No 0920: June 18, 2009
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices (with
email addresses) within the
Editorial Swine
flu update
Chronic
Disease Management Type 1 Kids Being Missed
Professional Development CPD events
HMR Common
gastroenterology conditions
Immunisation Pertussis Prevention for New Parents
Information
Management 3 New MD templates on website, Medical Director Tips
Items of
interest Men’s Health Week, Disease prevention
guidelines, News from
Mental Health Free DVD resources to support the Australian
Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
News for
Practice Staff Treating Symptoms of
Dementia, AGPN NiGP Nursing News
NPS Treating
the Symptoms of Dementia
Paediatrics Royal Children’s Hospital Practical Paediatrics Program
Women’s Health Common Problems in Pregnancy Including Diabetes
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In Victoria we are in Modified Sustain Phase until further notice. Please see our website for the latest detailed information that was released June 17, 2009. This includes advice for health professionals. It is also worthwhile following the RACGP link which is also on our website and checking the DHS website daily.
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Type 1 diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in childhood and adolescence. Unfortunately, diagnosis can be delayed resulting in children being admitted to hospital in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A recent study in the MJA shows that approximately 30% of children with newly diagnosed diabetes were not sent to hospital within 24 hours of GP presentation and that 50% of children admitted to hospital in DKA were seen by a GP in the previous week. Doctors or nurses in general practice must send a child or adolescent with glucose present in either the urine or blood above the normal BGL range to the closest emergency department for assessment and prompt management. It is important to notify the Endocrinology Registrar to alert them of your patient’s arrival. Refer to the Clinical Practice Guidelines: Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents for further information.
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Doctors Control Panel – going green, the NEW SMARTPEN to help with note taking, MIA Direct - online image delivery, Remote Access and 3G Internet Access
Thursday
25th June, 6:30pm – 9.00pm (Dinner Provided) at John Scott Meeting House, La
Including appropriate use and fitting of Personal Protection Equipment. For all general practice staff.
Two sessions on 7th and 16th July 2009 at John Scott Meeting House.
More information to follow next week.
Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the
Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor,
NB: There will be no lecture
next week – Tuesday June 23
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
Austin Health - Division
of Medicine Grand Round
“Getting It Up in
the Morning: a sign of Postural Intolerance” Speakers: Dr Gabriel Mak, Clinical Registrar; Dr
Christopher O’Callaghan, Clinical Pharmacologist & Dr Nicholas Pachter,
Clinical Geneticist. Wednesday 24th June, 12:10pm
at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4,
Despite a steady increase in diagnoses of new cases, awareness of Sarcoma is low, leading to late diagnosis and high mortality and morbidity. Early detection can significantly reduce the need for radical surgery and increase survival. During National Sarcoma Week Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Sarcoma Service are conducting a workshop to assist GPs in: Identifying patients at higher risk of sarcoma; Identifying signs and symptoms of sarcoma; and Understanding referral pathways.
Wednesday 22 July 6.45pm – 9.00pm (registration and refreshments from 6:15pm) at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 1st Floor Lecture Theatre. RACGP Category 2 points per hour. RSVP: July 13 to Philippa Davis on 9635 5049 or email Philippa.Davis@cancervic.org.au
Andrology
Alternatively, GPs may complete all four case studies of the Younger men's
health ALM to accrue RACGP CPD 40 category 1 points and be guaranteed to
receive a free orchidometer. The online case studies can be found here.
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The session will cover: Risk versus benefit: safety of the patient; Dyspepsia, reflux and ulcers - when to refer, what tests are necessary; The use of proton pump inhibitors - benefits, differences, side effects, interactions; Medication issues: Which drug, dose, duration? Plus more.
Speakers: Dr Steven Lontos - Gastroenterologist, Prof. Louis Roller
Wednesday
1 July 6:30pm–9:30pm, Dinner from 6:30pm at John Scott House, La
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1. Tamilflu for family members – a new MD
template to the pharmacist to supply Tamilflu to family members as per the
amended Public Health Emergency Order No S 175 Friday 5 June 2009. Saves time
by not having to write individual scripts for each family member – found under IM Resources – 10. Other
templates (thanks to Pauline Oakley, Wingrove MC)
2. Notification of STIs and non-STIs –
this is DHS approved and found under IM Resources – No. 9 - DHS
Notifications and Applications
3.
Northern Diabetes Services Referral
Form - the Northern
Health HARP
In MD3 you can modify the appearance of your medication list. When modifying a template you can right click on the <<Clinical Details:Medication List>> field and remove the ticks from the unwanted columns, such as Limited Medications Elapse date, Route of Administration, last script date. You can also include the generic name in brackets after the drug trade name. Not available in MD2
Question: When doing a pathology request and adding Clinical details, I want the clinical details to be added to the Pathology requested in the progress notes. How do I do this?
Answer: Go to Tools > Options > Investigations and place a tick in the Save clinical details in progress notes box and press Save.
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Men’s Health Week ‘09 aims to
increase awareness of important male specific health issues. It celebrates the
contribution men make to their family, their work and the community, while
urging men to get out of their comfort zone and start thinking about their
health even when they’re healthy, and to regularly see their GP. To find out
more click here. The
RACGP’s men’s preventive health initiative, the M5 Project, is being promoted
throughout Men’s Health Week. We are looking for GPs to attend these events, to
assist with health checks and to speak informally with those attending about
men’s preventive health. For more information, visit RACGP website.
This list of guidelines from GPV’s June edition of the PCUpdate is a handy resource for GPs for their PIPs. Click here and see under Disease Prevention.
