In Practice: Have your say at the upcoming members’ forums

This week’s round up includes upcoming RACGP Rural events, the college’s advocacy efforts for the next Federal Election, and a range of member forums.
 
RACGP Rural Member Forum
Webinar: Wednesday 29 September, 7.30–9.30 pm (AEST)
 
The 2021 Rural Member Forum is a free online event for rural and remote members, combining important updates, the annual member meeting, Q&A and networking in breakout rooms with rural GPs, as well as special guest speaker, Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie.
 
GPs have a chance to connect with colleagues from around Australia, find out about the work of RACGP Rural and meet the RACGP Rural Council to learn who represents you.
 
Any questions or suggested topics to cover in this forum are encouraged to be submitted when registering.
 
Register online.
 
‘This Rural Life’ launch
Webinar: Wednesday 6 October, 7.30–8.15 pm (AEDT)
 
Join our President Dr Karen Price, RACGP Rural and RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health for the launch of the ‘This Rural Life’ photo competition.
 
This innovative project puts the spotlight on RACGP members across all career stages working in rural or remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by sharing their incredible stories and experiences to inspire others to consider a career in rural general practice.
 
Register online.
 
RACGP taking action: Gearing up for the Federal Election
Webinar: Thursday 23 September, 7.00–8.00 pm (AEST)
 
Increasing investment in primary healthcare needs to be a top health priority in the lead up to the next Federal Election.
 
Register for the engageGP Federal Election forum to hear about the RACGP’s public campaign aimed at driving local conversations about why general practice funding matters.
 
Together with an expert panel, President Dr Karen Price will take questions and ideas, plus there will be opportunity to get a first look at the suite of resources the college is developing to support members to advocate for general practice and, ultimately, patients.
 
Register online. 
 
Treating doctor-patients: Tips and traps
Webinar: Thursday 30 September, 8.30–9.30 pm (AEST)
 
Doctors can face unique barriers to accessing healthcare and it is well recognised that without their own GP, doctors are more likely to self-diagnose, self-treat and self-prescribe, which can lead to poorer health outcomes.
 
This webinar explores the tips and traps to help treat doctors more effectively. It will explore the health risks and health-seeking behaviour of doctors, strategies for reducing the barriers to accessing healthcare for doctor-patients and how to improve the quality and outcomes of consultations with doctor-patients.
 
Presented by Dr David Oldham and Dr Helen Wilcox, this free webinar is allocated 2 CPD Activity points.
 
Register now.
 
Closing the Gap PBS Script measure
As of 1 July, the Closing the Gap (CTG) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment program has expanded and operates under a new national system.
 
The system for client CTG registration is run by Services Australia and operates online through Health Professional Online Services (HPOS). 
 
CTG registration is virtually real-time and no longer occurs through completing the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive form. Further information on the changes is available from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s fact sheet.
 
Services Australia has updated the pharmacy claiming system on a temporary basis in response to implementation issues, where patients were being removed from the system. This interim solution will run through until 30 September 2021.
 
Enquiries about the system and HPOS can be addressed to 132 290, or the Services Australia website. Health Professional Education Resources, including CTG e-learning modules, are also available from the Services Australia website.
 
RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health can be contacted for any other queries.
 
Extension to image-based prescription Special Arrangement
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that the Special Arrangement in place for image-based prescribing will be extended one final time to 31 December 2021.
 
Image-based prescribing allows prescribers to email, text or fax a digital image of a paper script to a patient’s pharmacy following a telehealth consultation.
 
Newly updated prescriber, pharmacist and state and territory fact sheets on prescriptions via telehealth are now available on the DoH website.
 
Any questions regarding this announcement can be sent to eprescribing@health.gov.au.
 
RACGP Plus: Exclusive benefits and discounts
With an individual subscription to UpToDate, GPs can benefit from the experience and clinical experience of more than 7300 physician authors and editors.
 
Increase knowledge and gain access to over 12,000 clinical topics in 25 specialities. A 15% discount is also available until 30 November.
 
More information is available on the RACGP Plus website.
 
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CPD doctor self-care member forum rural general practice