October 2019


Chair report


Message from our Chair – Dr Cameron Loy

Leadership changes for the RACGP Board

As you may be aware, the RACGP’s 62nd Board met at the recent GP19 conference in Adelaide to elect RACGP Board members following the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Among other changes, Former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner and third-year RACGP Board member, Christine Nixon was elected as the Chair of the 62nd Board. Read the full details about the 62nd RACGP Board.

2019.2 OSCE

As change occurs in the RACGP, there are some things that remain. Our commitment to providing an exam that offers candidates of the RACGP Fellowship (FRACGP) the best opportunity to demonstrate their learning. The 2019.2 OSCE exam is coming up on 10 November. The Victorian exam will run 12 rotations at two hospitals, mustering a huge number of Fellows prepared to take the day assessing the next generation of GPs. Good luck and give it your best, both candidates and examiners.

Standardised referrals criteria

The hospital/GP interaction is an important one in our lives. Victoria has introduced a statewide specialist clinic reform with standardised referral criteria that will be introduced in November 2019. I remain unconvinced that this is the solution to a problem where only a small number of referrals are often easily localised in the various hospital networks. We have been subjected to tick a box referral form in the past that created access delays. I encourage you to be vocal about any concerns that you have. You are welcome to email RACGP Victoria.

The PHNs have been tasked to implement this change and I am sure they would welcome feedback in order to have this change add value to our work.

Continuing professional development

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, so, too, does the end of the current Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) cycle. RACGP Victoria is here to assist you with your CPD activities. Please contact the QI&CPD team if you need any assistance.


Calendar of events


Calendar of events

Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD): Module 2 – Bendigo Saturday 16 November 2019
RACGP Victoria 2019 Fellowship and Awards Ceremony Saturday 23 November 2019
Challenging consultations and how to respond Saturday 30 November 2019
MATOD: Module 2 – Wangaratta Saturday 30 November 2019
MATOD: Module 2 – Warrnambool Saturday 7 December 2019

Events in the spotlight


Challenging consultations and how to respond

Date: Saturday 30 November 2019
Time: 2.00–4.00 pm
Venue: RACGP House, 100 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Cost: Members: $35 I Non-members: $50

Have you ever come away from a challenging consultation and wondered whether you could have handled it differently?

At this workshop, you can watch and listen to your peers respond and navigate through various challenging consultations through role-play.

The cases that will be explored include:
  • the aggressive patient
  • the drug-dependent patient
  • drug-seeking behaviour
  • prescription misuse in an elderly patient.

Each case will be followed up with a facilitated discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and consider the response of the doctor in each situation. You will take away practical strategies for dealing with these challenging consultations and advice on how to facilitate effective communication with patients when SafeScript is being used.

Register now.


External news


General Practitioner Clinical Advisory Service

 From April 2019, Victorian GPs were able to access the General Practitioner Clinical Advisory Service (GPCAS), a peer-to-peer advice service for GPs to help them support patients with prescription medication concerns and complex needs.

Each of the six Primary Health Networks across Victoria has been assigned two GP clinical advisors who have received comprehensive training in the management of pain, anxiety, insomnia and associated addiction issues. 

To access the GPCAS, call 1800 812 804 (DACAS Victoria) and ask to be referred to the service.

For more information, refer to this media release, email gpclinicaladvisors@turningpoint.org.au or visit the DACAS website.

^Paid contribution.

Rural/remote clinicians required for antenatal ultrasound-needs analysis survey

The University of South Australia‘s (UniSA) Healthy Newborn Project is calling for healthcare clinicians (GPs / midwives / nurses / community workers) providing antenatal care (with or without ultrasound) to participate in a survey investigating the use of antenatal ultrasound in rural/remote Australian communities.

A $1000 prize/scholarship random draw is offered. 

The data collected will provide evidence to inform governments of potential solutions to improve maternal and foetal wellbeing. Feedback from frontline healthcare professionals is vital to this process. 

Complete the survey. 

This survey has ethics approval from the UniSA Human Ethics Research Committee and is endorsed by ASUM and ISUOG. This survey is funded by The Hospital Research Foundation.

For more information, please email amber.bidner@unisa.edu.au 


^Paid contribution.

Fit to drive? VicRoads resources support patient conversations

Conversations about fitness to drive can be difficult. A recent RACV study confirms drivers are concerned about licence loss and driving independence; however, in 85% of cases, Medical Review results show continued licensing with periodic review and are restricted to possible licence conditions (eg no night driving). Patients also receive reminders regarding medical assessments, thus supporting effective chronic health management.

The VicRoads website provides information for health professionals, as well as fact sheets, to support patient conversations. 

An online medical report (available soon), will enable direct submission and a convenient alternative to the current paper-based form.

Invitation to join a guideline development group survey

We are calling those interested in participating in a new guideline for stroke prevention for 
the International Union of Angiology. The focus will be on carotid artery disease with implications for all arterial disease prevention. 

The aim is to update the field and overcome procedural biases in existing guidelines.

This project involves systematic reviews of guidelines and studies regarding how to best define and modify arterial disease risk factors (including hypertension, lipids, smoking etc) for primary and secondary 
prevention.

All work is done via email and variable time contributions are accommodated. For further information, please email Assoc Prof Anne Abbott. View more information.

Also, view the FACTCATS.org website.


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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