RACGP Queensland
Bruce Roberts Bequest
Funded Placements

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound workshop for rural GPs

RACGP Queensland
Bruce Roberts Bequest
Funded Placements

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound workshop for rural GPs

Scholarship opportunities

RACGP Queensland is offering limited, but heavily-discounted places for Queensland GPs in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 2-7 to complete Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in Townsville on the 23rd of September 2023.

Each scholarship will reduce registration to $50 (full value $995) to complete the course with RACGP. You will be required to register and pay the full amount. Once the workshop has been completed and you receive your certificate of attainment, you will be refunded $945. This program is funded by the generosity of the Dr Bruce Roberts’ bequest, donated to RACGP Queensland to develop, and support ongoing education initiatives for GPs living and working in regional, rural, and remote Queensland communities.

Submit an expression of interest

About the Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound workshop

Point-of-care ultrasound is an increasingly effective diagnostic tool in rural general practice, particularly in areas with limited access to specialist services. Now that portable ultrasound devices are becoming more affordable and efficient, GPs are developing a keen interest in the use and applications of point-of-care ultrasound.

The introduction to point-of-care ultrasound training will help increase your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process. Experts will guide you through the diverse applications of point-of-care ultrasound in rural primary care. You will be introduced to basic techniques using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor GE Healthcare.

Participants will have the opportunity to rotate through six ultrasound skills stations covering:

  1. eFast
  2. deep venous thrombosis
  3. heart and lung ultrasound
  4. intravenous line placement and foreign object retrieval
  5. musculoskeletal soft tissue
  6. first trimester transabdominal obstetric ultrasound.

The workshop uses a combination of technology, peer learning groups and locally available resources to provide GPs with access to the Pocus skills whilst remaining in their practice and community.

Access to the grant

Participants who wish to access funding for the Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs must be an RACGP member currently working as a GP in training or general practitioner within Queensland.

The grants are only available to RACGP members who are practising in rural/remote areas MMM 2-7 in Queensland who intend to continue working in a rural Queensland MMM 2-7 location after completing the course.

To apply for funding, RACGP members must complete an online expression of interest form.

GPs will only be able to access the grant once.

Applications are assessed by the RACGP and approved applicants will be accepted to the program.

Once approved by the RACGP, the applicant will have up to seven (7) business days to register for an available intake and to pay the full amount. Once you have completed the workshop, you will be refunded for all amounts paid over $50. 

By applying to access Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs, the applicant provides consent for the RACGP to share information with third parties consistent with the purposes of assessing eligibility, delivering, and reporting the outcomes of the Pocus workshop.

Registrations and Cancellations

Once accepted and registered for the workshop, all cancellations or amendments must be made in writing to qld.bequest@racgp.org.au.

Participants are required to contact the RACGP with requests to withdraw from the workshop a minimum of seven (7) business days before the workshop date.

For participants who reschedule in writing at least seven business days in advance of the start of the workshop may be able to register for an alternative workshop, pending availability.

Completion of the program

To successfully complete the Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs, participants will be required to complete the full-day workshop, all associated pre and post reading, CPD activities and an evaluation survey of the program.

Grant funds will not be applied for partial or incomplete completion of the workshop. If a participant does not attend the workshop without previous notification to qld.bequest@racgp.org.au, the course fees ($995) will not be refunded and no longer eligible for Bequest funding.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be provided with a Certificate of Completion and will also be required to complete an evaluation survey.

Application form submission

When applying for Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs you must declare that:

  • You have read the Terms and Conditions and meet the eligibility criteria.
  • You understand the Terms and Conditions and eligibility criteria.
  • You will adhere to all Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs requirements as outlined by the RACGP.
  • You will notify the RACGP in writing before the start of your scheduled intake should you need to cancel or amend your workshop participation and understand that you will not be refunded.
  • You understand all flights and accommodation costs will not be covered by the Bequest.
  • The information provided in your application is true and correct at the point of application.

How to apply?

Places are limited; please complete an expression of interest, and your application will be assessed. We will be in contact to advise you of the outcome in due course.

The Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs is a hybrid activity under the RACGP CPD 2023-2025 Triennium. A total of 10 hours includes 5 hours Educational Activity and 5 hours of Reviewing Performance.


    

Testimonial

Feedback from participants has been very positive with GPs indicating that the workshop significantly increased their confidence in using ultrasound:

“This is amazing, and I hope to see more of it. Thank you very much to all concerned, particularly the mix of sonographers and clinicians with primary care focus was really, really good. They were local so now we have more connections in our own workforce!”

‘I believe I have achieved what I set out to achieve from this learning activity. I will now be able to apply the knowledge gained in everyday clinical settings to improve my practice and hopefully improve clinical outcomes’.