In Practice: Tracking GPs’ experience of digital tools

This week’s In Practice round up also includes CPD updates, the college’s work with Foodbank, and the next in line of the COVID-19 vaccine webinars.
 
Member survey: Digital tools in general practice
The use of digital technology in Australian general practices is constantly evolving and has gathered pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a sharp increase in the tools used to support remote patient care.
 
The RACGP is running a survey to understand the systems used in general practices, where future investment is needed, and the technology challenges faced by GPs and their teams. 
 
The college is inviting GPs and practice teams to complete a short and anonymous survey, to provide their insights and opinions.

The survey is available on the RACGP website.
 
Contact the RACGP Practice Technology and Management team with any questions.
 
Additional 25 CPD points for COVID-19 response
The RACGP has allocated an additional 25 continuing professional development (CPD) points to all GPs participating in the CPD Program for the work they’ve undertaken throughout 2021.
 
The points, equivalent to 12.5 hours of non-accredited educational activities, are to recognise the rapid and ongoing education that’s been required of GPs since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
 
The extra CPD points are in addition to anything GPs have already uploaded for COVID-19-related activities.
 
New COVID-19 self-directed accredited activity
The RACGP has also developed a new self-directed CPD accredited activity worth 40 points, to recognise the extensive professional development and quality improvement undertaken by many GPs as a requirement of their pandemic response and changed practices.
 
The new activity will support GPs to reflect on learnings and easily record them in the myCPD dashboard. The activity can be accessed via the myCPD dashboard. 
 
Foodbank Christmas appeal
The RACGP and Foodbank are working together to encourage members to donate to this year’s Foodbank Christmas appeal.
 
Foodbank’s programs provide healthy and nutritious food to Australians experiencing food insecurity. Many Australians have done it tough throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Foodbank has seen a 47% increase in demand for food relief since the pandemic was declared.
 
Working on the frontline and communicating with their communities every day, GPs have seen these difficulties firsthand.
 
Melbourne GP Dr Nathan Pinskier and OnSite Doctor are encouraging GPs to support this important cause and will match up to $100,000 in donations.
 
The generosity of GPs will make a big difference to the lives of many Australians – for every $1 donated, two meals are created. Donate online.
 
Vaccine hesitancy and practice efficiencies
Webinar: Thursday 2 December, 7.00 pm AEST
 
Part of the RACGP’s webinar series on the unique challenges being faced in the COVID vaccine rollout, this free webinar will explore strategies to engage vaccine hesitant patients.
 
Information on side effects, Moderna vaccines and mRNA-1273, booster vaccine doses and mixed vaccines will be covered. Also discussed will be ways to make general practices more efficient in vaccine delivery and lessons learned throughout the pandemic to date.
 
Register online.
 
Strengthening the financial position of your practice amid the pandemic
‘In the fourth edition of our CommwealthBank GP Insights Report, we explore how the economics of running a practice have shifted amid the pandemic. We closely examine the allocation of elevated technology budgets, the success of telehealth and the operational and financial impact of ongoing vaccination program. Importantly, we also hear from patients about their practice experience.’
 
That is Caitlin Wilson, Head of Strategy and Operations at CommBank Health, speaking at the recent RACGP webinar on finances in general practice.
 
A recording of the webinar is now available for GPs to compare and understand the strategies that can help their practice navigate what lies ahead.
 
Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology
Are your dermatology skills only skin deep?
 
The RACGP’s Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology has been developed to help GPs and GPs in training increase their expertise and confidence when presented with dermatological cases in their practice.
 
Registration for the certificate can be done at any time of the year and completed at participants’ own pace within three years.
 
Participants can sign up per course or enrol for the whole certificate in advance – saving $1125 on course fees. Register online.
 
In-person workshops have now been announced for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in 2022, pending COVID-19 restrictions. More information is available on the RACGP website.
 
The RACGP’s Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology is supported by Sonic Healthcare.
 
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COVID-19 CPD digital health In Practice webinars