News
In Practice: Call for GPs to join dementia study
New research aims to gather GPs’ understanding of and attitudes to dementia diagnosis and management, and the use of blood-based biomarkers.
Blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease are expected to greatly support GPs in clinical practice.
This week’s In Practice also includes CPD opportunities for GPs prescribing opioid dependence treatment, child wellbeing, and optimising practice billing strategies.
Seeking GP participation in dementia diagnosis
Reliable blood tests are fast becoming available to streamline diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease in primary care.
The Australian Dementia Network is seeking GPs to participate in a new study, ‘Evaluating the impact of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease on clinician diagnostic confidence and management in a primary care setting: A before and after study’.
The first section of the study, led by GPs with a special interest in dementia, will examine the level of understanding of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, with a webinar on current and emerging diagnostic methods and a survey to document improvement in knowledge.
After completion of this section, free access to a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease and further financial support will be given to assess impact on diagnosis and confidence in GPs’ practices.
In particular, the Australian Dementia Network is seeking those from Newcastle, Adelaide and north-eastern Melbourne. The project offers CPD points, with opportunities for further research. Reimbursement of $330 is available for taking part in the study, but is limited to the first 200 participants who complete the survey, followed by the webinar and second survey.
The first part of the study can be completed via an online survey by 30 November.
GPs prescribing opioid dependence treatment
Webinar: Wednesday 13 November, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 EA hour
RACGP Specific Interests presents a discussion on the important role of GPs in prescribing opioid dependence treatment (ODT). This webinar will explore and demystify ODT and is suitable for all GPs, particularly those who may only do a little or no work in addiction medicine and would like to learn more.
This session will feature patient stories from those with lived experience of opioid dependence, and the positive impact that working with their GP has had on their recovery journey, and their lives. Participants will also hear first-hand experiences from three GPs who are new to prescribing ODT, offering unique insights into their real-world approaches, challenges, successes, and learnings from clinical practice.
Register online.
Nurturing futures: Ensuring child wellbeing and safety
Webinar: Thursday 28 November, 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
Recognising that GPs play a vital role in shaping children’s health and development, RACGP Victoria presents a webinar series as an opportunity to contribute to safeguarding and nurturing the next generation.
The first in the series will arm GPs with essential tools to promote holistic child wellbeing, including:
- key components of child wellbeing, including physical, emotional and social health
- identifying early signs of distress and developmental concerns
- GPs’ role in creating safe, supportive environments
- effective communication strategies with children and families
- introduction to the Child Information Sharing Scheme.
More information and registration is
available online.
Red Book lifecycle chart
The RACGP’s
Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (Red Book) is
recognised as the gold standard evidence-based preventive care guideline in Australian general practice. The Red Book provides GPs and their teams with guidance on opportunistic and proactive preventive care which can be applied in their practice population.
A copy of the Red Book Lifecycle chart has been included in the November 2024 printed issue of
AJGP for GPs to use when checking which preventive care activities should be performed according to patients’ age groups.
New CPD solution: Optimising billing strategies
The RACGP has released a new CPD solution ‘
Optimising your billing strategy’, a package of self-directed education developed for continuous professional development.
Through the activities, members will find new billing solutions and strategies to effectively implement a new billing model to improve the financial and business viability of their practice. From assessment of current billing practices to research, analysis, testing and communication, activities within this CPD solution will provide GPs with practical tools to navigate the transition smoothly.
The package offers GPs and GP practice owners evidence-informed Education Activities, Reviewing Performance and Monitoring Outcomes CPD options.
More information and access to the activities is available on the
RACGP website.
Mpox updates
In a
recent episode of The Good GP podcast, host Dr Karin Sekhon talks to Dr Alex Shivarev, a public health physician from the WA Health Department, to discuss the emerging public health concern of monkeypox, now referred to as mpox. The episode provides insights for GPs on the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical manifestations of the mpox virus, along with the
distinction between the clade Ib and clade IIb strains.
DVA Provider News update
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has published a
new quick guide to help find care for veterans post-discharge. DVA’s new quick guide will make it easier for discharge planners to find the services and programs that DVA offers to assist a veteran’s return home after a hospital stay.
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Alzheimer’s children’s health CPD dementia general practice billing In Practice mpox opioid dependence treatment Red Book
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