News
In Practice: Claims for mental health care training
GPs who complete Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training may be eligible to claim MBS item numbers as well as a $600 subsidy.
GPs who complete an accredited FPS ST activity can use cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal therapy when providing mental health care to patients.
This week’s In Practice also asks for feedback from members using real-time prescription monitoring in the NT, Tasmania and the ACT, and a reminder to cast votes for the next RACGP President.
Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training
Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) refers to specific mental health care treatments based on evidence-based psychological therapies. Under the Better Access initiative, GPs who are registered FPS providers can use a range of recognised FPS that fall into these two categories:
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- interpersonal therapy
GPs who complete an accredited FPS Skills Training (FPS ST) activity will be able to use the above evidence-based interventions with their patients, providing much needed mental health care.
Additionally, GPs who complete the requirements of FPS ST may be eligible to claim item numbers
2721,
2723,
2725 and
2727, and 283–287 for non-vocationally registered GPs, and may be eligible to claim a $600 FPS subsidy.
GPs interested in completing FPS ST can contact the GPMHSC at
mentalhealth@racgp.org.au for more information.
Callout for members using real-time prescription monitoring
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) is working to better understand how prescribers and dispensers are using real-time prescription monitoring across Australia, working to gain further insights specifically from GPs using these systems in the ACT (Canberra Script), NT (NTScript) and Tasmania (TasScript).
The ADHA is inviting RACGP members who use real-time prescription monitoring to complete a 15-minute, confidential and anonymous survey to inform research being conducted by an independent social research organisation.
This research will identify improvements that could be made to these systems and provide an opportunity to check if there are any clinical safety risks associated with or exacerbated by the system.
The survey is open until Friday 30 August, and members are advised to complete the entire survey in a single sitting, as responses may not be saved to return to later.
Voting open for the 2024 President election
This election is the chance to shape the future of general practice and decide who will represent RACGP members over the next two years. Eligible members have received an email with a unique link to vote before Thursday 22 August, 12.00 pm (AEST). Submit your vote now to have your say on who the next RACGP President is.
To learn more about the candidates, a recording of the Q&A webinar is
available on the RACGP website. Each candidate’s statement, skills and experience they could bring to the role are also
available on the President election webpage.
Mild cognitive impairment and new medications for Alzheimer’s disease
Webinar: Tuesday 20 August, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEST)
RACGP Specific Interests presents the fourth and final webinar in the latest series with Dementia Training Australia. This webinar will discuss the key features of mild cognitive impairment and explore how to identify and discuss referral for medications. It will also take a look at the latest understanding of how blood biomarkers may assist in earlier diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
Register online.
Any missed webinars in this series with Dementia Training Australia are available to
watch on-demand.
WA early-career GP conference
Date: Saturday and Sunday 24–25 August
Broadwater Resort, Busselton, WA
CPD: 5.5 EA and 2.5 RP hours
Transitioning from a GP in training to an independent, Fellowed GP is a major career, and life-changing milestone. Designed by GPs for GPs, this two-day conference offers exciting and relevant topics to help set New Fellows up for the first five years post-Fellowship.
Topics covered:
- The art of consulting (the heartsink patient) – Dr Sean Stevens
- Finances: What New Fellows need to think about – Dr Jonathan Tan
- Beating burnout: Looking after yourself and others – Dr Helen Wilcox
- Efficient general practice – Dr Jags Krishnan
- Crafting sustainable paths in general practice – Dr Mohamed K Almarzooqi
- Managing uncertainty: A rural perspective – Dr Kayla Mizzi
- Sole trader 101 – Rosa Murray
- AI in general practice – Dr Sean Stevens
- The secret life of a practice manager: Behind the scenes of running a practice – Bridgetown Medical
- Conquering CPD
Accommodation discounts available.
Register online.
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