No 1016: May 20, 2010
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices
(with email addresses) within the
In this issue:
Editorial Clarification
re item 723 & 732
Aged Care Assisting
GPs to manage complex older patients
Chronic Disease Management Healthwise seminar - Type 2 Diabetes, New and improved online shop
Professional Development CPD
events
Information Management Medical Director Tips
Items of interest Urology Outpatient appointment, Do you want help with Care Planning & Health Assessments? Fact sheet for GPs on what Optometrists can do, GP Network News
Mental Health Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
News for Practice Staff Two
Day Diabetes Update, Exciting News from the Federal Budget for General
Practice Nurses, New Technology for the Progressive Practice, Managing the
Symptoms of Menopause, New UNE
Partnerships Practice Manager Development Program for Divisions
NPS NPS
Audit update – COPD audit enrolments now open
Women’s Health Jean
Hailes Foundation update, Menorrhagia
and Other Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
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A Word from the Editor
Clarification re item 723 & 732 after 1 May 2010
Despite a subtle change of words in the recent update of items 723 & 732 after 1 May 2010, and the hope by many GPs, that the process had now been streamlined some what, Medicare has finally advised that the TCA has to be complete before the service can be claimed. A more detailed explanation is on the website.
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Aged Care
Assisting GPs to manage complex older patients
Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) determines the overall care needs of frail older people (70+) and assists them to access the most appropriate types of services. ACAS:
• comprehensively assess older people taking account of their restorative, physical, medical, psychological, cultural and social needs,
• involve clients, their carers, and service providers in the assessment and care planning process,
• provide access to case managed packages of care for people with complex needs,
• provide approval for Commonwealth funded aged residential and respite care
St Vincent’s ACAS catchment area includes City of
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Chronic Disease Management
Healthwise seminar - Type 2 Diabetes
The State Library of Victoria in collaboration with Melbourne Health is
running an information seminar on Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes is
New and improved online shop
The Diabetes
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Continuing Professional Development
Term 2 GP Lecture Program
Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the
Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor,
May 25 - Hearing Loss & Tinnitus - Mr David Marty
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
Austin Health - Division
of Medicine Grand Round
“Back to
the Future” - Physician Education - Assessment and Exams presented by Stephen
Warrillow, Doug Johnson, Scott Patterson
Wednesday 26th May, 12:30pm
at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4,
Focus on Eyes
Recognition and Management of Common and Emergency Eye Conditions. Tuesday
25th May, 6pm for 6.30pm start at Staff Development Centre, Level 1,
Peter Howson Wing, Eye And Ear Hospital,
Toxicology Forum
Austin Health is presenting a Toxicology Forum on Friday 4th June from 9am - 1pm. The forum will be held in Lecture Theatre Level 4 Austin Tower. The forum is open to all FACEM's, EM Trainees, GPs, Pharmacists and other clinicians interested in toxicology. To find out more information and/or to RSVP (catering purposes) by 28th May contact Lynne.Stanley@austin.org.au.
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Information Management
Medical Director Tip - Updating to the most recent MD version
In the MD Downloads section of the HCN website the latest update is 3.11.2, but the latest upgrade to Medical Director 3 is 3.11.5 (but shown as 3.11.4). Like 3.11.2 this resolves a few issues (bugs?) such as printing pathology requests for those providers whose name includes a quotation mark. This update is found under the Pracsoft downloads section of the HCN website and may be needed even though you are not a Pracsoft user. This update is primarily a PracSoft update, providing changes to incentive items for the May 2010 MBS. It is also a cumulative Medical Director/PracSoft update, allowing one download for those practices that have not yet installed 3.11.1 and/or 3.11.2.
This weeks IM problem - Modifying current medication display
Question: If I include the list of medications in my letters to other doctors, the top line always appears (Drug name/Strength/Dosage/Reason/Last script). It makes it look rather untidy, and I spend some time removing unwanted columns from the letter before I print them.
Is there anything I can do to my template so that this line does not appear on top of the medication list? Or at least, remove the “Reason” and “Last script” parts?
Answer: You can change the number of columns that appear in the medication list so that only 3 appear as in the example below.
Current Medications:
|
Drug Name |
Strength |
Dosage |
|
AVAPRO HCT 150/12.5 Tablet |
150mg/12.5mg |
1 daily c.c. |
|
CALTRATE Tablet |
1,500mg (600mg Ca) |
|
This is much “tidier” – the headings remain but you get rid of several columns.
1. Open LetterWriter and from the File menu select Modify template and select your referral template.
2. Right click on the Medications field (<<Clinical Details:Medication List>>) and select Properties.
3. Deselect the appropriate columns – in your case Reason for Medication and last script.
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Items of Interest
Urology Outpatient appointment
Guidelines for referring your patients for a Urology Outpatient appointment at Austin Health are now available on Austin Health website under section For Healthcare Providers – GP Access Refer your Patients. A ‘Haematuria Checklist’ and 'Urology Referral Guidelines' for referring patients with lower urinary tract symptoms are both now available.
Do you want help with Care Planning & Health Assessments?
A professional service conducted by a Division 1 RN performing MBS Primary
Care Items for doctors local to the NEVDGP. Italian spoken. Call Glenda at
HEALTHPOWER on 0448 681 048 or email glendac@pbhealth.com.au
for further information.
Fact sheet for GPs on what Optometrists can do
Do you want to know what services Optometrists can provide or find a specialty optometrist in your area? A fact sheet for GPs on what Optometrists can do to help them provide Eye Care for their patients and how to find a local Optometrist is now available to be downloaded from the Optometrists Association Australia website.
