RACGP celebrates practice managers at national conference

The RACGP has met face-to-face with hundreds of the nation’s practice managers in a bid to better understand the role, what it needs, and celebrate those who ensure general practice run smoothly.
 
The Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) National Conference was held in Darwin this month, bringing together professionals from across Australia.
 
The RACGP attended the conference, using its booth there to provide support to managers in general practice and listen to their needs.
 
Among much valuable feedback heard on the ground was that managers want the RACGP to make their lives and the lives of those in the clinic easier with clear and concise information.
 
The college heard specific calls for greater clarity on upcoming reforms such as incentives reviews and MyMedicare, payroll tax obligations, and digital infrastructure to support health information sharing and training.
 
They also provided feedback on the challenges facing GPs providing services during disasters, including difficulty reaching locations to provide services and being hindered by red tape that limited ability to assist.
 
RACGP Commercial Partnerships Manager Steve Carroll was at the conference and told newsGP it was a good experience for the college to learn how it can best create value for clinics and practices.
 
‘It’s not just around engaging with practice managers per se, it’s about engaging with the practice managers so we can engage with the whole clinic, and the practice manager really is the conduit to that,’ he said.
 
‘Practice managers are the ones that are executing for the doctors and the owners, so we want to help them execute and make our members’ lives easier, so that they can focus more on their patients and clinical outcomes.
 
‘It was great to speak to practice managers and understand what it is that they need and how they view our role.’
 
Funding and Health System Reform Business Viability Lead Jenner Sheehan, who used to be a practice manager, said it is always important for any industry, especially within medical, to have opportunities to consult with peers and colleagues.
 
‘It was an enjoyable and informative few days filled with engaging sessions and meaningful discussions with general practice owners, managers, and like-minded innovators,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘Having the ability to look at innovations and different ways of doing things, practice managers and owners are inspired by new technology, so while educational, it is also supportive in lots of different ways.
 
‘Hearing about their insightful and inspiring stories was a privilege, to listen to their ideas and hopes for the future of general practice.’
 
Ms Sheehan said she also discussed the RACGP Advocacy Plan with managers and owners on site, hearing feedback that it reflected and supported their concerns, and that the RACGP is hearing them and advocating on their behalf.
 
The event’s presentations included topics on MyMedicare and incentives, payroll tax, RACGP accreditation, business sustainability, and digital health.
 
RACGP CPD Engagement Manager Sharon Safstrom also attended and said it was a ‘really valuable experience’ to connect with practice managers and to listen, discuss and share CPD resources and initiatives.
 
‘There were many discussions and “aha moments” about how to capture your regular practice and case discussion meetings as a group instead of individually using the practice mapping document available on our CPD resources page and GP-led form,’ she said.
 
‘This means a practice can map out a year of CPD activities, have them recorded regularly, seamlessly capturing the GPs’ CPD hours.’
 
Launched at the conference, these practice team resources are now available online.
 
Practice managers also have an opportunity to register for CPD information sessions on 6 November and 7 November, for more information email cpd.national@racgp.org.au or phone 1800 716 853.
 
Members are urged to save the date for the next RACGP Practice Owner’s Conference which will be held in Melbourne from 24–25 May 2025.
 
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AAPM Australian Association of Practice Management CPD Northern Territory practice managers