The Rural Faculty has been involved in many activities and submissions this month. As Chair of the Rural Faculty, I am encouraged by the work we are doing to enhance rural member engagement, education, and policy development.

In the training space, I’m delighted to report that RACGP Rural currently boasts 140 registrars enrolled in the RACGP-RG fellowship for this year. Additionally, there are 304 FSP registrars currently training in MM3-7, while we have 1000 post-PEP participants within the candidacy timeframe. These figures reflect our strong engagement and the educational pathways the RACGP provides future GPs and RGs.
 
We’ve also submitted a comprehensive response to the parliamentary inquiry addressing the NDIS participant experience in rural, regional, and remote areas of Australia. The insights gathered from our members have provided valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by GPs in delivering person-centered care to NDIS participants within our communities.
 
Rural Council members have been actively involved in consultation meetings for the Scope of Practice Review, where we have advocated for effective communication and the implementation of a centralised data approach.  As we navigate these vital initiatives, we remain committed to fostering positive change in rural healthcare through informed and strategic advocacy.
 
Your Rural Faculty has a full calendar of events and education planned for 2024, including:

• WA Rural Health Conference and Workforce Summit
• Practice Owners Conference
• Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound for rural GPs workshops
• Online and face-to-face Emergency medicine for rural GPs workshops
• Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training and Focussed Psychological Strategies CPD case-based discussions
• Monthly rural health webinars
• Online and face-to-face member meet-ups

 
International Women’s Day is also around the corner. This year’s theme is ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’, which highlights the importance of pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere. The Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee is hosting a special online event with RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, who will be joined by Endocrinologist and Director of Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation Professor Helena Teede AM for a keynote address.

Prof Teede is passionate about advancing women’s careers to enable them to have influence, and heads the International Women in Leadership training program and the Advancing Women in Healthcare and Health and Medical Research Leadership initiative, funded by the National Health Medical Research Council. Register here to secure your spot.

 
Email RACGP Rural or join the conversation in our Facebook group so we can continue to advocate for you on issues that matter.

A/Prof Michael Clements 

Chair, RACGP Rural  

Deputy Chairs Report

Our Deputy Chairs have also had a busy start to 2024, diving straight into advocacy meetings and working on our engagement strategies with the Rural Faculty team. Meeting highlights have included the Rural Workforce Agency (RWAV) 2024 Conference and the Scope of Practice Review meeting in Melbourne for Dr Rod Omond and the RDAA Political Forum for Dr Vicki Mattiazzo. These meetings have been key moments in engaging with external stakeholders and members while driving the faculty's advocacy efforts.  
 

Boost your skills with the Rural Procedural Grants Program

The Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) is a Department of Health program administered by the RACGP. It provides financial assistance to GPs who provide procedural and/or emergency medicine services in unsupervised settings in rural and remote areas MMM3-7. 
 
This funding enables access to relevant educational activities aimed at maintaining or updating procedural and/or emergency medicine skills.
 
The Department of Health has confirmed that eligibility for online training will continue in 2024.
 
The reinstatement of eligibility for overseas training is currently under consultation. We will notify RPGP participants of the guidelines in early 2024.
 
Please visit our website for more information and details on how to register.

Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee

And just like that, we’re halfway through February! The Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee is  still buzzing with excitement following the success of our session at WONCA towards the end of 2023. With the expert guidance and assistance of Dr Belinda O’Sullivan, we are working together to compile white paper recommendations aimed at breaking down barriers for our female rural medical workforce.
 
We'd love to inject some new ideas and enthusiasm by recruiting new faces to our committee. The DWRM committee is dedicated to elevating, empowering, and encouraging women working in rural practice.  We strive to identify and meet their unique interests, challenges and needs, empowering them to reach their full professional capacity, and in turn, supporting rural communities. Currently, we are seeking a student representative to join our ranks. If you know a medical student with a keen interest in rural medical practice, please let them know about this amazing opportunity.
 
If you’d like to join us, please reach out via rural@racgp.org.au - we’d love to connect with you!


Dr Kaylene Girgenti
Deputy Chair, DWRM Committee

International Womens Day 2024

Our International Women’s Day event is fast approaching, so make sure you secure your spot now!
 
Be inspired, empowered, and uplifted as you join your colleagues and friends for an unmissable online event next Thursday 7 March

This special online gathering will be hosted by Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Chair Dr Christie Rodda, and we’re thrilled to announce that Endocrinologist and Director of Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation Professor Helena Teede AM will be delivering a keynote address.
 
Spread the word and prepare to celebrate the achievements and progress of women everywhere as we advocate for equal opportunities for women to earn, lead, and learn.

Join Emerging Minds and RACGP Specific Interests for a four-part webinar series focused on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

These webinars aim will enhance non-Indigenous practitioners’ skills in culturally safe, trauma-integrated, holistic, and transdisciplinary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Learn more about each webinar and register below:

• Thursday 21 March | Replanting the Birthing Trees: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families during pregnancy and birth

• Thursday 2 May | Replanting the Birthing Trees: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families during the child’s first year

• Thursday 13 June | Our Woven Ways: Uncovering the worries of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents
   

• Thursday 25 July | Our Woven Ways: Supporting goal setting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound & member meet-up – Launceston, TAS

Point-of-care ultrasound is an increasingly affordable and efficient diagnostic tool in general practice, particularly in areas with limited access to specialist services. RACGP Rural is holding ultrasound workshops around Australia for rural GPs.
 
Why attend?
The full-day workshop will enhance your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process. Experts will guide you through the diverse applications of point-of-care ultrasound in primary care services using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor GE Healthcare.
 
The workshop
The workshop will begin with an introduction by a GP with ultrasound expertise, who will explain the benefits of ultrasound and its various applications. For the remainder of the day, participants will rotate through six skills stations.
 
CPD and grants
These workshops are a CPD-accredited activity eligible for 5 hours EA and 5 hours RP and are approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.