News
In Practice: Last call for RACGP Mentoring Program
The application period closes on Sunday 12 November, with mentees especially encouraged to take advantage of the free support and guidance.
The RACGP Mentoring Program is a gateway to connection, inspiration, and unwavering support.
This week’s In Practice also features one of the largest webinar selections so far in 2023, as well as information on how to nominate for an Australian Digital Health Agency committee, and details about subsidised glucose monitors for veterans.
Applications for RACGP Mentoring Program closing soon
From seasoned GPs eager to share their wealth of knowledge, or aspiring professionals seeking guidance, the RACGP Mentoring Program is a gateway to connection, inspiration, and unwavering support.
Those interested need to act fast, as the extended application deadline of Sunday 12 November is fast approaching.
The 12-month program provides specialised training and support services, fostering a dynamic two-way mentoring relationship, and an opportunity to share experiences, gain insights, and navigate the pressures of general practice.
GPs are encouraged to unlock their potential and strengthen bonds within the general practice community. Register for the program on the RACGP website.
Nominations open for Australian Digital Health Agency committees
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) Board is seeking members for the following two advisory committees:
These committees provide advice and make recommendations to the Board specific to their function. Further information about the committees, along with guidance on what is expected of members and how to apply to become a member, can be accessed via the above links.
Members interested in applying must provide the required information to the AHDA’s Secretariat at
secretariat@digitalhealth.gov.au by 24 November.
What does the new reproductive carrier screening Medicare rebate mean for general practice?
Webinar: Wednesday 22 November 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 EA hour
On 1 November, a new MBS item
became available for GPs to request a three-condition reproductive carrier screening test (for fragile X, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy).
This webinar, presented by Professor Jon Emery, Professor Martin Delatycki and Dr Ruth Leibowitz, will help GPs understand this test’s potential uses for pre-conception and prenatal carrier screening.
Learning outcomes:
- Discuss the role of reproductive carrier screening as part of pre-conception and prenatal care, and the potential reproductive choices available to carrier couples
- Identify potential uses of and practical application of the new MBS item to order a three-condition reproductive carrier screening test for fragile X, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy
- Discuss the availability of and ways to offer expanded reproductive carrier screening to cover a larger number of rare inherited conditions
Register
online.
The new National Tobacco Strategy: How NRT can help
Webinar: Tuesday 28 November, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 hour
The Australian Government has ambitious targets to slash smoking rates to 5% by 2030.
GPs and other health professionals have been highlighted as playing a key role in achieving this target, with increasing requirements on smoking cessation counselling.
This webinar aims to unpack the implications of the new National Tobacco Strategy for GPs, as well as how they can prepare for new public health campaigns and discuss nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) counselling with a focus on using it as a re-engagement tactic.
Learning outcomes:
- Build awareness of the changing landscape on smoking cessation as it pertains to the National Tobacco Strategy
- Assist GPs in understanding NRT use, counselling and common patient mistakes
- Demonstrate strategies for re-engaging or engaging with smokers using NRT care
Register online.
Free COPD webinar
Webinar: Wednesday 15 November, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 hour
Keeping lungs healthy is an integral part of future health and it is now more important than ever to act sooner. There are many other factors besides tobacco smoking that can contribute to COPD and that can start early in life and effect young individuals.
In addition,
GOLD has identified precursor conditions that can provide new opportunities for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
In 2023, World COPD Day (15 November) is aiming to highlight the importance of early lung health, early diagnosis and early interventions, via its theme of ‘Breathing is Life – Act Earlier’.
GPs are encouraged to attend this
free webinar, facilitated by the Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Respiratory Medicine, Dr Kerry Hancock, and presented in partnership with Boehringer, to help implement evidence-based assessment tools and treatment algorithms in clinical practice.
Register online.
Register for the final ‘Zoomapalooza’ of the year
Date: Saturday 2 December 2023, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm (AEDT)
Cost: $55
CPD: 3 hours Reviewing Performance (RP)
Facilitated by RACGP Specific Interests group Chairs, ‘Zoomapalooza’ is an opportunity to gain three hours of CPD Reviewing Performance via online case-based discussion and collaboration with peers.
This session will focus on sexual health medicine, transgender and gender-diverse healthcare and child and young person’s health.
Attendees will spend an hour on each subject and rotate through all three in a safe, reflective space to share cases and experiences, and receive feedback and support from colleagues.
Register online.
Glucose monitors for veterans
Requests for continuous glucose monitors can now be prescribed by a client’s GP, diabetes educator, diabetes clinic, registered nurse and/or specialist.
The change makes it easier for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients living with diabetes to access these devices, as previously the initial request for a continuous glucose monitor had to be made by the patient’s endocrinologist.
More information is available on the
DVA website.
GP Research Project Noticeboard
The GP Research Project Noticeboard presents surveys and research projects that GPs can participate in.
Current projects include a GP survey on obesity management in primary care, and research focusing on the barriers and enablers to general practice referral of older adults for hearing care.
Members can also submit their research projects to the noticeboard to invite participation from the general practice community.
A general practice approach to the struggling child in the vulnerable family
Webinar: Tuesday 14 November, 7.30 – 9.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1.5 Educational Activities (EA)
This webinar will look at the incidence and nature of child maltreatment in Australia and, taking a child-centred approach, will explore how GPs can support and strengthen vulnerable families.
It will also cover practical approaches for dealing with common presentations and how to best communicate with families with a struggling child, including key messages that can be used.
This collaboration between the Psychological Medicine, Abuse and Violence in Families, and Child and Young Person’s Health RACGP Specific Interests groups will include a Q&A with the group Chairs.
Register online.
WA skin cancer workshop
Date: Saturday 2 December, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
CPD: 5 EA hours and 5 RP hours
Cost: $249 for RACGP members, $339 for non-members
This workshop will provide training and comprehensive guidelines to GPs on the diagnosis and treatment of various types of skin cancer, as well as information on histopathology report formats, terminology and the correlation of the dermatoscopic features of skin lesions and the corresponding histological findings.
Learning outcomes:
- Diagnose and appropriately manage the various types of BCC, SCC and melanoma
- Use revised pattern analysis to recognise malignancy
- Use dermatoscopic analysis to identify the key features of melanoma and non-melanoma skin lesions
- Use clinical clues to diagnose melanoma
This event is being hosted in partnership with Sonic Education.
Register
online.
Intro to dermoscopy workshop – all you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
Date: Friday 24 November, 12.30 – 5.00 pm
Location: Karstens Melbourne, 123 Queen Street
CPD: 2.5 EA + 1.5 RP
Cost: $400
GPs can expand their knowledge on the use of dermoscopy for diagnosis and monitoring of skin lesions in a new four-hour workshop.
Dermoscopy is a highly valuable tool GPs use in the day-to-day evaluation of skin lesions. This four-hour workshop provides an introduction and overview of dermoscopy, its benefits and abilities in diagnosing and monitoring skin lesions in general practice.
It will give participants:
- a firm foundation of knowledge about the skills of dermoscopy
- exposure to the ways of identifying structures and types of skin lesion using dermoscopy
- the ability to understand the language used in describing skin lesions as seen using dermoscopy.
Register
online.
HCF’s joining bonus for RACGP members
For the month of November,
members who join HCF corporate hospitals and extras and stay with HCF for three months will earn up to $200 cash back for families or couples, or up to $100 cash back for singles.
Log in below to join the conversation.
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