June 2019

The 2019 Federal Election is over and, for most of us, the result was quite a surprise – I even lost a bet with my wife on the election result. For me, however, the biggest concern in the lead up to the election was how little general practice was discussed by both major political parties. Once again, hospital services and oncology were the main health issues discussed by our political leaders. Australians take quality primary healthcare for granted and unfortunately, an underfunded primary health system does not grab headlines in the way ambulance ramping or cancer treatments do. 

When it came to the election campaign, bulk-billing rates seemed to be the only measure of the effectiveness of our healthcare system, which is of course nonsensical. The risk is that as funding for general practice continues to be throttled back, some practitioners may seek to make the service fit the payment rather than having the payment fit the service. My concern with this scenario is that simple services will leave general practice more open to claims by pharmacists, nurses and others, the claim being they can do the job just as well – or worse – and it opens up the argument to further reduce rebates.

As a profession, we need to consider if we are willing to accept whatever rebate the government decides to hand us or charge a reasonable rebate that allows us to provide a quality service to our patients. Regardless, the more time spent with our patients not only provides better outcomes for our patients, but allows a more meaningful and enjoyable day at work.

Some patients need to be bulk-billed and we have a responsibility to make sure they get the care they need; however, we need to have respect for what we do if we expect politicians to do the same.

Cheers,

Dr Bruce Willett
RACGP Queensland Chair

Registration is currently open for the above linked events. Bookmark the Queensland events page to keep up to date with education and networking events across Queensland.

As Chair of the RACGP Education Committee, I would like to thank all involved in making the 61st Clinical Update Weekend a fantastic success, including the participants, presenters, sponsors, staff and education committee members.

I couldn’t help but feel proud when sitting in a packed auditorium that Friday with a palpable atmosphere, anticipating the opening plenary by Professor Paul Glazsiou. I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the presentations and engagement by the participants. There was a sense of curiosity and collegiality that made me proud to be a GP. The networking on Friday evening with drinks and canapés was just what the doctor ordered.

Thank you to the research plenary presenters for your stimulating research papers on Saturday and congratulations to Dr Rebecca Stewart on winning the best research presentation award. As RACGP Queensland members, I think we should be proud of the clinical update for its tradition, innovation and quality, bringing together urban and rural GPs with the common goal of improving patient care.

Thanks again!

Dr Scott Preston
RACGP Queensland Education Committee Chair

Thank you to the RACGP Queensland New Fellows Committee members who have volunteered their time this year, with all the other demands of their career, and designed a fantastic schedule of new Fellows events. Dr Alex Hofer and Dr Krystyna de Lange also represented the Committee at the 61st Clinical Update. Dr Paul Bryan and myself will represent the Committee at the upcoming Fellowship and Awards Ceremonies.

Practice Owners Conference

I recently attended the Practice Owners’ Conference in Sydney. It was articulate, balanced and values-driven and I was proud to see so many new Fellows in attendance. Events like this connect the ends of the professional lifespan, engaging registrars and new Fellows with retiring practice owners, so we can keep general practice ‘in the profession'.

New Fellows as supervisors

Every Fellow can grow the diversity of training environments by becoming a supervisor upon receiving Fellowship. The myth of chronology (more time equals better supervision) has been busted. Being a supervisor is about competence in skills that can be learned. Many new Fellows underestimate how much education experience they have and how valuable their recent training experience is to supervising registrars.

Visit the General Practice Training Queensland or Generalist Medical Training websites to see how you can apply to be a supervisor. 

Further updates from the RACGP Queensland New Fellows Committee will be available in the August newsletter.

Now is a great time to assess whether you have met your minimum requirements for the current triennium.

CPR and Category 1 activities

Did you know that if you complete an ALS/ACLS course greater than six hours in duration where CPR is formally assessed, you can submit this as a Category 1 active learning module with 40 points and CPR recognition?

To submit your ALS/ACLS course:

1.  Log into myCPD.

2.  Select Submit a self-directed activity.

3.  Select and complete the individual active learning module form and tick CPR.

Quality improvement reflection 

If you have already completed a Category 1 activity and points have been allocated, you have the option to complete a quality improvement (QI) reflection form to meet your QI requirement.

The QI reflection form requires you to reflect on your improvements in knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, skills and/or practice systems as a result of completing your chosen Category 1 activity.

To access the online form:

1.  Log into myCPD.

2.  Select Submit a self-directed activity.

3.  Select and complete the QI reflection form based on your chosen Category 1 activity.

For more information, please view the QI&CPD handbook for general practitioners.

If you require support in completing your outstanding QI&CPD requirements, please call the RACGP Queensland CPD team on 07 3456 8944.

If you are interested in becoming an examiner for the 2019‌.2 OSCE in November, contact the RACGP Queensland Examinations team on email qld.exam@racgp.org.au or call 07 3456 8944. Alternatively, download and submit the application form.

Save when you renew by 30 June

Receive a pay-on-time membership discount when you renew your RACGP membership by Sunday 30 June 2019.

