Bush Alert August 2019


Chair report


Message from the Chair – Assoc Prof Ayman Shenouda

Welcome to the August edition of our Bush Alert newsletter.


Advocacy and education

In the past few months, we were focusing on advocacy and education. I had meetings with both state and Commonwealth governments, including the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, to discuss health issues in rural and remote Australia and to continue lobbying for rural GPs.
 
We welcome the Rural Medical Workforce Plan consultation draft initiative by South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade, to establish a strategy to fix the major shortfall in its rural primary care workforce. We will continue to collaborate to ensure small country towns have adequately trained, skilled doctors to address the needs of their communities.
 
RACGP Rural has been active in contributing to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce reports and inquiries conducted by the Senate and the Productivity Commission into accessibility and quality of rural and remote mental health services.

 

Rural Generalist Fellowship Update

Development of the RACGP’s new Rural Generalist Fellowship is now underway. Work commenced on the formal application to have rural generalist medicine recognised as a specialised field within general practice.
 
We met with leaders of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the National Rural Health Commissioner at a Joint College Taskforce meeting in June to begin the application process. Recognition is a vital step forward for the National Rural Generalist pathway that is offered by both colleges and will support rural doctors with addressing current and future healthcare needs of rural and remote communities.
 
The RACGP Rural Education Committee met in July to discuss the next phase of the Fellowship, including a review of our Advanced Rural Training Skills (ARST) curriculums. We are also working with other medical colleges, including The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
 

Fellowship and Awards Ceremonies

The state Fellowship ceremonies are fast approaching. I encourage all members to attend and congratulate the new Fellows on their achievement.

 

Rural highlights at GP19

GP19 will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from Thursday to Saturday 24–26 October 2019 and registration is now open.

The conference will deliver an array of program content highly relevant to rural general practice, including active learning modules (ALMs), clinical sessions, the national faculties evening and the 2019 RACGP Rural Member Meeting.

I invite you to attend an RACGP Rural an active learning module on the pre-conference ALM day, Wednesday 23 October:

Please note, the ALM workshops above will not be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Please visit the ALM workshop webpage of the GP19 website for venue information.

 

2019 RACGP Rural Member Meeting

I warmly invite all our members to attend the RACGP Rural Member Meeting with special guest National Rural Health Commissioner, Prof Paul Worley to be held on Friday 25 October from 4pm in Adelaide during GP19.

Come and meet your faculty Council and key stakeholders, and mingle with your colleagues. Registration is now open and I hope to see you there.
 

Assoc Prof Ayman Shenouda
RACGP Rural Chair


Calendar of events


Events calendar

Common ocular presentations and how to manage them Thursday 5 September 2019 Online webinar
Autism training WA Tuesday 24 September 2019 Port Hedland
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Saturday 28 September 2019 Canberra
Palliative care for rural GPs Thursday 3 October 2019 Online webinar
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Wednesday 23 October 2019 Adelaide, GP19 ALM
Rural hospital clinical simulation Wednesday 23 October 2019 Adelaide, GP19 ALM
RACGP Rural Member Meeting Friday 25 October 2019 Adelaide
Bubs in the bush Thursday 7 November 2019 Online webinar
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Thursday 28 November 2019 Sydney, NSW RDN 
Emergency dental for rural GPs Thursday 5 December 2019 Online webinar

Events in the spotlight


Rural hospital clinical simulation

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Enhance your rural emergency medicine skills through seven hands-on simulated scenarios that reflect the challenges of living and working in rural and remote communities. All scenarios are written by experienced GPs from actual cases.

The workshop will be at held at the state-of-art Adelaide Health Simulation – the most technologically advanced simulation facility in Australasia.


Time: 7.30 am – 3.45 pm (Morning tea and lunch provided)
Venue: Adelaide Health Simulation. Level 2, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, Corner of North Terrace and George Street, Adelaide
Cost: $495

This ALM is accredited for 40 Category 1 Quality Improvement and Continuing professional Development (QI&CPD) points. It is also pre-approved for a one-day Rural Procedural Grant in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, or Obstetric components.
 

Why attend?

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

  • lead a team in response to emergency situations with available resources
  • participate as a member of the medical response team to emergency situations
  • recognise the factors that influence a patient’s decision to seek healthcare and comply with medical advice
  • critique and reflect on actions and responses to emergency situations, participate in, and lead a debriefing and feedback session
  • share self-care practices and stress management techniques.

Register now.


