December 2019

It has been a big year for the RACGP and the year ahead looks to be even bigger and better in Queensland.

Member-focused

The RACGP is intent on increasing its focus on members. The RACGP exists to serve the interests of its members and promote the health of the nation, and is currently seeking to reaffirm this commitment. One way we’ve sought to demonstrate this commitment is through freezing your membership fees this year.

Advocacy

Advocacy continues to be an important area of focus for the RACGP. Years of Medicare underfunding needed to be recognised and corrected. The reality is, of course, that governments are unlikely to properly fund primary care unless they are forced to. In order to continue providing an appropriate service to our patients, more of us are going to need to recognise the necessity of increased patient co-payments. Unfortunately, we are in a situation where the bulk-billing rate is seen as the de facto marker for the success of the primary care sector. This is probably among the worst indicators of the effectiveness in our healthcare system; however, it seems to be the political reality we have to deal with.

The RACGP will continue to advocate for RACGP members and their patients for a system that is properly funded. In the meantime, we need to support practices so they can remain viable in the face of very low rebates that may well mean less bulk billing. 

All things Fellowship

It has been a great year for RACGP Queensland. We have increased our activities in the north of the state, including exam preparation courses, the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), Key Feature Problem (KFP) and OSCE exams, several educational workshops, a Members Meeting and a Fellowship graduation ceremony – all during 2019.  The success of the north Queensland activities means the Fellowship ceremony will now join the others activities and become a regular event in north Queensland. A Fellowship ceremony is currently being planned for Cairns in September 2020.

Check-up and chat

We conducted several events with Queensland politicians, including a highly successful ‘Check-up and chat’ session within the Queensland parliament. Strong advocacy is of particular importance in Queensland at this time. Queensland’s unicameral parliamentary system means that we often see new legislation introduced to Queensland before other states.

RACGP Queensland events 2020

Early in the new year, keep your eyes open for member activities and events across Queensland, including: the new Fellows ‘Hot topics’ day in March, the RACGP Practice Owners National Conference in May, a ‘Point-of-care ultrasound’ workshop in May and the return of the annual Queensland Members Meeting and dinner in September 2020.

On behalf of myself and your patients, I thank all Queensland GPs and practice staff for the wonderful work you have been doing over the past year.

Please allow me to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a sensational holiday season. 

Cheers,

Dr Bruce Willett

Event	Date	Location
CPR workshop	Thursday 23 January 2020	Brisbane
2020.1 KFP exam	Friday 7 February 2020	Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Townsville
2020.1 AKT exam	Saturday 8 February 2020	Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Townsville
Business of General Practice Group – Meet and greet	Tuesday 18 February 2020	Brisbane
CPR workshop	Saturday 22 February 2020	Eatons Hill
Obesity: Lifestyle interventions	Thursday 27 February 2020	Webinar
CPR workshop	Tuesday 3 March 2020	Brisbane
New Fellows Committee: Hot topics	Saturday 7 March 2020	Brisbane
New examiner training	Thursday 12 March 2020	Brisbane
2020.2 AKT KFP workshop	Saturday 28 March 2020	Brisbane
2020.2 AKT KFP workshop	Sunday 29 March 2020	Brisbane
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound	Saturday 30 May 2020	Toowoomba

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Are you a general practice owner, aspiring practice owner or a contractor looking to develop your network and skills in the business of general practice?

Join us for our inaugural 2020 event. This group was formed in response to members wanting to learn more about the business of general practice.

This event will be a great opportunity for the group committee members to meet with you. They want to understand what areas you would like us to focus on moving forward. It will also be a great opportunity to meet colleagues who are also in the business of general practice right here in Queensland. We hope to see you there.

Register to attend.

Saturday 7 March 2020

Back by popular demand, the RACGP Queensland New Fellows Committee is hosting a ‘Hot topics’ workshop. This is a full-day educational degustation for the mind with six one-hour presentations on topical issues, including:

• genetic testing
• cardiovascular risk assessment and management
• childhood obesity
• focused psychological skills
• environmental health
• technology in general practice.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with the presenters towards the end of each topic.

