The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is set to make a difference to health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at its national conference, GP13, held in Darwin on 17–19 October.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is a primary focus of the GP13 program with the aim of ensuring all general practitioners and their practice staff provide culturally and clinically appropriate healthcare to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
Associate Professor Brad Murphy, Chair of the RACGP's National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, said ‘Closing the Gap’ on health outcomes and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community is one of Australia’s highest health priorities.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same right as non-Indigenous Australians to enjoy a high quality of health, including not just the physical wellbeing of the individual, but also the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the entire community,” A/Prof Murphy said.
A highlight of the GP13 program is key note speaker, Dr Theresa Maresca (Mohawk Tribe, Kahnawake Band) presenting AKWE:KON (all of us, together): What American Indian communities can teach general practitioners plenary session.
A/Prof Murphy said, “The importance of learning from other cultures success and failures in incorporating Indigenous culture into general practice is critical if Australia is to move closer to removing health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.”
The RACGP’s National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, working closely with the Larrakia Nation, is hosting this year’s GP13 conference and offers delegates a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health related presentations and workshops*, including:
Wednesday 16 October (College Day)
- National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health annual meeting and the Standing Strong Together Forum
- Announcements of the RACGP Standing Strong Together Award, recognising partnerships between GPs and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Thursday 17 October
- Plenary – Health is a state of mind, Dr Jeff McMullen AM
- Working successfully in an Aboriginal medical service – building an introductory workshop, Dr Tamsin Cockayne and Ms Leeanne Pena
Friday 18 October
- Plenary – AKWE:KON (all of us, together): What American Indian communities can teach general practitioners, Dr Theresa Maresca
- The experience of working in Indigenous medicine on the Tiwi Islands, Dr Rodney Omond
- Addressing awareness and practice gaps of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – a comprehensive approach to knowledge creation and translation, Mrs Rhonda Garad
- Quality training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, Dr Tim Senior
- Islander medicine, A/Prof Bruce Harris
Saturday 19 October
- The role and responsibilities of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker, Ms Jenny Poelina and Mr Clarke Scott
- Increasing the number of Indigenous medical specialists, Dr Tammy Kimpton
The RACGP is pleased to host two Aboriginal medical students at GP13, who have been given the opportunity to attend through student bursaries offered by the RACGP.
A number of traditional Aboriginal artwork will be available for purchase for the duration of the GP13 conference.
The RACGP is proud to support efforts to tackle health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians and acknowledges the daily work of many of its members to improve health outcomes for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
Media representatives are invited to attend GP13 and are required to register through the media registration site.
Follow GP13 on Twitter @RACGPConference for real-time GP13 conference updates.
(* Correct at time of distribution, please check www.gpconference.com.au for up-to-date program)