North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0841: November 27, 2008
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the NEV catchment. The aim is to provide up to date information relevant to GPs and to disseminate the latest activities and resources from the division. All feedback and enquiries welcome and should be addressed to Patty Marshall. You can also visit our website at: http://www.nevdgp.org.au/.
To subscribe to eNews click on subscribe. To be removed from the eNews distribution list click on Unsubscribe

 

In this issue:

Editorial                                          The NEW PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STRATEGY AND YOU          

Professional Development           CPD events         

HMR                                                Cardio-vascular interventions    

Information Management            includes General Computer Tip, Medical Director Tips and New on the Web

Items of interest                            Austin Health Christmas/New Year Closures 2008/09, New Self Management Program For Stroke Survivors, The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service, Expressions of Interest – StreetDoctor, GP Network News     

News for Practice Staff                 Practice Managers final meeting, Medicare 4 year old Health Checks, Attention Practice Managers         

Women’s Health                            Ante-Natal Screening, Menstrual Disorders Multiple Choice Questions                          

Positions vacant/wanted                

Fun stuff                                            

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A Word from the Editor

The NEW PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STRATEGY AND YOU

This week’s elements for comment by membership (Please see last week’s editorial)

The key elements of an enhanced primary health care system?

            2. Patient-centred and supportive of health literacy, self-management and individual preference;

3. More focussed on preventive care, including support of healthy lifestyles;

 

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CPD

Term 4 GP Lecture Program

Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Pathology Building, Repatriation Hospital, Austin Health, West Heidelberg. Lunch is provided. Course Leader: Dr Vin Nursey Phone: 9457 1736

December 2 - Ante-Natal Screening - Mr Peter Ashton

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

gplearning Case of the Month – young person’s health with a twist…

Amy, aged 14, is brought to see you by her mother who is concerned by recent changes in Amy’s behaviour. Something is going on, but you’re not quite sure what. How does any GP manage a young person’s problems in an increasingly changing world? This month’s case is moderated by gplearning educator Dr Deborah Hawthorne. This activity has been approved for RACGP QA&CPD Category 2 points. Visit www.gplearning.com.au or access via MyGeneralPractice.

 

APNA Online Immunisation Course

RACGP in association with the Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA) and the Australian Department of Health and Ageing has launched six new online learning activities aimed at practice nurses and other members of the practice team.  The activities are free and available through RACGPs online education portal GP learning at www.gplearning.com.au/

 

Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association (ALMA)

Lifestyle Medicine has been a growing area of interest for primary health care professionals. The first national conference in Lifestyle Medicine is scheduled for 20-22 March 2009 in Manly NSW. Keynote address by Dr Norman Swan (ABC Health Report). For more information and registration see www.alma-inc.com.au

 

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HMR

Final Session - Cardio-vascular interventions (emphasis on medication)

Wednesday December 3, 6.30pm – 9.00pm (Sit down dinner provided) – At John Scott Meeting House Latrobe University. Presenter: Prof Omar Farouque (Head cardioilogy Austin Health) Target Group: GPs, Pharmacists and Practice Nurses 

Contact: Dr Jenny Gowan 9416 7689

 

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Information Management

General Computer Tip - Finding pictures on the net

1.   Go to the Google search engine.

2.   Click on the Images link (top left of screen).

3.   Type in the key word(s) (e.g. stethoscope) and click on the Search Images button.

4.   Click on the image to be taken to the relevant site.

5.   At the top of the screen click on See full-size image.

6.   Right click on the image and select Copy – you can then later paste it to another program such as Word or Powerpoint.

7.   Open Microsoft Word and from the Edit menu select Paste – the picture will now be pasted into the word processor.

 

Medical Director Tip - Care with Letterhead templates

When modifying your Practice or User Letterhead, it is critical you do not insert either the Practice Letterhead field or User Letterhead field into the Practice Letterhead.

This causes a “logic loop”, the Letterhead will attempt to load itself into itself, freezing the Letter Writer. In the unlikely event you have done this, you must restart Medical Director, modify the Letterhead template by removing the Letterhead field from the Letterhead template.

