Bush Alert May 2019


Chair report


Message from the Chair – Assoc Prof Ayman Shenouda

2019 Federal Election

The 2019 Federal Election is just around the corner and the RACGP is calling for a genuine commitment to the health of all Australians through investment in high-quality and accessible general practice services, so patients can see their GP when they need to, not when they can afford to.

General practice is Australia’s most accessed form of healthcare, with nearly 90% of all Australians visiting their GP each year. Despite this, funding for general practice represents only 7.4% of total government health expenditure, including federal, state and local government expenditure.

You can help spread the call to make the health of all Australian’s the priority this election. The RACGP has developed a range of resources to help you do this and questions you can ask your local candidates.


The National Rural Generalist Pathway

RACGP has been working with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Paul Worley, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and other members of the Rural Generalist Taskforce on the development of the National Rural Generalist Pathway.

Last March, the Australian Government announced a $62.2 million 2019–20 Budget investment over four years to fast track the National Rural Generalist Pathway program. Federal Shadow Health Minister, Catherine King MP, committed to honour the funding should Labor be elected to government in the Federal Election.

This is a vital first step towards tackling the shortage of doctors in the bush. I attended the third Rural Health Roundtable on 28 March (pictured: myself with Senator Bridget McKenzie, Prof Paul Worley and The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's [ACCRM] Marita Cowie) and look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the sector and the elected government to implement the program as quickly and efficiently as possible.


A Rural Generalist Fellowship

The RACGP will launch its own component of the national plan, a Rural Generalist Fellowship, from next year, following consultation with our rural members and GP training organisations.

The Fellowship will be well supported and flexible, allowing junior doctors to enter and exit the training at different stages of their careers. It will be accessible to current GPs who want to acquire new skills or have their existing skills recognised by the RACGP, and to allow practising GPs better address the changing needs of their communities.


RACGP Rural Awards

Nominations are open for our 2019 Rural Awards which recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to rural general practice.

This year, a brand new award will be launched for the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) Community Project of the Year. This award will be presented to an individual that has completed an innovative project as part of their fellowship within the last 12 months that directly contributed to healthcare improvement in a rural or remote general practice and positively impacted the town’s community.

Nominations are open across all states and territories. Download a nomination form to help promote the important contribution made by rural and remote GPs.


Calendar of events


Events calendar

Extending prenatal carrier screening Wednesday 15 May 2019 Online webinar
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Wednesday 5 June 2019 RDAQ pre-conference ALM, Cairns
Men's health update Saturday 8 June 2019 Middle Swan
Focussed Psychological Skills Training Friday 14 June 2019 Online via gplearning
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Saturday 29 June 2019 Hobart
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Saturday 27 July 2019 Tamworth
Focussed Psychological Skills Training Wednesday 28 August 2019 Online via gplearning
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Wednesday 23 October 2019 GP19 ALM, Adelaide
Rural hospital clinical simulation Wednesday 23 October 2019 GP19 ALM, Adelaide

Events in the spotlight


Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for GPs workshop – Cairns

Wednesday 5 June 2019

In collaboration with RACGP Queensland and the Rural Doctor’s Association of Queensland, RACGP Rural is offering GPs the chance to gain practical experience in ultrasound at a full-day workshop.

Following an introduction by a GP ultrasound expert, participants will rotate through five skills workstations to learn basic ultrasound techniques in the areas of obstetrics, musculoskeletal medicine, deep vein thrombosis, intravenous therapy and extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST).

Obtain hands-on experience using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor, Sonosite, across a number of diverse diagnostic applications.

More information and registration.

Rural hospital clinical simulation – Adelaide

GP19 pre-conference ALM

Wednesday 23 October 2019

The 'Rural hospital clinical simulation' aims to enhance patient safety and GP self-care by providing GPs with the opportunity to engage in a structured six-hour active learning module (ALM) to discuss and simulate scenarios reflecting the many challenges rural GPs face when living and working in rural and remote communities.

There will be an emphasis on emergency medicine situations, doctor self-care, coordinating and communicating with other healthcare professionals, stress management and debriefing. All the scenario cases to be included in the ALM have been written by experienced rural GPs from actual cases.

