The Business of General Practice
The National Medicines Symposium is on in May 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
NMS is a great opportunity for you to hear details on the latest therapeutic interventions and best practice in patient care. You’ll be able to collaborate with and learn from industry peers and leading health practitioners on quality use of medicines. You will also be able to earn continuing professional development points by just attending the Symposium. It would be a fantastic opportunity for you to present if you’re interested. The theme of the Symposium is Medicines in People’s Lives. There will be up to 700 people there, so it’s a good chance to network and take a break from patient care! If you’d like more information there’s a website with all the details, just visit www.nms2010.org.au.Division Reminders
Upcoming Education Dates
| March 13 | GP ALM/Case Study Workshop, Katoomba |
| March 13 | Practice Manager Workshop, Orange |
| March 17 | Practice Nurse Chronic Disease Management – Part 1, Bathurst |
| April 12 | GP Webconference – Maximising Sleep Options |
| April 21 | Practice Nurse Chronic Disease Management – Part 2, Bathurst |
| April 22 | Small Group Medical Director Training, Lithgow |
| April 30 | Healthy Kids Check Training, Orange |
GP Webconference – April 12th
The first Division GP webconference will be offered to Central West GPs on Monday, April 12th. The topic will be Maximising Sleep Options, and presented by Jane Donnelly, Clinical pharmacist, NPS Facilitator and Lecturer, Charles Sturt University. GPs will only need access to the internet and a phone line in order to take part. More details and an invitation will be available soon.Network & Area Health Service News
headspace new volunteer
headspace would like to welcome a new member to the team, Alana Eslick, who has volunteered to provide weekly vocational assistance sessions to young people at the Bathurst headspace centre. Alana is bringing experience in business, and with youth, and will be seeing young people on a one-on-one basis. This will expand the capacity of headspace to assist young people with their social and economic recovery needs by increasing their skills and confidence in order to obtain employment.Reforming the Health System
The national health reform announcements of last week outlines the first part of the Rudd governments plan to reform the health system.The government’s plan is to improve the public hospital system by creating local hospital networks with local boards with funding moving from being largely state based to largely national. While the Commonwealth will take full policy and funding responsibility for GP and primary health care services the governance of these services it not yet clear. The Commonwealth proposes to undertake a stocktake of current community health services in each state and territory to determine what should be transferred to direct commonwealth funding. While some areas are clear cut like community nursing services – others such as outpatient services are more difficult, and we do not anticipate the Commonwealth announcing their primary health care reforms until this is done.
AGPN is continuing with its work to position divisions around Australia to take on a broader primary health care role by developing a model to create 55-66 Primary Health Care organizations through an amalgamation of the 113 divisions.
The Division will monitor the reform process and keep you informed.
Bathurst Community Health Centre in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Provides free health checks to over 50 men at the Bathurst 12 hour race
On Saturday 13 February Bathurst Community Health staff joined with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to offer the men’s health check ‘Pitstop’ program. Over 50 men had a pitstop visit and had their oil pressure (blood pressure), chassis (BMI), ignition (blood sugar levels), spark plugs (testicles), shock absorbers (coping skills/mental health), fuel additives (alcohol) and exhaust (smoking) levels checked.Men from all ages participated with ages ranging from 17 years to over 77 years. 38% of men who came through were aged between 48 and 57, with 21% aged between 38 and 47 and 21% between 58 and 67 years. Over 40% of these men were given a referral letter for follow up with their GP in relation to a health issue identified through the various stations. One man commented to pitstop crew that he had not seen a GP in over 15 years! Other men who came through provided feedback that they had enjoyed the pitstop and the chance to have their health checked and talk about their health related concerns.
Some trends the pitstop crew identified with the men included high BMI scores, a low percentage of men with abnormal blood sugar levels, an estimated 20% of men identified as either being depressed or anxious, or as having experienced depression at some point in their life, often related to times of stress such as marital breakdown. A large proportion of men reported as non smokers and those who did smoke reported that they have reduced the number they smoke each day and are taking steps to further reduce this. Alcohol consumption remains a concern as most reported low risk behaviour in this area; however a large number still participate in binge drinking at least once a week. Information was given to all men identified as ‘at risk’ on local services available and on the health issue identified.
Overall the day was a great success with 7assessments provided to each man who came through the Pistop program, totalling over 350 health checks provided for the day. For further information on the Pitstop program contact Allied Health Manager Orange and Bathurst, Michelle Coore on 6330 5677.
Other Education Opportunities
Medicare Australia’s Online Education Services
Medicare Australia has developed a range of online education services to help doctors with MBS and PBS, including eLearning modules, learning guides, quick reference guides and handbooks and other resources. To access Medicare’s online education services, visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ provider/ business/ education/ index.jsp.Online Learning for Health Professionals – Motivational Interviewing and Chronic Disease Self Management
The Heart Research Centre (Melbourne) has developed modular online learning programs in motivational interviewing and supporting chronic disease self management. These are available to individuals and organisations, and provide training in a flexible, self-paced and cost-effective manner. Online learning will improve access for those with time and distance constraints. A detailed intervention manual can be downloaded, alongside the training, to support your work with clients. To find out more about online learning, please contact Rosemary Higgins on 03 9326 8544 or at rosemary.higgins@heartresearchcentre.orgFree Eating Disorders Workshop
Medical and psychological management for GP registrars, psychiatry registrars and paediatric registrars. GPs wanting to gain skills in eating disorders are also welcome. A workshop will be held March 19th and 20th at Bloomfield Hospital in Orange. Experts in the field including, Prof Phillipa Hay, Dr Sloane Madden, Dr Jan Ormand and Dr Janice Russell, will join local experts for two days of academic lectures and clinical skills workshops. No cost.RSVP rosamunde.hanney@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au. Phone 63607780.