 

This weeks IM problem - Investigation requests not recorded in Progress Notes

Question: We just upgraded to MD3 and the clinical details of the investigation requests are not being recorded in the Progress Notes. Why?

Answer: Unfortunately not all the options are retained during the migration from MD2 to MD3. Have no patient record open and from the Tools menu, select Options and then the Investigations tab. Place a tick in the “Save clinical details in progress notes”.

 

New on the Web

1.     Inhaler technique in adults with asthma or COPD - a large proportion of patients prescribed inhaled medications do not use their inhalers correctly. This paper offers the latest information for health professionals with stepwise tables for every device. See under Asthma Resources

 

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Items of Interest

Austin Health Christmas/New Year Closures 2008/09

Please note that during the forthcoming Christmas/New Year period there will be a reduction in the number of services available from Austin Health as follows:

Outpatients  - will be closed from Wednesday 24/12/08 and re-opening on Monday 12/01/09. There will be 3 emergency Outpatients clinic dates – Monday 29/12/09, Monday 05/01/09 and Thursday 08/01/09.

After Hours GP Clinic – will be closed from Monday 22/12/08 and re-opening on Monday 12/01/09.

Medi Hotel – will be closed from Wednesday 24/12/08 and re-opening on Monday 12/01/09.

Ambulatory Care Centre/Transit Lounge – will be closed from Thursday 25/12/08 to Monday 29/12/09 and closed from Thursday 01/01/09 to Monday 05/01/09.

The Emergency Department will be operating as normal during the Christmas/New Year period.

 

New Self Management Program For Stroke Survivors in the North East area

The National Stroke Foundation has developed a self management program tailored to the needs of stroke survivors starting in February 2009.

The program: runs for 2. 5hrs/week for 8 weeks; is Co - facilitated by a Stroke Educator and an experienced stroke survivor/carer; Provides education, information and skill development that helps stroke survivors and carers to connect more effectively with local services and programs; Addresses the physical, emotional, psychological and social aspects of the stroke recovery journey; and Helps stroke survivors develop a “road map” to stroke recovery which is a Care Plan that can be used to better manage your stroke clients. Any stroke survivor and/or carer over the age of 18 years who are living in the community are welcome. Please contact Belinda Bailey, Stroke Educator, Self Management Program, National Stroke Foundation Ph 9670 1000 or email bbailey@strokefoundation.com.au

 to refer patients.

 

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) Vic

This is a new 24-hour telephone helpline that provides specialist advice and assessment to carers, care workers, and health professionals of people with dementia experiencing behaviours of concern.  DBMAS Vic comprises a multidisciplinary team of Old Aged Psychiatrists, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, and psychiatric and generalist nurses.  DBMAS Vic can be contacted on 1800 699 799 for more information.

 

Expressions of Interest

PivotWest is seeking Expressions of Interest from GPs and Nurses (Div 1 & 2) to staff a new initiative.

StreetDoctor will deliver primary care services from a specially constructed Mobile Heath Unit in the Western suburbs. The target client group will be homeless, transient, low or no income. Street Doctor staff will be offered attractive hourly rates as PivotWest employees.  Salary Packaging is available. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

For further information, or to lodge an EOI, please contact Sharon Desmond, Street Doctor Project Officer, PivotWest on 9689 4566, or sharon@pivotwest.org.au.

 

GP Network News

The latest edition can be found here.

 

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News for Practice Staff

Practice Managers final meeting for 2008

ALL PRACTICE STAFF WELCOME - Thursday 4th December 6.30-9pm (dinner provided) - “Celebrating Success" & "Comedy from the bedside". At John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. Contact Noel on 9496 4333 [Flyer]

 

Medicare 4 year old Health Checks (only thirty places)

Training dates for practice nurses to do the 4 year old health check training:  Tuesday 13th January, Tuesday 20th January, and Thursday 29th January 09. Venue: The Nurses Memorial Centre, Suite 11, 431 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Flyer & registration

·         Each training session will be limited to thirty places

·         Nurses will have to pay the course fee up front, they will need to put in a claim form (available soon) to reclaim the 50% subsidy offered through GPV on completion of the training

·         Ausmed are willing to run further courses. There will be more courses on offer in Melbourne early next year. Cynthea Wellings -  Ausmed Conferences cwelling@ausmed.com.au M: 0414 785 505 Office: (03) 9375 7311 can be contacted if you would like this course to be run through your rural division.  

