November 2021


Chair report


Message from the Chair - Dr Anita Muñoz

There are some things in life we tend to assume just don’t go together, and our assumptions are right on the money. Like Cadbury’s Vegemite Chocolate, for instance. Socks and sandals.

Then there are other pairings you’d assume would be colossal failures. Opera and soccer? Sounds like a terrible day at the marketing office. But Pavarotti’s rendition of Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ at the 1990 FIFA World Cup created a cult-like association between that piece and sports across the world. It also pushed the aria to number two in the UK charts, and opera was suddenly made mainstream cool.

A perennial assumption in Australia is that general practice and state governments go together about as well as two positively charged magnets. Blame federated funding models and a too-complex health system.

But that’s all changing in Victoria. Discontent about limited, outdated systems had already mounted well before the pandemic struck, but when it did, it brought with it the urgency and context needed to create action.

RACGP Victoria and the Victorian Department of Health have begun to partner in a way that I’ve not seen before. This isn’t just about being invited to meetings to represent GPs and provide advice. This is about moving the collaboration from ‘inform and consult’ to ‘co-design and empower’. It’s a simple idea, but it’s a huge moment. The state government is investing $24 million in GP respiratory clinics to ease strain on GPs and emergency departments alike as we come to terms with COVID in the community. It’s about recognising a single health experience across sectors and piloting a way to make that journey better.

It’s happened because we’ve been listened to. We were listened to because we offered perspective, collaboration and solutions. Get this right, this’ll be but the beginning.


Archive news


Kon's Korner

New Fellows Committee Chair Report

Our vibrant New Fellows Committee has been proactive despite our sixth lockdown! We had to postpone some face-to-face events, but on 8 October, we managed to host our inaugural trivia night (albeit online). We encouraged participation by offering prizes for the winners, which turned out well, so we decided to have another one next month.

We also decided to partner with Medical Indemnity Protection Society to organise a webinar on the 9 November, postponed from last year. We were lucky to have the amazing Dr Owen Bradfield to speak with.

Activty Date
New Fellows comedy night TBC
New Fellows virtual trivia night 2 Friday 3 December 2021
Core skills - Musculoskeletal care Saturday 29 January 2022
Fellowship ceremony February 2022
Fellowship and Awards gala dinner March 2022
New Fellows wellbeing weekend Saturday and Sunday 2 - 3 April 2022

 

Looking forward to 2022. I’m glad Victorian vaccination rates are approaching 90%, and we’ll be able deliver these planned events starting early next year.

Kind regards,
Dr Aadhil Aziz

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Managing your CPD webinars

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Managing your CPD

We will be running one-hour webinars for GPs focusing on navigating the RACGP ‘myCPD’ dashboard.

Sessions will run at times to suit all Australian time-zones with opportunities to ask questions prior to and through a Q&A during the webinar.

These webinars will cover the following topics:

  • Quick log for your everyday CPD activities
  • Submitting self-directed CPD Accredited Activities (formerly Category 1) for 40 CPD points
  • Logging your Basic Life Support
  • Searching for educational activities on ‘Browse’ and gplearning

You can choose to attend one of the following webinars:

  • 23 November 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 PM (AEDT)
  • 25 November 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 PM (AEDT)

   Register here   


Logging your self-directed CPD Accredited Activities (formerly Category 1)

GPs can log their participation in educational activities that are not accredited by the RACGP CPD Program. This 30-minute webinar will show you how to claim for these on the RACGP CPD dashboard.

  • Did you know that you can claim CPD Accredited Activities for teaching medical students, supervising registrars, or examining for the RACGP or the Australian Medical Council (AMC)? You can do this by using the Educator/Supervisor/Examiner CPDAA application form.
  • Have you been involved in practice meetings or evidence-based medicine journal clubs (EBMJC)? You can convert your practice meetings into Peer Group Learning (PGL) or submit a CPDAA application for evidence-based medicine journal club.
  • Have you recently completed a Higher education or Professional certification relevant to general practice? You can submit a Higher education/Professional certification application for each subject or unit you’ve completed for your course.

To learn more, you can choose to attend one of the following webinars:

  • 18 November 2021 10:00 – 10.30 PM (AEDT)
  • 29 November 2021 12:30 – 1:00 PM (AEDT)

   Register here   

Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training

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January intake NOW OPEN

Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training

The RACGP and the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria (RWAV) are offering fully-funded scholarships to Victorian GPs in MMM 3–7 and ACCO in MMM 1–7 locations to complete the RACGP's Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST).

