April 2019


Chair report


Message from the Chair – Dr Cameron Loy

2019 Federal Election

We are in the middle of a federal election campaign, which provides all of us an opportunity to make our story known. Recognising that we are all busy and our time is limited and precious, if there is a candidate down at your local shops, or if you can find the time to meet them, this is the time to make sure they know our concerns. Australian general practice is efficient and effective – it is time to invest in it.

RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon suggests, ‘Talk to [the candidates] about the importance of general practice to your patients’. The RACGP has developed a range of resources to help you do this and questions you can ask – you will need to log in.

Education

RACGP Victoria continues to present events for members. In May, we will hold a face-to-face workshop on anxiety disorders, as well as a webinar on palliative care, the first in a series of webinars hosted by the New Fellows Committee. Visit the events page for a full list.  

Fellowship exams

At the end of May, we will once again hold one of the largest medical college exams. In Victoria, we will have three Melbourne centres and one in Geelong. I wish all candidates (and examiners) well. 

RACGP Awards

I encourage you to consider nominating one of your peers in the annual RACGP Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate the important achievements of RACGP members each year. More details are in this newsletter below. You can also visit the RACGP website for more information. 

Emergency response in general practice

The RACGP Emergency Response Planning Tool is an excellent resource for planning emergency response in your practice. The Department of Health and Human Services is opening up subsidised access to this high-quality resource with access managed through your PHNs. Victoria is also at the start of a Royal Commission into mental health. We will be talking to members about their issues to inform our responses. 

SafeScript

SafeScript has launched across the State. It is the best public health initiative I have seen in a long time. Please register and use it. The more information we have about the medications that are being prescribed, the better our prescriptions will be.

I hope you are having a great month.


Calendar of events



Events in the spotlight


Dealing with anxiety disorders

Saturday 18 May 2019

This highly interactive workshop will further increase your confidence and competence in the effective use of Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS). It aims to provide you with a comprehensive theoretical understanding of anxiety disorders together with an extensive range of skills and strategies to better manage anxiety in their practices.

Clinical scenarios form the basis of learning as participants explore how anxiety disorders arise, how they are maintained and the role that GPs can play in addressing these effectively.

Topics covered

Topic 1: Understanding anxiety
Topic 2: Assessing anxiety
Topic 3: Behavioural strategies
Topic 4: The anxious mind
Topic 5: Pharmacological treatments
Topic 6: Putting it all together

This workshop is accredited for 40 Category 1 QI&CPD points for the 2017–19 triennium.

Register now.


Newsletters news


Event review: Planning for the unplanned

The RACGP Victoria Women in General Practice Committee recently held the first in the series of education and networking events for 2019. Held at RACGP House in East Melbourne, the workshop discussed the topics of unplanned pregnancy in a general practice consultation.  

Dr Catherine Orr spoke about models of care for provision of medical termination of pregnancy (mTOP) into general practice and Dr Magdalena Simonis addressed the issues on unplanned pregnancy, including the differing laws within Australia.

Two further networking and educational events are scheduled:

  • Hands on – special skills event – Saturday 15 June 2019
  • Love you heart – Saturday 24 August 2019

For more information and to register for these events, visit RACGP Victoria Events page

Left to right: Dr Niamh Logue, Dr Karen Price, Dr Magdalena Simonis, Dr Catherine Orr, Dr Marina Malcolm

RACGP Victoria thanks the Women in General Practice Committee.

We would also like to express our thanks to Bayer Australia and Marie Stopes for their support.

logo: Marie Stopes Australia   logo: Bayer

National news


RACGP Awards nominations now open



Recognising excellence in general practice

Nominate your peers for an RACGP award for their exceptional work in general practice. The RACGP Awards celebrate the important contribution GPs make to the health of patients and communities across Australia.

Nominations are now open for all state-based and honorary awards.

To help you engage with your community, the RACGP has developed support materials, including social media images, an email signature banner and a poster to promote nominations for your GPs and practice.

For more information, visit the RACGP Awards webpage.


External news


*Cancer Council Victoria's Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program 2019

Applications are now open for Cancer Council Victoria’s Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program 2019.

This program is to give Victorian general practices the opportunity to apply for a chance to receive one fully subsidised Heine Delta 20T dermatoscope and enrolment to the Practical Dermoscopy course offered by the Australasian College of Dermatologists. 

GPs in rural and regional areas are strongly encouraged to apply. Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) points are available.

To apply and to find out more, visit the SunSmart website. Information is also available by emailing dermoscopy@cancervic.org.au or calling 03 9514 6417.

Applications close at 5.00 pm, Tuesday 30 April 2019.

*Harmony study

Does your practice have a high concentration of migrants from South Asia? Do you suspect them of experiencing domestic violence, but don’t know how to approach or treat them? You may want to participate in the HARMONY study.

The Latrobe University HARMONY study is a cluster randomised controlled trial that works with general practice services in Melbourne, in particular the north-west and south-east suburbs with high concentrations of South Asian migrants.

The HARMONY study works with general practices – rather than individual GPs – and is aimed at improving GP identification and/or referral of women affected by family violence, in particular, for South Asian women. 

Intervention practices are provided a unique model of free training and direct referral to a specialist bilingual domestic violence caseworker (from InTouch). Each practice is offered $500 as reimbursement for participation.

The HARMONY study is led by Prof Angela Taft and coordinated by Dr Ann Wilson.

For more information or queries, contact Dr Ann Wilson, Study Coordinator via email Ann.Wilson@latrobe.edu.au or call 03 9479 3955. 

Alternatively, visit the HARMONY study website

*More choice for your 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 that GPs and nurses can use to train carers to help with managing breakthrough symptoms safely using subcutaneous medicines.

For more information, visit www.caringathomeproject.com.au

 

*Inclusion does not imply RACP endorsement.


Visit recruitGP – the RACGP’s trusted, single source for general practice employment opportunities across urban, remote and rural Australia.

It’s free for RACGP members.

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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