and National General Practice of the Year Award presentation and performance by Australian musician Adam Brand
Yesterday, conference delegates had the opportunity to hear more about Indigenous healing methods during Dr Theresa Maresca’s keynote presentation ‘AKWE:KON (all of us, together): What American Indian communities can teach general practitioners’.
Today, GPs are invited to learn more about disasters and emergency response plans. Any practice, regardless of its location, can be adversely affected by a disaster. This afternoon’s plenary session entitled ‘Failing to plan for an emergency can cost you more than you think’ will see the RACGP launch its online Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) which practices can use to develop an individually tailored emergency response plan. The NSW and ACT bushfires that are burning across much of the two states, further emphasises the vital role general practice plays in a disaster and the importance of being aptly prepared.
The session, which will be facilitated by RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles and presented by Associate Professor Brad Murphy, Adjunct Associate Professor Glynn Kelly, Mr Andy Wisheart and Dr Penny Burns, will also focus on the aftermath of disasters and the mental health impacts disasters can have on patients.
RACGP President Dr Liz Marles said the final plenary for GP13 is a fantastic way to see out the formal component of the conference and she hopes many GPs will actively commit to better prepare their practices for an emergency situation.
“Emergency preparation is an aspect of business management that can easily be overlooked, but the reality is that any practice, regardless of its location can be affected by a disaster. Having a concrete plan in place is extremely important, and that is what we hope the ERPT will allow GPs to create,” Dr Marles said.
After the closing ceremony, GP13 participants will celebrate in style at the ‘Taste of Darwin Extravaganza’ gala dinner, the premier social event of the year on GPs’ calendars.
During the gala event, a range of RACGP awards will be announced (including GP of the Year and National General Practice of the Year awards), honouring GPs who have shown outstanding commitment to the general practice professional and the patients and communities they serve.
Guests will dine on local fare and enjoy a night of spectacular entertainment provided by three time platinum and five gold album winning Australian musician Adam Brand. The event will also include a champagne tasting hosted by Dr Sean Stevens, the three time Western Australian finalist in Le Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC) competition.
To download an up-to-date conference program and for more information, including venue information, visit www.gpconference.com.au.
Conference delegates are able to access real time conference updates, personal scheduling functionality, note recording and more via the free GP13 smartphone app. Access the app at www.gpconference.mobi.
Media representatives are invited to attend the conference.
Follow GP13 on Twitter @RACGPConference for real-time conference updates. The official hash tag is #gp13live.