RACGP Rural news


Point-of-care ultrasound workshops

We are offering registrars and GPs around Australia the opportunity to gain practical experience in ultrasound.

This full-day active learning module (ALM) will improve your understanding of point-of-care ultrasound applications in the diagnostic process and ultrasound experts will guide you through the diverse applications of ultrasound in primary care services using advanced, high-end mobile equipment. Each workshop is capped at 25 participants to allow hands-on experience.

This ALM is accredited for 40 Category 1 Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) points in the 2017–19 triennium. It is also approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.

Event calendar

Canberra, ACT

Saturday 28 September 2019

Register now

Adelaide, SA

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Register now

           

Sydney, NSW

Thursday 28 November 2019

Register now

Geraldton, WA

Saturday 22 February 2020

Register now

Coffs Harbour, NSW

Saturday 21 March 2020

Register now

Toowoomba, QLD

Saturday 16 May 2020

Register now

Bendigo, VIC

Saturday 20 June 2020

Register now

 


What do former participants have to say?

'I would regard this as one of the best organised and best run practical sessions I have been to. The teachers were universally brilliant. Loved the whole thing and thoroughly recommend it.' – Hobart participant

'Thanks so much for the unique opportunity of learning about point-of-care ultrasound and promoting the confidence of GPs to perform such a highly useful technique in an outpatient setting.' – Cairns participant

'Great course, informative and very useful. Looking forward to using the skills.' – Lakes Entrance participant

Register for a workshop.

Rural health webinar series

Our new 'Rural health' webinar series presents free monthly webinars on important health issues for rural and remote GPs. Each session will be held on the first Thursday of the month and focus on supporting rural and remote GPs with relevant information and resources. 

Webinars are free of charge for all participants and recordings will be available at the conclusion at each webinar.

This webinar series is delivered with support from Access Telehealth. Register for an upcoming webinar below.

Upcoming webinars

Common ocular presentations and how to manage them Thursday 5 September 2019, 7.30pm Register here
Palliative care for rural GPs Thursday 3 October 2019, 7.30pm Register here
Bubs in the bush Thursday 7 November 2019, 7.00pm Register here
Emergency dental for rural GPs Thursday 5 December 2019, 7.00pm Register here

Rural Procedural Grants Program

The Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) commenced in 2004 as an incentive scheme for rural doctors to remain skilled in procedural areas as part of a Medicare package, known as the 'Training for Rural and Remote Procedural GPs Program'.

Around 1500 rural procedural GPs were able to access financial support that will help reduce the costs of undertaking CPD activities in procedural areas.  In December 2005, the government announced an expansion to the program to include emergency medicine. The new component began on 1 February 2006 and has evolved with the needs of the rural workforce.
 

Key principles

RPGP is supporting procedural GPs in rural and remote areas with attending relevant training, focused on skills maintenance and upskilling. Support is provided in the form of grant payments, which are designed to assist with the cost of attending training, including course costs, locum relief and travel expenses. Grants are calculated based on the number of training days.

 It provides support for two components:

  • Procedural GPs practising in surgery, anaesthetics and or obstetrics.
  • GPs practising emergency medicine.

GPs providing these services must be participating regularly on call at a rural and remote hospital.

For more information, email rural.procedural.grants@racgp.org.au or call 1800 636 764.

Get involved with RACGP Rural

If you have ever wondered what you can do to help improve rural and remote health, RACGP Rural members, like you, have a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills that can be harnessed to build a better future.

RACGP Rural is seeking expressions of interest from members who would like to get involved with this Faculty and further develop their skills in:
  • mentoring or teaching
  • promoting the benefits of rural general practice
  • providing expertise on committees.
In return, you will have the opportunity to build on your existing skills, develop new skills, broaden your professional networks, add achievements to your resumé and make a tangible difference to rural and remote health.

If you are interested in getting involved, please email your interests and areas of expertise to rural@racgp.org.au by Friday 30 August 2019.
 

National news


GP19 – Rural highlights

At GP19, you will have access to an array of program content specifically relevant to rural general practice, including active learning modules (ALMs), clinical sessions, the National Faculties Evening and the RACGP Rural Member Meeting.

GP19 will deliver program content highly relevant to rural general practice, including:

  • Rural mental health: The consult room and beyond
  • ​Harnessing the power of technology to advance rural general practice
  • Rural hospital clinical simulation
  • Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs
  • RCAGP Rural Member Meeting with special guest speaker, Prof Paul Worley, National Rural Health Commissioner.

Find out more on the GP19 website or register now to secure your place.