As an RACGP member, you belong to Australia’s largest general practice community of more than 40,000 members. Renew now to enjoy the member benefits, have access to a number of collaborative spaces and participate in educational activities.
 
Discover your member benefits or renew now.

The RACGP eHealth webinar series presents monthly webinars throughout 2019 on topics pertinent to general practice.

The quality of patient health records is an important factor in the provision of safe and effective healthcare. Maintaining good quality patient health records supports appropriate clinical decision-making and continuity of care, especially with the increasing use of shared care models. It also contributes to data provision for research and policy, education and medico-legal purposes.

These free webinars will outline what constitutes a high-quality health record and how practices can put systems in place to ensure they produce health records that are fit for purpose, in alignment with the resource Improving health record quality in general practice.

A number of session times are available. Visit the RACGP website to register.

Webinars are accredited for two Category 2 QI&CPD points.

Webinar recordings are made available via the RACGP website at the conclusion of each month’s sessions.

RACGP Rural has designed the Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) model to provide a clear, viable mental health skill acquisition pathway without having to leave your practice.

The training package will provide you with focussed psychological strategies skills derived from cognitive behavioural therapy as part of a treatment plan for common mental health problems.

The FPS ST comprises 21 hours of online learning, practical use of skills and active group discussion, all accessible through the RACGP’s gplearning platform.

Modules 1, 2 and 3 are each accredited for 40 Category 1 QI&CPD points. Module 4 is accredited for two Category 2 QI&CPD points. 

The FPS ST is also accredited by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration and enables GPs access to Medicare items for providing psychological treatment services.

Registration for the fourth intake is open now for training commencement on Wednesday 28 August 2019.

Register for the August 2019 intake now.

Futurist and social researcher, Mark McCrindle, will share with GP19 delegates a detailed overview of the patient of future.

In this session, Mark will paint a picture that will include (along with many other details): who they are, why they’ll visit their GP, how they’ll find you and how they’ll want to interact with you. This session will help prepare you for the patient of the future.

Find out more about Mark McCrindle.
View the GP19 program.
Register now.

Working with the industry body and colleges over many years has allowed William Buck’s specialist advisors to develop a depth of knowledge and expertise to the needs of our general practitioners’ clients.
 
We ensure doctors take action now and prepare for the future; working with you to make the most of your income and developing a wealth creation strategy attuned to the goals that reflect your true priorities.

Contact us for a free consultation.

*Paid contribution.

The B.strong program (2017–19) is working to close the 10-year gap for Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by building the capacity of Queensland’s frontline health and community service professionals to deliver smoking, nutrition and physical activity brief interventions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

Queensland Health-funded B.strong includes a one-day, face-to-face workshop, six eModules, client brochures, a help desk and a Facebook support group. Menzies School of Health Research is developing, delivering and evaluating the program that is based on current Australian guidelines. Training focuses on motivational interviewing and other skills that health professionals need to help their clients with brief interventions to change their risky health behaviours.

Queensland-based GPs and other health professionals are invited to register to attend a B.strong workshop Alternatively, you many complete the six B.strong eModules.

More information and registration.

RACGP Queensland is pleased to support the Queensland Health Rural Doctors Upskilling Program (RDUP) in 2019. The RDUP is run through the Office of the Queensland Chief Health Officer and provides funding to facilitate greater access to training posts within Queensland public hospitals.

The program provides a one-off payment of up to $50,000 per applicant. The funding will be provided to the Hospital and Health Services (HHS) where the candidate will be undertaking the training, with upskilling required to be completed within the 2019–20 financial year.

There are two different application form types:

1. Maintenance: For GPs and rural generalists (RGs) with advanced specialised/rural skills to undertake training to maintain their advanced skills.
2. Upskilling: For GPs and RGs wishing to access a training position to acquire a special interest skill.

Applications will close on Monday 15 July 2019.

View more information and application forms.

The Department of Health is currently undertaking a review of the Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive (PIP IHI). This review aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the PIP IHI to support general practices to provide culturally appropriate healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic disease. 

ThinkPlace has been engaged to facilitate the digital engagement activities associated with the consultation process. The consultation paper on the PIP IHI is available on the Department of Health’s webpage. The deadline for written submissions has been extended to Monday 15 July 2019.

Submit your review.

This medicinal cannabis research aims to explore the behavioural variables behind the use of medicinal cannabis.

The aim is to seek input from Australian health professionals across the disciplines of nursing, medicine and pharmacy that influence health professionals in relation to the prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicinal cannabis.

These results are not for commercial use; they are intended to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The research team declares no conflicts of interest.

The study has been approved by the Queensland University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committee.

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Influenza (the flu) is dangerous, particularly in high-risk groups, such as young children. Vaccination is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the flu. The flu vaccine is safe and free for children aged between six months and five years.

You can play an important role in the prevention of the flu by talking to patients about the severity of the flu and encouraging vaccinations.

Queensland Health’s campaign prompts parents to book a flu vaccination appointment with their GP. Please help with the call-to-arms and keep all children safe this flu season.

View the campaign resources.