In Practice: National Reconciliation Week

This week’s In Practice also includes CPD activities for GPs to broaden their understanding of chronic pain and improve quality of care, and GP subsidies toward completing Focussed Psychological Strategies training.
 
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week, running 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how they can contribute to reconciliation, under this year’s theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’.
 
The RACGP is committed to deepening cultural knowledge and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 
Through its Reconciliation Action Plan framework, the college has been enabled to continue a commitment to reconciliation and improve the knowledge, skills and abilities required to deliver culturally appropriate health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 
Members are encouraged to find out more information on events and resources in their local area on the Reconciliation Australia website, as well as information on supporting effective, culturally safe primary healthcare via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Health Training Framework or the RACGP–NACCHO resource hub.
 
Practical pain neuroscience: Rethinking pain – From damage to protection
Webinar: Thursday 29 May, 7.00 – 8.30 pm (AEST)
CPD: 1.5 EA hour
Register online
 
Presented by Dr Adele Stewart, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Pain Management, this webinar is the first in the series of four and is aimed at GPs seeking to deepen their understanding of pain, enhance communication with patients, and improve the quality of care for individuals experiencing chronic pain. 

Pain neuroscience has shifted from viewing pain as a direct measure of tissue damage to understanding it as a protective buffer. In this session, the Explain Pain model is introduced, highlighting the crucial distinction between nociception (a sensory input) and pain (a whole neuro – endocrine – immune ensemble-generated output).
 
The weak relationship between pain and actual tissue damage will also be explored, helping GPs better understand persistent pain and how to support patients beyond a purely biomedical approach.

FPS CPD subsidy 
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) is offering GPs a limited number of $200 subsidies to go toward completing Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) CPD and maintaining their FPS registration.  
 
GPs are required to complete six hours of FPS CPD each triennium in order to maintain their registration. FPS CPD educates GPs on the interventions approved under the Better Access Initiative, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, and/or the mental disorders treatable under the Better Access Initiative, such as depression or anxiety. 
 
Eligible GPs will be reimbursed $200 once they complete an accredited FPS CPD activity. Application forms for the subsidy are available on the GPMHSC website.  
 
For more information, contact the GPMHSC Secretariat at mentalhealth@racgp.org.au
 
GP Research Noticeboard
The GP Research Noticeboard presents surveys and research projects that GPs can participate in.
 
Current projects listed include ‘OUTPOST study‘ and ‘Priority questions for an Australian living clinical practice guideline for shoulder pain management‘. Members can also submit their research projects to the noticeboard to invite participation from the general practice community. 
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

culturally appropriate healthcare mental health skills training National Reconciliation Week pain management Reconciliation Action Plan