Don't forget to enhance your learning experience at GP19 by attending one of the RACGP Rural ALMs taking place on the pre-conference ALM day. 
 

Rural Hospital clinical simulation

Enhance your rural emergency medicine skills through seven hands-on simulated scenarios that reflect the challenges of living and working in rural and remote communities. All scenarios are written by experienced GPs from actual cases. This ALM is accredited for 40 Category 1 QI&CPD points and is pre-approved for a one-day Rural Procedural Grant in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia or Obstetric components. 

Register now.
 

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound 

Increase your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process and get an introduction to basic techniques using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment by rotating through five ultrasound skills workstations. This ALM is accredited for 40 Category 1 QI&CPD points and pre-approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program. 

Register now
 

View the GP19 ALM program here or register now for GP19.


External news


Mentor a medical student on the John Flynn Placement Program^

Share your passion for rural practice with the next generation of medical practitioners. In the John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP), medical students are matched with a doctor in a rural location and undertake a placement with that doctor for two weeks per year for three to four years. The JFPP encourages medical students to take up rural practice in the future.

Mentors receive an honorarium for their participation in the JFPP.

If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, visit the JFPP website.

For further information, email the JFPP team on jfpp@healthworforce.com.au or call 1800 231 231.
 

^Paid contribution.
*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

Steady growth in specialist telehealth appointments across Australia

There has been strong growth in telehealth consultations across the country, with the number of clinics using the Access Telehealth service tripling in the last six months alone.

Medicare provide incentives for eligible patients (outside of major cities) who have their consultations via video call.  These incentives allow Access Telehealth to provide their specialist service completely free to general practice clinics, and with no out-of-pocket expense to the patients. Clinics who facilitate the consultations can also claim from Medicare for their involvement in the process.

Telehealth has been incentivised by Medicare for over eight years, but managing the process and gaining access to specialists has proven challenging for rural doctors. Access Telehealth has built software to:

  • allow clinics to log in and book in their patients for telehealth appointments
  • upload referrals and notes
  • host the video-consultation, and 
  • view the specialist’s advice once lodged. 

It is a wonderful result for patients and their doctors and is helping to improve health outcomes for rural Australians.

 

A real telehealth case study

Recently, a patient in Central Queensland was referred to see an edocrinologist. She was in an area where visiting specialists are rare and her GP wanted advice on her condition and medications. She was told to travel to Brisbane (around 4.5 hours away) and wait six months to see someone. The GP contacted Access Telehealth and was able to book the patient in to see a specialist via video. The appointment was booked and within three weeks, the patient had seen a specialist and the GP received written advice to adjust her medications.

Patients should not need to travel such long distances for consultations that do not require an examination. It makes sense to use the technology available to get the patient on the journey to better health as quickly as possible.

Access Telehealth is a private business founded by medical professionals. It provides free access to bulk-billing specialists via video-conference. They have a wonderful team of operations and technical support to ensure an efficient telehealth service for rural general practice clinics. Set up is simple and you can be referring patients the same day.

For more information, visit the Access Telehealth website.

Alternatively email register@accesstelehealth.com.au or call 1300 886 077.

 

*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

Free opioid treatment training courses for health professionals in NSW^

Are you interested in learning about opioid agonist treatment (OAT)? Would you like to learn more about managing opioid dependent patients in NSW?

The University of Sydney provides free courses that align with the NSW Clinical Guidelines that support the safe prescribing of pharmacotherapies for opioid dependence.

Courses include:

  • Fundamentals training in opioid treatment (online).
  • Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) (upcoming face-to-face courses are available in Wagga Wagga, Orange, and Sydney).
  • Driving safety: Sedating medication and OAT (online).

Courses are accredited for three Category 2 QI&CPD points.

For more information, visit the OTAC website or contact otac.info@sydney.edu.au

 

^Paid contribution.
*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

Fit to drive? Resources to support patient conversations

Recent Coronial reports on medical condition-related road deaths highlight the importance of the VicRoads Medical Review process and the role of health professionals.

Drivers rely on health professionals’ advice about:

  • how medical conditions, disabilities and treatments might affect driving
  • drivers’ legal obligations to report to the licensing authority
  • ​options, such as conditional licences (enabling driving in conditions that suit their capacities) and periodic medical review. Patient resources to support these conversations are available.

An online medical report (coming soon) will provide a convenient alternative to paper-based versions.

Visit the VicRoads website and type in the search box 'Health Professionals'.


*Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement.

The RACGP does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from reliance on, or the use of, any information contained in this newsletter.

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