Regional Head of Education update
Congratulations on reaching the end of another GP training year. In these final weeks of 2019, I encourage you to reflect on the year, what you have learnt and how far you have journeyed.
I consider it to be a real privilege to be involved in GP training, raising quality GPs for the future, resulting in a positive impact on the health of our local community.
I love to receive feedback. Preferably feedback that is specific, behaviour focused, timely and given in a respectful manner that maintains the relationship. I really value those of my colleagues and friends who take the time to challenge my thinking or to encourage me to improve myself.
What about you? Do you actively seek feedback? How do you know if your supervisor thinks you are performing and learning well? What could you be doing in your next phase of learning? I encourage you to ask your supervisor and practice manager for feedback and to make time to reflect on what they say.
The first time I presented a workshop at GP Synergy, a member of the audience fell asleep! Yes, it was after lunch on the second tiring day of lectures, but this non-verbal, unrequested feedback resulted in some significant self-reflection. I’m certain I am a better presenter now because of the skills I learnt following those early presentations.
As an apprenticeship model of training, much of your learning takes place in general practice, seeing patients, seeking your supervisor’s assistance, observing their role modelling. I encourage you to provide feedback to your supervisor about the support and teaching you have received this term. It would be worthwhile to request feedback on your performance and how well you have fit within the practice environment.
As Medical Educators (MEs), we support registrars throughout your training experience and are involved in coordinating and teaching at registrar educational release workshops. I would like to thank our wonderful team of MEs for their dedication and enthusiasm. Thank you to those of you who completed evaluations of our workshop program this year. We value your feedback and make changes for future workshops based on your responses.
I would like to give a big shout out to your Education Coordinator, Kym Cashen. Kym provides training support for approximately 400 registrars and does an amazing job at providing timely responses to enquiries.
As we quickly approach the end of the 2019, I encourage you to ask your supervisor for constructive feedback on your progress. Then you can consider how you might weave this feedback into your learning plan for next year.
Dr Catherine Casey | Regional Head of Education Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney
2020.1 Medicare provider number deadline changed
Deadline for 2020.1 Medicare paperwork now 6 December:
The deadline to submit an application for Medicare provider numbers for the 2020.1 term is Friday 6 December not Friday 13 December as previously advised. Please ensure you have submitted the signed AGPT paperwork for a placement to GP Synergy by 6 December 2019, and any Medicare initial provider number applications and other Medicare paperwork to Medicare by 6 December 2019 to avoid MPN processing delays.
Medicare provider number check:
Once you have received your Medicare provider number, you must check your letter to confirm you have been issued with a provider number with full billing rights before you commence billing patients. Registrars with refer and request rights will only be able to refer patients and request investigations, until a provider number with full billing rights is received.
2020.1 term dates:
3 February 2020 – 2 August 2020
Plan your BLS and ALS requirements
Study of non-pharmacological management of congestive heart failure
GP Synergy Board reappointments announced
Launch of the Learning Activities Packages!
The Learning Activities Packages (LAPs) are a set of learning activities you can complete to:
- help prepare you for your first GP term
- progress through GP training in your subsequent GP terms.
The learning activities are accessible through GPRime’s Quick Links and Subscriptions tab. Some learning activities are compulsory, such as the Pre-GP Term Assessment and the Procedural Skills Log, others are not but are highly recommended (e.g. PBS and Medicare online modules).
All RACGP and ACRRM registrars should review the LAPs as they will assist in addressing and identifying your learning needs as well as developing competency in clinical practice.
Wellbeing and support resources
Academic post success for 2020
VMO working arrangements for registrars
Where do registrars go for in-consultation information, advice and assistance?
Evidence for practice – findings from the GP Synergy Research and Evaluation Unit
Answering clinical questions arising from patient care improves care and increases patient safety. It is also a rich source of learning for registrars. Some questions need to be answered immediately – within the consultation that prompts the clinical question. Registrars seek in-consultation information and assistance in 21% of consultations, for 15% of all problems/diagnoses managed, and from multiple sources. The most common sources of information/assistance are the supervisor (or their delegate) in 45% of instances, and electronic sources (42%). Specialists (5.8%), other health professionals (3.9%) and hardcopy sources (9.7%) are much less common (note that more than one source can be used for a single question and more than one question can be generated per consultation).
Information is sought in 9.9% of instances for diagnosis, in 61.3% for management, and in 28.8% for both diagnosis and management. The most common systems for which information is sought are skin (16.0%), musculoskeletal (10.8%) and respiratory (10.7%).
The proportion of problems/diagnoses for which Term 1 registrars seek information or assistance is 21%; in Term 2 13%; in Term 3 11%; and in Term 4 8.6%.
Human information sources (rather than, mainly electronic, non-human sources) seem to be preferentially sought for more complex problems, even by these registrars who have trained in the ‘internet era’.
Magin P, Morgan S, Wearne S, Tapley A, Henderson K, Oldmeadow C, Ball J, Scott J, Spike N, McArthur L, van Driel M. General practitioners’ in-consultation information-seeking: associations with human, paper and electronic sources. 2015. Family Practice 32 (5): 525-532. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmv047.
For further information contact Professor Parker Magin, Director, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit: parker_magin@gpsynergy.com.au
2020.1 key training dates
Stay on top of the key training dates for the 2020.1 term.
RACGP fellowship assessments
Key information for exam enrolment and exam dates can be found on the RACGP website.
ACRRM fellowship assessments
Key information for assessment support program dates can be found on the ACRRM website.