You are welcome to stay after the event for a glass of wine, a bite of cheese and some conversation. Mingle with fellow GPs and meet representatives from your RACGP Queensland Council to tell us what other events you’d like from your faculty.

Afterwards, challenge your colleagues or have your family and friends join us for a round of putt-putt golf or just enjoy an evening meal overlooking the greens and parklands with the Brisbane CBD in the background.

Register to attend.

From James Flynn (RACGP Queensland State Manager) and all the staff, we wish you and your families happy holidays and a safe, happy New Year.

We are all looking forward to seeing as many members as we can at the host of member-focused activities and events we have planned in 2020.

The RACGP Queensland office will be closed from 4.00 pm, Monday 23 December 2019 and will re-open 8.30 am, Monday 6 January 2020. 

 

The 2017–19 triennium ends on Tuesday 31 December 2019. A minimum of 130 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points is required for the triennium. This includes:

• two category 1 activities, one of which must be a quality improvement activity; and
• 1x CPR course.

If you are yet to lodge your activities in the dashboard for this triennium, please ensure this is done by Tuesday 31 December 2019.

The 2020–22 triennium officially starts on Wednesday 1 January 2020. We have listened to our members – the new triennium has undergone some changes and enhancements to ensure a simpler process, with a stronger education focus and a seamless experience. There is no change to the minimum requirements. We are providing new technology, including the MyCPDApp and an improved CPD dashboard, to remove barriers and provide a more personalised experience.

More information.

2020.1 KFP	Friday 7 February 2020
2020.1 AKT	Wednesday 18 March 2020
2020.1 OSCE	Saturday 23 May 2020

If you are interested in becoming an examiner for the 2020.1 OSCE in May next year, email the RACGP Queensland Examinations team on qld.exam@racgp.org.au or call 07 3456 8944.

Alternatively, download and submit the application form.

Vaping

We’re fast approaching the holiday season when many people overindulge, often with alcohol and sometimes with tobacco.

Recently, the use of e-cigarettes (known as vaping) has been debated as an alternative to nicotine replacement for smoking cessation. So it is alarming that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported over 2000 e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injuries (EVALI) and 47 fatalities in the United States. Toxicology suggests Vitamin E acetate and THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol] as added causative agents¹_.

In Australia, flavoured nicotine vaping products are available for online purchase, despite regulations to the contrary.

What can we learn from the US experience?

Most notably 27.5% of US high school children of a mean age of 16 years and 10.5% of middle school children of mean age 12.7 years vape. Most of them use fruit or mint flavours²_.

But vaping use among school children is associated with 3.5 times the risk of becoming cigarette smokers and or marijuana users than those who never vaped^3–4_.

This suggests a worrying similarity to the past ‘alcopops’ problem regarding fruit-flavoured alcoholic drinks, with children’s’ future risk of drug use increased by vaping. The e-cigarette made more seductive because of added flavours. With Australia’s current smoking rates being in the order of 13%⁵, it would be a public health disaster if our school children follow in the footsteps of their US equivalents.

As GPs, we all need to be aware of the potential threats, recognise the problems and reflect on all types of drug use, as we may be able to make a difference.

Lastly, we should not suggest vaping as a better way forward than regulated nicotine replacement therapy, as the evidence does not support this.

Dr Jane Smith
Chair, RACGP Queensland Research Support Committee

Registrations open in January 2020

RACGP members are encouraged to sign up for the Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology when registrations open in January 2020.

The certificate is vital if you would like to maintain or improve your knowledge and skills in this important area of general practice.

The registration link is coming soon. In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about the certificate, please email dermcert@racgp.org.au

In this engaging 24-minute podcast, Dr Sara Whitburn is interviewed about the role of GPs in promoting children’s resilience and mental health.

Sara, a GP and lactation consultant in a private practice in Melbourne, has a strong interest in women’s and children’s health, and the early years of parenting. She discusses the unique opportunity that GPs have to support child mental health and ways of bringing the conversation into the consulting room.

Listen to the podcast, plus access the links to resources Sara discusses via the link below. Further GP resources are available on the Emerging Minds website.

Listen to the podcast.

^Paid contribution.

*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

 

Do you have patients who used to work in Queensland mines or quarries?