GP Network News
This week’s edition includes: Health Budget 2010-11: how primary health fared; Kidney health awareness; Support Family Doctors.
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Mental Health
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
An introduction to assessment and treatment presented by The Anxiety Recovery Centre
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News for Practice Staff
Two Day Diabetes Update
Diabetes
17-18
June 2010, 9.30am–4.30pm at
Exciting News from the Federal Budget for General Practice Nurses
The
The Federal Budget announcement around investing in Primary Care Nursing is welcome. Every GP can now get a substantial subsidy of $25,000 to employ a nurse in general practice. We encourage nurses to enrol in the Certificate or Diploma of Primary Care Nursing course to enable them to expand their scope of practice. It has been developed by experienced practice nurses and general practitioners to suit the needs of busy practice nurses in areas (chronic disease management, quality systems and risk management, health promotion, women’s health, mental health and youth health) that will complement previous experience. Further details: www.gp.unimelb.edu.au or call Ms Bernie Cooper, course administrator on 03 8344 7275.
New Technology for the Progressive Practice
Saturday 19th June Professional Development Day hosted by Australian Association of Practice Managers. Practice Managers face a number of challenges when working in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. This program will provide you with information to ensure your practice has its own competitive edge and to provide high quality service to your clients. For more information and registration click here.
Managing the Symptoms of Menopause
Small Group Learning Session for
Practice Nurses – Topic: Guest speaker: Dr
Tuesday 22nd June, 6.30pm registrations 7:00 pm start at NEVDGP Board Room (map) Registrations (Flyer) For further information, please contact Wendy Reid or Janina De Silva
New UNE Partnerships Practice Manager Development Program for Divisions
There will be Certificate IV by
Workshops in Professional Practice Management in
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National Prescribing Service
NPS Audit update – COPD audit enrolments now open
Enrolments for the Management
of stable COPD and smoking cessation audit are now open. This is the second
out of three paper clinical audits available for the QPI year: 1 May
2010 – 30 April 2011. The remainder of the audits (another 3) will be in the e-Audit
format (all done online). Unlike many other audits GPs are being asked to
select only 10 patients who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), preferably current smokers. Best practice guidelines
will be used to review current patients, implement change and monitor their
progress. The use of spirometry in confirming a diagnosis, recording smoking
status and cessation strategies will all be looked at, along with the need for
introducing short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators. A COPD audit sample pack
can be viewed online at www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/activities
where you can also enrol. Enrolment
forms can also
be completed with your details and faxed back to NPS.
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Women’s Health
The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Click here for the GP
& HP Update May 2010.
Menorrhagia and Other Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
For GPs and other health professionals This session coveris key points and
management options of these common problems for women in 2010. Objectives are
to be aware of: the differential diagnosis of such problems; the options for
women; the benefits and limitations of these options. Speaker: Dr Catarina Ang, Gynaecologist and Head
Gynaecology Unit 1 RWH. Tuesday 1st June, 7.30-9.15 pm
(Light refreshments 7pm) at The Royal Women's Hospital:
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Positions vacant/wanted
Please note: only new ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other ads
can be found on the website
Positions vacant
Doctors
Camberwell/Burwood – General Practitioners wanted. Excellent
opportunities to join this well established practice which is ideally located.
Mon to Fri. Part time & Full time positions. Hours 9 am to 5.30 pm. Email: jobs@galaxymedicalrecruitment.com.au
or contact Galaxy Medical Recruitment on (03) 8720
7888.
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
North East After Hours GP Clinic - Austin Health is seeking an Expression
of Interest from General Practitioners who would like an opportunity to work casual
shifts in our clinic which is attached to the Austin Emergency dept. We offer
competitive rates and our opening hours are Monday to Friday 7pm – 11pm;
Saturday 2pm -8pm; Sunday 4pm – 10pm. To register your interest please contact
Hana Wellington – Practice Manager at hana.wellington@austin.org.au
or 03 94693627
Thornbury - F/T P/T VR GP or subsequent Trainee GP
required for a doctor owned practice established over 30 years. Fully
accreditated, computerised, purpose built clinic with your own consultation
room. Friendly and very professional working environment, with nurse
support. Excellent remuneration. Email eapostolopoulos@hotmail.com or
telephone Evelyn on 9484 7762
Practice
Staff
Thornbury - Medical receptionist required for part
time position in a busy fully computerised, accredited and long established
family medical practice. Hours to be negotiated. Work in a friendly supportive environment
with excellent remuneration. Email your resume and application letter to eapostolopoulos@hotmail.com or
contact Evelyn on 9484 7762.
Positions wanted
Lower Plenty/Ivanhoe area - Div 1 nurse looking to return to General
Practice part time – hours flexible. Experienced in wound m'ment, diabetes,
immunisation and emergency nursing. With pathology collection skills including
gases, ECG, paps. Contact Antonia on 9439 0652/0418 585
596.
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Humour
Dying lawyer
Two doctors in
"By the way, did you tell that lawyer in Ward 10 that he was going to die?"
"As a matter of fact I did. Why do you ask?"
"You bastard - I wanted to tell him!"
An amendment/correction to last week’s quotes:
“To do is to be” - Sartre, Jean-Paul
“To be is to do” - Immanuel Kant
“Do-be-do-be-do” - Sinatra, Frank
“Scooby Dooby Do”- Scooby Doo
“Yabba Dabba Doo!”- Fred Flintstone
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And remember…
…You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.