The FPS ST package provides GPs with essential training to enable them to become a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) and provide CBT-derived FPS counselling to patients in their practice.

The training package has GPMHSC accreditation and on completion GPs can gain FPS provider registration with Medicare to access FPS related MBS numbers 2721‌, 2723‌, 2725‌ and 2727‌.

   Expressions of interest    

GPADD22: Vulnerable Populations

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RACGP Victoria’s AOD Committee is proud to bring you GPADD22. The long-running, biennial General Practice and Addiction (GPADD) conference is a great opportunity to learn and network with GPs and other health professionals working in this area.

GPADD22 will focus on treating vulnerable communities. People with addiction or substance-use disorders are by definition often vulnerable.

Early-bird registrations until 30 November 2021: members $250, GPs in training $175, non-members $350

   Program                  Register now   


National news


First 1000 Days Australia: Early life strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

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First 1000 Days Australia (or F1000DA) is a First Nations model focused on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from preconception to 2 years of age. This model of family medicine addresses the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and discusses the Indigenous-led holistic and ecological framework for comprehensive primary health care.

The F1000DA online training course consists of 5 modules and 1 masterclass providing GPs with information needed to:

  • Integrate the First 1000 Days Australia (or F1000DA), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led model into comprehensive primary health care provision
  • Discover the lifelong impacts of early childhood experiences
  • Identify the cultural, ecological and anthropic principles that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early life-interventions
  • Establish cultural security processes in engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
  • Discuss some of the key issues facing GPs, practice teams, services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to early-family formation
  • Take part in developing strategies to implement First 1000 Days Australia initiatives within one’s own practice
  • Assess how F1000DA can support all children from preconception to age 2 within one’s own practice
Course information: myCPD dashboard
or contact info@first1000daysaustralia.com
RACGP contact: aboriginalhealth@racgp.org.au
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Cost: $1,250.00

 

    Register here    

RACGP members confirm mandate to bring general practice training home to the college

Last night’s Annual General Meeting for the RACGP confirmed member support for bringing general practice training back to the college.

Some 91% of voting members supported the ordinary resolution (which required 50% member support). This means the RACGP Board and the profession-led training transition team are able to take the necessary actions to prepare for training to be delivered by the colleges from January 2023. One of the first actions will be completing and submitting a grant opportunity response to the Federal Government this month. If successful, this will be the basis of our direct-funding agreement with government to bring our training model to life.

New patient resources

The RACGP has developed some advocacy resources aimed at patients that highlight rising healthcare costs and the ongoing lack of investment in general practice.

We’ve produced a poster and patient fact sheet you can display in your practice that encourage patients to write to their local MP about these issues. We’ve also created a letter template you can pre-fill and give to patients.

Find out more on the RACGP website (member login required).
If you have any feedback on these or our other billing resources, email healthreform@racgp.org.au

Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology

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Are your dermatology skills only skin deep?

Expand your skills in diagnosing and treating dermatological conditions, as well as recognising conditions that need urgent referral.

The RACGP’s Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology helps GPs and GPs in training increase their expertise and confidence when presented with dermatological cases in their practice.

The certificate consists of 25 online courses, a two-day workshop and a three-day clinical experience. Sign up per course or enrol for the whole certificate, saving $1125.

Proudly supported by Sonic Healthcare

   Register now   

Digital technology in general practices

The use of digital technology in Australian general practices is constantly evolving and has gathered pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a sharp increase in the tools used to support remote patient care.

The RACGP is running a survey to understand the systems used in general practices, where future investment is needed, and the technology challenges faced by GPs and their teams.

From Monday 22 November 2021, we invite you and your team to complete our short (anonymous) survey to provide your insights and opinions.

Contact our Practice Technology and Management team at ehealth@racgp.org.au with any questions.


External news


The Readiness Program

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The Safer Families Centre, University of Melbourne, is launching a suite of elearning modules for anyone working in a primary care setting. The modules are part of The Readiness Program, primary care’s readiness to address domestic and family violence.

You can request access to the modules on the Safer Families website.

Other training options available through The Readiness Program include:

  • Practice-centred training (Pathways to safety)
  • Online workshops (virtual classrooms)
  • RACGP webinar series.

   Get more information   

Smoking behaviour and smoking cessation: The general practitioners' perspective in Australia

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This survey will explore smoking behaviours of general practitioners in Australia, their perceptions on smoking cessation of their patients, and compliance and barriers to using smoking cessation guidelines in general practice settings across Australia.

   Complete the survey   

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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