Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for General Practitioners

The Division aims to support GPs, GP Registrars, and Medical Students in their current and future roles as primary care health professionals. This is carried out through the delivery and facilitation of local CPD opportunities, applying for CPD point processing, supporting active learning and small group activities, and providing information on education and funding opportunities for professional development. Consistent with the RACGP's QI&CPD program, the Division CPD program endeavours to cross the domains of general practice, including:

• Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship;
• Applied professional knowledge and skills;
• Population health and the context of general practice;
• Professional and ethical role; and,
• Organisational and legal dimensions.

A GP Education Advisory Committee comprised of Central West GPs and external education stakeholders provides input into the program. All GPs from across the region are also encouraged to provide input on program topics, delivery methods and presenters/facilitators. Please email or call the Division's Education Officer.   

Current Division Activities

Education Events

The Division hosts education sessions for GPs, which are usually rotated between the major towns of Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Parkes and Forbes. For a list of upcoming events across the region, go to the Events Calendar.

Web/Teleconference Program

The GP web/teleconference program is currently on hold. Check back in early 2012 for an updated program.

Annual Workshop - GP Muster

The Annual GP Muster is an opportunity for GPs from across the Central West to attend a full-day local GP workshop in a central location. The workshop is a great chance for GPs to up-skill in areas of interest, meet up with GP colleagues from around the region, and connect with other service providers. The GP Muster usually takes place in October in Orange; keep an eye on the Events Calendar for details of this year's workshop.

Active Learning Activities

The Division is able to support GPs in the development and facilitation of active learning activities, as per the ACRRM and/or RACGP program requirements. These activities could include, but are not limited to active learning modules, clinical audits, small group learning, rapid 'Plan Do Study Act' (PDSA) cycles, and evidence based medicine journal clubs. To discuss active learning options, contact the Division's Education Officer. 

The 2011-2013 CPD Triennium

GPs wishing to obtain or retain Vocational Recognition need to participate in ACRRM or RACGP professional development programs. 

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

Participants in the ACRRM Professional Development Program (PDP) can undertake all professional development and quality assurance activities through ACRRM for vocational registation and maintenance of professional standards. Participants must accumulate a minimum of 100 points each triennium within the following categories:

• Advance Life Support (10 points); 
• Planned Reflective Professional Development (PRPD) (30 points); and, 
• Core/Other Continuing Professional Development (60 points). 

   

For more information on the guidelines, go to the ACRRM PDP website.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

The RACGP Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development Program (QI&CPD Program) triennium requires GP members to attain a minimum of 130 points within a three-year period. This must include two Category 1 activities and the completion of a basic CPR course. Category 1 activities are allocated significantly higher points, but involve more active participation and include many of the Active Learning Activties (listed above). Category 2 activities are capped at a maximum of 30 points and include lectures, presentations, and shorter workshops. Self-recorded activities are capped at 20 points for the triennium. For more information on the triennium, go to the RACGP QI&CPD website. 

Training Support

Rural Procedural Grants Program

This program supports procedural and emergency GPs in rural and remote areas to attend relevant training. The program is administered by RACGP and ACRRM on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing. It provides support for:

1. Procedural GPs practicing in surgery, anaesthetics, and/or obstetrics in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA)1*-5 localities; and,
2. GPs practicing emergency medicine in ASGC-RA 2-5 localities.
   

Grants of $2,000 per day for a maximum of 10 days (procedural) or 3 days (emergency) per financial year are available. GPs need to register with either ACRRM or RACGP to receive the grants.  For further information and/or to download the information package and registration application, go to the Department of Health Ageing. To determine your location's eligibility, review the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA).

Rural Doctors Network (RDN) CPD Voucher

The RDN provides CPD vouchers to GPs commencing practice in eligible towns. Applications must be made within six months from the commencement of practice. There are two types of vouchers:

1. Doctors starting practice in RA2 Priority Towns, or RA3-RA5 towns. This voucher entitles full registration for GPs, partner/spouse and family to attend an RDN conference, plus $500 towards travel and accommodation costs.

2. Doctors starting practice in RA2 Non-priority Towns. This voucher entitles full registration for GPs, partner/spouse and family to attend an RDN conference. There is no additional payment towards travel and accommodation.

For more information, go to RDN - CPD Vouchers.  

Useful Links

Colleges

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) - Professional Development Program (PDP)

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - Quality Improvement & Continuing Professional Development Program (QI&CPD)

Training Support

Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP)

Rural Doctors Network (RDN) Grants

Other Education Providers/Programs

Emergency Life Support Course 

Rural Doctors Network

Rural Health Education Foundation

Salient Training in Emergency Medicine International (STEMI)

UNE Partnerships

Online Learning

gplearning (RACGP)

RRMEO (ACRRM)

ThinkGP