 

Attention Practice Managers!!!

Would you like to provide more comprehensive care for your patients? Would you like to generate more income for your practice? But there is already so much for your staff to do?! Then you need us! Care Plans R’Us is a team of pharmacists, registered nurses, interpreters and administrative personnel who will streamline your assessment items hassle free. For more information please visit our website www.careplansrus.com.au or contact us at info@careplansrus.com.au

 

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Women’s Health

Ante-Natal Screening

See under CPD Tuesday Lecture

 

Menstrual Disorders Multiple Choice Questions v2

gplearning has just released an updated educational activity covering management issues of menstruation from menarche to menopause, both normal and abnormal. Feedback is displayed immediately on submission of your response to each question.

On completion of this activity you should be able to:

* Understand normal female pubertal development

* Be aware of a range of common menstrual problems

* Identify appropriate management options for these conditions

* Recognise the need to exclude pregnancy in girls presenting with primary dysmenorrhoea or with abnormal vaginal bleeding

On completion of the activity, your score will be available. If you have 80% or more of the questions correct, you may print a certificate of completion which entitles you to two Category 2 QA&CPD points for the 2008-2010 triennium. For QA&CPD points for the Current Triennium, visit www.gplearning.com.au. To participate in the Case of the Month select from the home page or within - 'Category 2 Activities'. gplearning Help Desk, Freecall: 1800 284 789. Email: contactus@gplearning.com.au

 

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Positions vacant/wanted

Please note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other ads can be found on the website

 

Positions vacant

Doctors

Ivanhoe Medical Clinic - sessions for PT or FT VR GP. Modern, large group with supportive colleagues and full time nurses, computerised, CDMs, mixed billing, flexible, friendly, no A/H, good remuneration. Contact Dr.Stephen Smith or Dr.David Doig on 03 9499 1245.

 

Northcote – F/t P/T VR GP or Subsequent Trainee GP position. Fully accredited, computerised, long established doctor owned practice in a new purpose built facility with a fabulous work environment. Ancillary Health, Pharmacy and Pathology services on site. Inquiries Diane Cronin (Practice Manager) 9481 1214. Visit our website www.doctorsofnorthcote.com 

Practice Staff

Prahran - Practice Nurse Rn Div 1/Rn Div 2 required for an AGPAL accredited medical clinic that specialises in travel medicine, skin health, women’s health and cosmetic procedures. Experience in Wound Care Management/Dressings; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; ECGs/Audiometry/Spirometry; Immunisation Accreditation & Pap Smear Accredited will be highly regarded. All applications to: Elizabeth Dickson, Business Manager, High Street Medical Clinic. elizabeth.dickson@uhg.com.au  

 

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Humour

Everything Has a Gender
You may not know this but many nonliving things have a gender.

·        Ziploc Bags are Male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.

·        Copiers are Female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again. It's an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can wreak havoc if the wrong buttons are pushed.

·        A tyre is Male, because it goes bald and it's often over-inflated.

·        A Hot Air Balloon is Male, because, to get it to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under it, and of course, there's the hot air part.

·        Sponges are Female, because they're soft, squeezable and retain water.

·        A Web Page is Female, because it's always getting hit on.

·        A Subway is Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.

·        An Hourglass is Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom.

·        A Hammer is Male, because it hasn't changed much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around.

·        A Remote Control is Female. Ha! You thought it'd be male, didn't you? But consider this - it gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he
doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying!

 

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And remember

 

            ... paranoids are people too;  they have their own problems.  It’s easy to criticise but if everybody hated you, you’d be paranoid too!