News

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In Practice: AssessGP trial to bring the KFP back online

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This week’s round-up also includes information on applications for the Future Leaders program, Focussed Psychological Strategies CPD compliance, new standards for mental health training and much more.
 
Members wanted for new AssessGP trial to bring the KFP back online 
The RACGP is on its journey towards returning to computer-based exam delivery of the AKT and KFP.
    
In April, the college held a member trial to test the AKT on AssessGP, its new online exam platform. This helped improve AssessGP further and AKT exams were successfully delivered via the platform in July. 

The next step is a member trial to test the KFP on AssessGP.
 
The college is hoping more than 1000 members will register to help it work towards the goal of providing Fellowship candidates with a well-tested and seamless online assessment experience, with the feedback set to inform the next stage of development.  
  
The trial will take place on Thursday 20 October, from 7.00 pm (AEDT). Once participants log in, they will have 45 minutes to take the trial exam and test the platform.
   
Find out more about the trial and register for the online event on the RACGP website by Wednesday 12 October.      
 
Drive change. Shape the future
RACGP Future Leaders Program 2023 applications close at 11.59 pm (AEDT) Sunday 9 October.

Designed to help RACGP Fellows grow their confidence as GP leaders and drivers of change in the community, the program prepares both current and future generations of GP leaders by critically evaluating and implementing evidence-based methodologies in leadership.
 
It also connects an ever-broadening network of GP leaders, allowing new and relevant ideas to come to the fore and be put into action. 
 
Many Future Leaders alumni progress into key RACGP roles, work on local, national, and global projects, and propose recommendations for the future of general practice – from peer group mentoring to healthcare reform recommendations. 
 
Places are strictly limited and applications for this six-month course are open to RACGP Fellows with leadership experience. 
 
Visit the RACGP website for more information or to apply, while those with questions can contact leadershipdevelopment@racgp.org.au or watch the recording of the Future Leaders information webinar.
 
Focussed Psychological Strategies CPD compliance
Registered providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) are required to complete an accredited FPS CPD course within each triennium in order to maintain their FPS status and continue to use the relevant FPS item numbers.
 
Providers of FPS who have not completed their CPD requirements this triennium can visit the RACGP MyCPD dashboard to view available courses.
 
Any questions can be directed to the GPMHSC secretariat.
 
New standards for mental health training
The GPMHSC has officially released the Mental health training standards 2023–25: A guide for GPs and the Mental health training standards 2023–25: A guide for training providers.
 
The new streamlined standards include updated learning outcomes and resources, and are aligned with best practice relating to mental health care.
 
A summary of the key changes is available on the GPMHSC website, while questions on the standards can be sent to gpmhsc@racgp.org.au
 
GP22: Tackling the sustainability of primary care
In the Health of the Nation preview webinar last week, RACGP President Adjunct Professor Karen Price referred to Denmark as a powerful example of a country Australia can learn from in regard to health funding priorities.
 
At GP22, the RACGP will welcome Professor Jens Søndergaard from the University of Southern Denmark to further explore this topic in the opening plenary. He will discuss the Danish primary healthcare model, how it is funded and why it works.
 
Find out more and register for this opportunity to hear from a world leader in primary care sustainability.
 
Changes to group therapy MBS items under the Better Access initiative
From 1 November, all Better Access group therapy items will apply to a service where only three patients are present if four patients were originally due to attend, but one is unable to.
 
This change is to encourage the uptake of group therapy by helping practitioners overcome barriers related to group attrition, including due to fluctuating participant motivation and wellness or unforeseen circumstances preventing a participant attending on a given day.
 
It also allows group therapy with fewer than four people, providing the course of group therapy began with at least four in the group.
 
Applications open for 2023 mentoring program
With the community turning to their GP now more than ever, now is an important time for GPs to know they have someone they can turn to for support.  
 
The RACGP Mentoring Program provides early career GPs with an experienced GP mentor to provide professional and personal guidance on how to manage the challenges that may arise in general practice.  
 
The college is seeking experienced GPs who are passionate about their profession and interested in supporting GPs in the early stages of their career, as well as early career GPs who would benefit from the support of a GP mentor. 
 
Applications to join the program are open until 31 October.
 
Child abuse and neglect: Response and management in general practice
Webinar: Tuesday 25 October, 7.00 – 8.30 pm (AEDT)
 
This interactive education activity will provide GPs with necessary competencies in responding to and managing child abuse and neglect.
 
Learning outcomes:

• Discuss the nature, prevalence and impact of child abuse and neglect
• Describe early childhood needs and how these can impact development
• Describe adverse childhood experiences and their impact across the life span
• Describe best practice approach to recognising and responding to child abuse and neglect
• Identify key challenges in responding to child abuse and neglect within the general practice setting

The 1.5-hour webinar is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program (3 points) and will be presented by:
 

• Dr Bianca Forrester, regional GP specialising in adolescent health and systems change facilitation and a senior lecturer at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne
• Dr James Best, Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person’s Health
• Jacqueline Kuruppu, fourth year PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne with a focus on exploring the response to child abuse and neglect in general practice.

Register online.
 
Sexually transmitted infections
Webinar: Wednesday 12 October, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
 
The final Women’s Health Week webinar will feature Dr Lara Roeske and Dr Terri Foran discussing the resurgence of various STIs in Australia, including syphilis, and specific at-risk populations.
 
They will also cover self-collection for cervical screening and provide resources and guidelines on STIs, while there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask the presenters questions.
 
Register online.
 
Gambling harm webinar series
Webinar 1: Monday 17 October, 7.00pm – 8.00pm (AEDT) 
Gambling harm: comorbidities, treatment and referral.
 
Many people with gambling problems are not being identified because their symptoms are masked by other disorders and are often hidden due to stigma and shame. Gambling harm has a direct impact on patient outcomes.
 
The first webinar will focus on how to provide psychoeducation for patients who are experiencing gambling harm, as well as strategies for management and referral resources specific to New South Wales.
 
Register online.
 
Managing change within your practice
Webinar: Thursday 13 October, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
 
This webinar will provide advice on how to manage change within a practice and with patients, such as when a practice decides to increase fees in order to cover costs.
 
A key focus of the session will be managing the transition from bulk billing to mixed billing and how to educate and prepare those that need to ‘buy in’ to successfully achieve change.
 
Register online.
 
Library user guidance videos
To help members get the most out of the library’s online resources, some brief ‘how-to’ videos have been created. 
 
Topics covered by the videos include how to: 
 

• find books
• access journal articles
• use the EBSCOHost full text databases.

Members can also find a suite of the user instruction videos for DynaMed, the library’s evidence-based point-of-care tool. These videos have been tailored to the needs of Australian general practice and include an overview of DynaMed, how to access it via the RACGP website, and how to find an answer to a clinical question.
 
Special offer for RACGP members: 15% off UpToDate
UpToDate is an evidence-based, physician-authored resource for reliable clinical answers.
 
It incorporates the latest medical findings, the best available evidence, and practical recommendations for patient care.
 
From now until the end of the year, RACGP members will receive 15% off an individual subscription to UpToDate.
 
Members looking to subscribe and save can log in to the RACGP member portal to access the promotional code for this offer.
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

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AssessGP CPD Future Leaders GP22 In Practice KFP mentoring

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