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In Practice: Feedback requested for long COVID inquiry


Matt Woodley


29/09/2022 3:57:34 PM

Members can participate in a survey to help inform the college’s submission to the recently announced long COVID inquiry.

Woman with long COVID
The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has opened an inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.

This week’s round-up also includes information on new temporary pathology items for respiratory pathogens, tips on veterans’ compensation claims, and educational opportunities related to genomics, STIs and dementia.
 
Inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections
The RACGP is preparing a submission to the recently announced Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections (see Terms of Reference).
 
Members are invited to complete an online survey to provide their experiences and feedback on:

  • supporting patients with long COVID
  • the broad patient experience of long COVID
  • potential barriers to long COVID management
  • current and future funding arrangements
  • potential impacts on the Australian healthcare system
  • research priorities in this space.
Providing your name is optional and no identifying information will be published in the final submission. Those wishing to take part are not required to answer all questions.
 
The survey will close at 9.00 am (AEDT) on Monday 10 October.
 
Temporary pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens
From 1 October, 10 new temporary MBS pathology items will be introduced for pathology laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens.
 
The new items:
  • apply where a medical or nurse practitioner determines the test is necessary for the clinical management of their patient
  • supersede items 69479 and 69480, which cease on 30 September
  • will cease on 31 December, with future arrangements to be informed by ongoing community transmission of COVID-19 and the advice of public health officials and the pathology sector.
In line with MBS items 69479 and 69480 and other MBS pathology services, rebates may only be claimed for the new items where a medical or nurse practitioner determines the test is necessary for the clinical management of their patient and provides a valid request.
 
It should be explicitly stated in the request that the practitioner considers the test to be necessary, including where testing for COVID-19 is requested alongside testing for other respiratory pathogens.
 
Integrating genomics into general practice
Webinar: Tuesday 11 October, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
 
Session 3 – Reproductive carrier screening: What you should know?
 
Genetic counselling is an important aspect of Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS). Many professional societies now recommend that all women, regardless of age, be offered screening and diagnostic testing for aneuploidy during pregnancy.
 
NIPS is the most sensitive and specific screening option for common foetal aneuploidies. It analyses the cell-free DNA in a pregnant woman’s blood for chromosomal variations in pregnancy.
 
Presented by clinical geneticist Professor Edwin Kirk and hosted by GP Dr Nicole Hall.
 
Register online.
 
Department of Veteran Affairs – New Compensation Quick Tips
A new article in DVA Provider News aims to make it easier for health providers to understand what DVA need from them to ensure veterans are appropriately compensated for injuries or illnesses resulting from their service in the defence forces. 
 
It has also produced printable Compensation Quick Tips to aid practitioners working in this space.
 
Burning questions: What GPs need to know about STIs
In-person event: Saturday 22 October, 8.30 am – 4.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Sofitel, Melbourne
Members price: $325
Non-members price: $375
 
This RACGP CPD-accredited educational activity is a one-day practical workshop to address GPs’ questions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
 
Presented by RACGP Specific Interests Sexual Health Medicine and sexual health experts, the interactive sessions will be presented by experts in STIs and cover sexual history taking, the use of guidelines, appropriate communication with patients, sequelae of STIs (pelvic inflammatory disease and epididymitis), and partner notification and partner delivered therapy.
 
The day will also cover:
  • mycoplasma genitalium
  • vaginal discharge, including recurrent candida, bacterial vaginosis
  • identifying the stages of syphilis.
This activity will attract 40 RACGP CPD points in the 2020–22 triennium.
 
Register online.
 
Webinar: Demystifying dementia
Wednesday 5 October, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
Eligible for 2 CPD points
 
Presented by RACGP Specific Interests and Dementia Training Australia, this three-part series aims to help GPs in their knowledge, skills, and confidence in diagnosing and managing dementia in general practice.
 
The third webinar in the series will provide a stepwise approach to initiating the post-diagnostic care of dementia in general practice. It will also discuss the dementia trajectory and provide post-diagnostic care strategies for different stages of the disease, as well as resources, such as GP management plans and their use.
 
Register via the RACGP website.
 
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dementia genomics health Long COVID MBS STIs veterans’


newsGP weekly poll Are you concerned about the apparent direction of the Government’s Scope of Practice review?
 
85%
 
5%
 
8%
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newsGP weekly poll Are you concerned about the apparent direction of the Government’s Scope of Practice review?

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