News

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In Practice: Rural workforce incentives

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This week’s In Practice also features a number of upcoming events and upskilling opportunities related to managing family violence in general practice, as well as new veterans’ care resources, and information on NACCHO’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Academy.
 
Rural Workforce Incentives Program
Webinar: Wednesday 3 April, 6.00 – 7.00 pm (AEDT)
 
RACGP Rural representatives, alongside representatives from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and Rural Doctors Association of Australia, will attend a webinar hosted by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) to answer questions about the Workforce Incentive Program – Rural Advanced Skills payments.
 
The webinar will cover: 

• an overview of the program and its purpose
• eligibility requirements
• payment arrangements
• the application process and how to apply. 

DoHAC will also record the event and post a copy of the recording on its website for those unable to attend on the day. RACGP Rural will share outcomes of this event in the coming weeks. 
 
Register online.
 
NACCHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Academy
The NACCHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Academy (ASA) is aimed at health workers or health professionals working in within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector.
 
Participants can upskill in antibiotic use, audit, stewardship, surveillance, and resistance in this free, online fortnightly program running from 8 April to 9 September 2024.
 
The training will cover: 
 

• performing antimicrobial stewardship audits
• using surveillance skills to collect, understand and utilise antimicrobial resistance data
• advocating for antibiotic resistance issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to policymakers and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy. 

In addition to attaining CPD points, ASA participants will receive mentoring and networking with experts in the field, along with learning how to implement change and quality improvement strategies in their organisation.
 
Applications can be submitted by 5.00 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 2 April.
A copy of the program is available on the NACCHO website.
 
Family Violence GP Education Program
GPs can upskill in treating and understanding those affected by family violence through the 2024 Family Violence GP Education Program.
 
These sessions will build knowledge and confidence to help GPs provide the best support for patients in their community. Offering a mix of self-directed and peer group learning, the program will run throughout the year with first intakes opening 4 and 9 April.
 
Participants can claim five hours of CPD upon completion of the program. Sign up for the April intake and find out more about the program on the RACGP website.
 
Family Violence Program: Peer group learning
GPs and their practice teams have a significant role to play in responding to and caring for patients who are experiencing family violence.
 
The RACGP’s Family Violence GP Education Program is designed to build skills, understanding and confidence in caring for patients and their family members affected by family violence. GPs can join a discussion group with like-minded colleagues.
 
Peer group learning Zoom meeting schedule: 
 

• Meeting 1: Thursday 4 April, 6.30 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)
• Meeting 2: Thursday 11 April 6.30 – 8.00 pm (AEST)
• Meeting 3: Thursday 18 April 6.30 – 8.30 pm (AEST) 

Register online.
 
Family Violence Program: ‘Dine and Discuss’ series
Webinar: Tuesday 2 April, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEDT)

GPs can stay informed with the latest domestic violence headlines by joining the conversation with peers. Throughout the discussion, experts will discuss how to adopt techniques to help patients who may be experiencing a domestic violence situation.
 
Each month a case that has been played out in the media will be examined. This month the focus is the case of Sophia, who survived 17 years of coercive control by her ex-husband. 
 
Register online.
 
Veterans’ allied healthcare webpages
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has released a new resource featuring dedicated webpages for dental, psychology and allied health providers treating veterans.
 
Dermatological surgery workshop
Date: Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (AEST)
Location: Silverwater Resort San Remo Victoria
 
GPs play a vital role in diagnosing and managing common skin conditions, including skin cancer, making techniques in dermatological surgery an essential skillset for every GP.  
 
Attendees can maximise their clinical knowledge and enhance surgery techniques with the RACGP’s comprehensive two-day dermatological surgery workshop and online training, which is open to GPs of all skill levels.

This two-day workshop will provide hands-on training in small group practical sessions, performing basic surgery and flap repairs on pigs’ bellies.

Pre-requisite: Participants must complete online course DermCert 4: Practical procedures in dermatology before attending the workshop. The registration fee includes DermCert 4 and the two-day workshop.
 
Register online.
 
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health antimicrobial stewardship family violence rural veterans’ health workforce incentives

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