News

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In Practice: RACGP Faculty Chairs announced

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This week’s In Practice also includes a reminder about applications for the Future Leaders Program, social events at GP24, CPD opportunities for mental health training, and the GP research noticeboard.
 
RACGP 2024 Faculty Chairs
The RACGP has announced the 2024 Chairs of its Board following last month’s faculty council representative announcements.
 
Most nominees are continuing in their roles, and the college welcomes Dr Jeremy Hudson as the new Chair of Specific Interests. The official transition will take place at the RACGP’s Annual General Meeting on 21 November at GP24, where all continuing and incoming chairs will be honoured. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health – Dr Karen Nicholls (continuing) 
• GPs in Training – Dr Rebecca Loveridge (continuing) 
• New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory – Dr Rebekah Hoffman (continuing 
• Northern Territory – Dr Sam Heard (continuing) 
• Queensland – Dr Cathryn Hester (continuing) 
• Rural – Associate Professor Michael Clements (continuing) 
• Specific Interests – Dr Jeremy Hudson (incoming) 
• South Australia – Dr Siân Goodson (continuing) 
• Tasmania – Dr Toby Gardner (continuing) 
• Victoria – Dr Anita Muñoz (continuing) 
• Western Australia – Dr Ramya Raman (continuing) 

The RACGP thanks Dr Lara Roeske for her six years of dedicated service as the Chair of Specific Interests.  
 
Future Leaders Program applications 
Applications for the 2025 RACGP Future Leaders Program are open until 10 November.
 
This fully funded program offers 37 CPD hours: 21 in Educational Activities (EA) and 16 in Performance Review (PR) activities. Program participants receive expert guidance, access to essential resources, and opportunities to explore the core values that shape their leadership. 
 
Members are encouraged to apply to enhance their skills and make a meaningful impact to the future of general practice.
 
GP24 social events: Make time to connect with colleagues
GP24 is just around the corner, and those planning their conference schedule are reminded to make time for the social events, where there will be the chance to connect with peers and colleagues, and rub shoulders with industry experts. Among the conference’s social events are:
 

• Cocktails and canapes at the Welcome Function on Thursday 21 November to debrief after day one
• A live band at the conference Gala Dinner, hosted at the WA Museum Boola Bardip on Friday 22 November.

Find out more and register for the Gala Dinner online.
 
Focussed Psychological Strategies
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 the following two categories:
 

• cognitive behaviour therapy
• interpersonal therapy.

GPs who completed an accredited FPS ST activity will be able to use the above evidence-based FPS interventions with their patients, providing much needed mental health care.
 
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.
 
GP Research Project Noticeboard
The GP Research Project Noticeboard presents surveys and research projects for GPs, such as a study on the impact of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease on diagnostic confidence and primary care management.
 
The noticeboard lists 25+ projects GPs can participate in. GPs can also submit their research projects to the noticeboard to invite participation from the general practice community.
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

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faculty elections Future Leaders Program GP24 In Practice mental health training RACGP Board research

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