Coal, mineral mine and quarry workers are at risk of developing a range of occupational Mine Dust Lung Disease (MDLD). The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) arranges free respiratory health assessments for eligible former workers. To find out about the scheme, call 07 3818 5420.

What is MDLD?

MDLD is a term for the group of diseases that can result from long-term occupational exposure to respirable mineral dust.

The risk of developing disease may be higher for people who are more sensitive to dust exposure. Occupational respirable dust exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and prolonged exposure can lead to a range of MDLD, including:

• coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP, black lung)
• silicosis
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• pulmonary fibrosis
• lung cancer.

What does a respiratory health assessment involve?

The DNRME will arrange a referral to an appropriately qualified doctor who is registered with the department.  All appointments will be arranged by this provider, including referral to appropriately qualified and registered x-ray and spirometry providers.

The assessment includes:

• a respiratory questionnaire
• a chest x-ray read to the ILO classification by at least two certified B-reader radiologists
• spirometry
• follow-up testing, including respiratory physician referral, HRCT and laboratory lung function test if required.

What do I do if my patient is a former mine or quarry worker?

You can advise your patient to contact DNRME’s Health Surveillance Unit on 07 3818 5420 or email formerworker@dnrme.qld.gov.au to check their eligibility and apply for an assessment. Once approved, they will be put in touch with one of our providers who will work with them to arrange their appointments. Costs, including any necessary follow-up testing and travel/accommodation, are paid by DNRME.

Patients with pre-existing MDLD

If your patient is a former mine or quarry worker who is already diagnosed with a MDLD, they may be eligible for ongoing, free respiratory health assessments to monitor the disease. To find out more all DNRME’s Health Surveillance Unit on 07 3818 5420.

This article was provided by The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME).

*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

WorkCover Queensland has reviewed and updated the table of costs for medical treatment applicable for workers’ compensation in Queensland. The changes are effective 1 December 2019 and impact the Medical items table of costs and the Supplementary services table of costs for GPs and Specialists.

Below are the details of the updated Medical items table of costs:

• MBS item numbers and fees

The Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers, explanations, definitions, rules and conditions for services provided by medical practitioners have been adopted and fees have been indexed in line with CPI and Wage Index increases.

 

• Supplementary services table of costs

The supplementary services table of costs for both GPs and specialists have also been reviewed for accuracy and appropriateness. These supplementary services table of costs provide for item numbers that fall outside the MBS but are used by workers’ compensation insurers specifically for referred services such as independent medical examinations, case conferences, medical reports and other communication.

 

• Optimising treating services – Diagnostic imaging fees

Following extensive research and analysis across jurisdictions, workshops and stakeholder consultations, we have identified a need to review our treating services model to ensure alignment with schemes across Australia to not only deliver better outcomes for our customers, but also to sustain an equitable and viable scheme in Queensland.

Initial investigations have focused on diagnostic imaging and we are consulting with the relevant stakeholders and industry bodies to ensure a fair and equitable fee schedule.

In the meantime, diagnostic imaging fees (x-ray, USS, nuclear imaging, CT and MRI) will temporarily remain unchanged for this 1 December 2019 release. We will update the fee schedule as we progress our research and stakeholder consultation.

Research and analysis will also continue across other medical and allied health services to identify further improvements and we will continue to work with the relevant professional bodies to implement change.

• Legislative amendments

​The Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislative Amendment Bill 2019 was recently passed by the Queensland Parliament. The amendments enhance the claims management process, rehabilitation and return to work and support for psychologically injured workers.  View more information about the changes and what you need to do.​

You can access the updated fees on our Medical fees page. If you have any queries, please contact us. For individual workers’ compensation questions, such as payment of invoices, please contact the relevant insurer (WorkCover or the self-insurer).

This article was provided by WorkCover Queensland.

*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

The 5th International Health Care Reform Conference will again bring together healthcare organisations, policy makers, consumers, researchers and clinicians from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Asia Pacific and North America, to continue the reform platform for healthcare globally, and to further develop our international network for future growth.

The conference committee is delighted that the 2020 conference will be held in Sydney. Conference registration is now open.

Register to attend. 

*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.