Mental Health - Guidelines for staff
Management Guidelines for Screening and Management of Hepatitis C Virus - these quick guidelines have been developed by the Department of Gastroenterology.
GP Companion Resource to the “12 questions to ask your doctor if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis B” available here or here
Aged Care Education for GP’s and Practice Nurses - The Victorian Geriatric Medicine Training program offers free online education in the area of geriatric medicine. Modules include continence in the elderly, pain in older persons, legal aspects of ageing, falls and balance disorders, dementia and delirium. More information or contact Christine Lloyd, Education Program Manager at Christine.Lloyd@svhm.org.au
GPs around
Anyone who has recently used over the counter codeine such as Mersyndol,
Nurofen Plus, Panafen Plus, Panadeine or other strong pain relievers is invited to take part in a research project
examining the use of pain-killers/analgesics containing codeine, mental health
and other problems. To complete the survey please click here.
This week’s edition includes: Influenza
pandemic training, Have your say on improving PIP, Latest Veterans’ MATES
module – heart failure, GPs recognised in Queen's Birthday honours list.
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The Rural Health Education Foundation’s DVD is now available free to health practitioners. This DVD was developed in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, and aims to improve practitioner’s knowledge and capacity to manage mental health conditions following trauma. The DVD also contains a community program called ‘904c Recovery from Trauma: What Works’ aimed at those who have experienced trauma and their families or carers.
To order email your full postal address details (including phone number and
email address) to support@rhef.com.au
or contact the Foundation directly on (02) 6232 5480.
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NB: Due to increased PN activity
in most general practices we have rescheduled this training session to the 25th
August. Further information will be provided closer to the date. See flyer.
Inside the May/June edition: Launch of e-learning package, Future of NiGP, Introduction to general practice and Orientation Program Domestic Violence Referral Points Project, AGPN National Forum, DVD: NiGP – it’s a choice. Other News: Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program, CareSearch, Kidney Health Week, Cancer Learning Survey, Articles Courtesy AGPN Mid-Week Facts, Articles Courtesy Nursing Matters, Articles Courtesy RCNA.
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Please note the
‘Treating the symptoms of Dementia’ program is due to complete at the end of
June 2009. One to one practice visits
and case study meetings for groups of 3 or more GPs are available. Sessions award 2 RACGP points (category 2
points). The program will run until end 30th June 2009. The program discuses the limited benefits of
dementia medications (cholinesterase inhibitors & memantine), use of
antipsychotics in dementia and more ….see program flyer.
If you have never taken part in an educational session and are interested in
this topic please contact Dr Mary Levidiotis on 9496 4333 or email mary@nevdgp.org.au
or contact Ms Melanie Hay on 9416 7689
or email Melanie.Hay@ndgp.org.au
or use the attached form to contact us.
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Divisions of General Practice, with the RCH, has a series of practical paediatrics sessions for the rest of 2009, all will be CPD accredited with the RACGP. Please mark any interested sessions in your diaries and watch this space for further promotion.
· August 12th Wed, 6.30pm – Child behaviour, ADHD and sleep; venue: Northern Division of General Practice
· September 10th, Weight and gut issues, venue: Royal Children’s Hospital
· October 17th Saturday morning – Common paediatric respiratory presentations; venue Royal Children’s Hospital
· November 12th Thursday, 6.30pm – Common paediatric ENT; venue Royal Children’s Hospital
See: RCH Primary Care Liaison (Kids Connect) www.rch.org.au/kidsconnect > Professional Education
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An Epworth HealthCare GP CPD education meeting. Speakers: Dr Stephen Cole - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist; Dr Peter Wein - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Tuesday
23 June 6.30pm – 9.15pm at 303-320 Canvas - Level
Further information & RSVP Lisa Monkivitch on 9426 8504 by Thursday 18 June Fax: 9426 8997 or email: lisam@epworth.org.au
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Please
note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other
ads can be found on the website
Doctors
Greensborough Road Surgery is currently seeking a Full-Time GP, approx 8 sessions pw. A position is available for an enthusiastic GP to join our team in a modern, well-equipped 8-doctor practice, offering high-quality care in an experienced and supportive environment. Private billing, computerised, 2 full-time nurses, (clinical and CDM.) Contact Ann McCormack (03) 9435 0711 or email drs@grs.net.au
Lower Plenty - F/T, P/T GP - VR overseas trained Dr is required for a busy, fully computerised, accredited and friendly family medical and dental centre.
Call: Christine or Dr Eva Tossoun on 9432 5400
Practice
Staff
Kinglake Community Medical Centre 2 positions
- Practice Nurse required to provide nursing services at the Kinglake Community Medical Centre. The medical practice has been established in response to the devastating Black Saturday bushfires to the practice population. The position is expected to work as part of the general medical practice team currently consisting of 1FTE GP, a position shared by 12 rostered GPs and Receptionist as well as work in collaboration with the range of other services within the Kinglake catchment area.
Job description. Applications close June 26, 2009.
- Medical Receptionist wanted to provide reception services at the Kinglake Community Medical Centre. Initially a 6 month F/T OR 6 month P/T (job share) position is available with the possibility of extension. Experience with Medical Director and/or Pracsoft (Practice Management computer software) will be highly regarded
Job description. Applications close June 26, 2009.
Eastern and
north-eastern suburbs - Italian speaking nurse available to assist GPs
requiring Health Assessments and Care Plans for their Italian patients. Call
Monica on 0409 559 227
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Email Warning
If you receive an email from the Department of Health telling you
not to eat tinned pork because of swine flu - ignore it.
It's just spam.
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And remember…
… everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.