Learning outcomes

  • Lead a team (medical, nursing and allied health) in response to rural emergency situations using available resources
  • Participate as a member of the medical team responding to rural emergency medicine situations
  • Recognise the multiple factors that influence a patient’s decision to seek healthcare and comply with medical advice in rural and remote communities
  • Critique and reflect on actions and responses to emergency situations. Also participate in and lead a debriefing and feedback session
  • Share self-care practices and stress management techniques suitable for medical and other health professionals, particularly for those in rural areas

Register for this ALM workshop.


RACGP Rural news


RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship

The RACGP is set to offer a Rural Generalist Fellowship from next year. The new program is part of a national push to ensure rural and remote Australia has enough highly trained GPs, and was decided on following consultation with rural members and GP training organisations.

This well supported and flexible Fellowship allows junior doctors enter and exit training at different stages of their careers. It will be accessible to current GPs who want to acquire new skills or have their existing skills recognised by the RACGP, to allow practising GPs to be able to better address the changing needs of their communities.

Often rural GPs are the only medical practitioners available to support their rural or remote community, so they must be thoroughly trained in the full scope of medicine that patients will require, such as emergency medicine, mental health, obstetrics, palliative care or paediatrics. 

Transition processes will be developed for experienced GPs and those who already hold a Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP), or experienced rural GPs who hold Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP).

The RACGP has been working with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Paul Worley, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and other members of the Rural Generalist Taskforce on the development of the National Rural Generalist Pathway, which is now in its implementation phase with strategies to retain doctors working in the bush. 
 
The RACGP will continue to work in collaboration with ACRRM, other specialist medical colleges and GP training organisations to ensure future rural doctors are well supported and adequately skilled to address the health needs of Australia’s rural and remote communities.

For all enquiries relating to the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship, please email rural@racgp.org.au

RACGP Rural Awards now open

The RACGP Rural Awards recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to rural general practice.

In 2019, a brand new award will be presented for the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP): Community Project of the Year.

Nominations close on Monday 17 June 2019. The awards include:

  • Brian Williams Award
  • Medical Student Bursary Award
  • Rural Registrar of the Year Award
  • Community Project of the Year Award.

Awards are open nationally across all states and territories. The winners will be announced at GP19, the RACGP conference to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in October.

Find out more.

For all enquiries relating to the RACGP Rural awards, please call 1800 636 764 or email rural@racgp.org.au

Diploma of Rural General Practice Anaesthesia

RACGP Rural is working with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and ACRRM in developing a Diploma of Rural General Practice Anaesthesia* (DRGPA). 

Currently the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia (JCCA) provides the oversight, training post and supervision approvals, curriculum and completion of training documents for general practitioners (GPs) wishing to acquire GP anaesthesia skills. Over the last few years, the JCCA has overseen significant changes to training and CPD requirements for GP anaesthetists (GPAs). However, an ongoing lack of recognition of GPAs’ skills and contributions to rural and remote communities has overshadowed some of these efforts.

The DRGPA would overcome several issues, particularly:

  • consistency of anaesthetic training
  • access to established educational resources to supplement the clinical based training program
  • standardised examination process
  • the linking of ongoing CPD to the currency of the qualification.

RACGP Rural will continue to keep you updated on the development of the diploma. If you have any questions or comments about the DRGPA, please email rural@racgp.org.au

*The name of the qualification is yet to be determined.

Access a rural procedural grant

The Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) assists eligible GPs with costs associated with attending upskilling and skills maintenance activities.

Financial support is offered as a grant of $2000 per day for up to 10 days of training per financial year for procedural GPs and for up to three days training per financial year for GPs providing hospital based emergency services in rural communities.

What do you need to do? 

  1. Check that you meet the RPGP eligibility criteria.
  2. Enrol in the program. 
  3. Contact the RACGP Rural team if you have any questions.


If you are a GP or registrar credentialed to work unsupervised in emergency medicine, anaesthetics, obstetrics or surgery, you could be eligible. 

More information can be found in the RPGP guidelines and application form. Altenatively, email the RPGP team at rural.procedural.grants@racgp.org.au or call 1800 636 764.

Conditions and eligibility criteria apply.

The RPGP is a Commonwealth Department of Health funded initiative. 

Online mental health training for GPs

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 third intake is open now for training commencement on Friday 14 June 2019.

Register for the June 2019 intake now.


National news


The Health of the Nation 2019 survey is now open

The findings from the Health of the Nation survey will be used to inform the General Practice: Health of the Nation report, which provides a unique overview of Australian general practice using a range of available datasets. The 2019 report, which will be released to members and officially launched at Parliament House in September, will have a particular focus on GP self-care.
 
The insights gained by RACGP Fellows completing the survey help to inform the RACGP's advocacy efforts. It is only with regular and up-to-date insights from our members that the RACGP can effectively represent our members and their patients’ interests with Government and decision makers.
 
All RACGP Fellows will have received an email invitation with a unique survey link. The survey closes on Wednesday 15 May 2019 – please take this opportunity to  have your say.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact healthreform@racgp.org.au


External news


*New Service for Rural Mental Health

Counselling via Video is dedicated to connecting rural people with experienced psychologists. Medicare rebates are available for rural Telehealth and patients can now easily access sessions with registered psychologists from across Australia on the Counselling.Video website.

Why refer patients to this unique service?

  1. Dedicated solely to people in rural Australia.
  2. All psychologists are experienced and carefully selected.
  3. Patients are allocated to a psychologist based on their specific issue.
  4. Ongoing feedback and evaluation assures the highest quality health service.


Counselling via Video collaborates with doctors to respond effectively to patient needs.

See the message to doctors on the Counselling.Video website

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*Survey of national attitudes and knowledge in envenomation (The SNAKE study)

While there has been much research into the use of antivenom in the management of snakebite and the pathophysiology of envenomation there has been no study that looks at how this knowledge has been translated into clinical practice.

The SNAKE Study aims to add to our understanding by asking doctors directly involved in patient care about envenomation management and where, when, and how advice is sought.

Find out more.

Assoc Prof Vasilios Nimorakiotakis (Bill Nimo)

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*More choice for your rural and remote palliative care patients

As a part of holistic care, GPs can achieve effective symptom management for community-based palliative patients through anticipatory prescribing for end-of-life symptoms and by involving carers in symptom management.

Free resources applicable across Australia to support GPs:

  • Guidelines for the handling of medicines in the community. Developed by NPS MedicineWise
  • A consensus-based list of medicines suitable for managing terminal symptoms. Developed by Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM)
  • palliMEDS app. Based on the ANZSPM list and developed by NPS MedicineWise
  • Resources GPs and nurses can use to help carers with managing breakthrough symptoms safely using subcutaneous medicines.

Visit the Caring at home project website.

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*Australian Doctors International volunteer placements

Australian Doctors International (ADI) is a not-for-profit, non-government development aid organisation with no religious or political affiliations. Its vision is to work for a healthier Papua New Guinea PNG) by providing healthcare to rural and remote areas of PNG through its development programs.

ADI is committed to delivering and strengthening primary health services to rural and remote communities in PNG. The key is the focus on reducing preventable diseases through public health programs, health education and health promotion. ADI also works to increase the capacity of health workers to manage and deliver primary health services through training and education.

 

Dr Matt Kelly is a dedicated and highly motivated young GP whose areas of special interest include remote and Aboriginal Health, emergency medicine, paediatrics, skin cancer medicine and sexual health.

'I did my intern placement at Royal Darwin Hospital. From there, I went on to work in regional health services in the Kimberly, focusing on Aboriginal health.'

Dr Kelly joined ADI as a volunteer doctor in Western Province of PNG for six months in 2018.

'Working with ADI was an incredible experience that I will never forget,' Dr Kelly recalls. 'We took part in Outreach Health patrols in remote communities and offered mobile, on the spot triage, testing and treatment to children and families who might never have seen a doctor before.

'One experience that has stayed with me was running a clinic in a village called Mougulu. Mougulu is a remote village, very difficult to access – no roads and only a limited flight schedule. While there, we vaccinated 600 children to help protect them against the current outbreak of polio in PNG. It is an amazing feeling to be working on the frontline of health like this with Australia’s nearest neighbour.

'If you are a rural doctor and you want to do something different with real impact, I urge you to consider volunteering for a three or six-month placement in PNG with Australian Doctors International.'

For more information, please call ADI on 02 9907 8988 or visit the ADI website.

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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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