The 2021 RVTS Grand Round focussed on Dermatology with a round of “Stump the Chump” with living legend and well known QLD dermatologist, Associate Professor Jim Muir.  Various derm cases were presented to Jim to determine the diagnosis. Needless to say, Jim was spot on each time, and we all learned from his insights and discussion.

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Derm Grand Round Part 1

This month, in our final excerpt from the “Tropic Medicine” webinar, we look at Rickettsial Diseases with Prof McBride. This is part 3 in a 3 part series. We’ve discussed Melioidosis and Leptospirosis and Dengue Fever in the previous excerpts.

Tropical Medicine: Part 3

The first RVTS workshop of the year was held as a virtual event during April.  Registrars are located all over Australia, and were able to join the workshop from their homes or practices, joining in for high quality training without the risks of travel in our current climate.  The 3 day event for the 3 cohorts covered various topics including GP Emergencies, Dental Emergencies, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Palliative Care, Ophthalmology, Care Plans and more.

Virtual Orthopaedics: Plastering Skills

Dengue fever is not endemic in Australia, however, we do have mosquitoes that can spread the virus and outbreaks do occur due to imported cases.  Severe dengue (also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children.  Diagnosing it early and initiating supportive treatment can be life-saving.  It’s therefore worth reminding ourselves of this important tropical infection.

Tropical Medicine: Part 2

If you live in FN Queensland and a patient presents feeling unwell with a fever after a flood, on your differential list, you’d need to consider Melioidosis and Leptospirosis.  If you don’t actually live in northern Australia, you may feel you need to brush up on your knowledge of those 2 differentials. And you’re in luck... This month we listen in on a webinar excerpt with Professor John McBride who presented on the topic of “Tropical Medicine”. This is part 1 of a 3 part series, where Prof McBride discusses melioidosis and leptospirosis. 

Tropical Medicine: Part 1

RVTS Medical Educators (MEs) all share a passion for rural, remote, and Aboriginal Medical Services, registrar education, and supporting doctors on their General Practice journey. The ME team was recently interviewed, and each one was asked to identify something that would contribute to registrar success in general practice training in 2021.

Top Tips from RVTS Medical Educators

The 2021 training year has just begun at RVTS, and we’ve caught up with Dr Pat Giddings, RVTS CEO, GP and GP Obstetrician, to talk about the year that’s been and the year ahead.  Dr Giddings shares what he believes makes RVTS successful, and gives his “TOP TIP” for Registrars for 2021.

A Discussion with RVTS CEO

What a year it’s been.  As 2020 draws to a close, I will not even attempt to comment on what has been a most extraordinary year, except to say that we would like to salute the RVTS Registrars, supervisors and staff for their courage and perseverance, their passion and understanding, their strength and commitment and their support for each other.  We acknowledge the uncertainty and the sacrifices of 2020, in all its forms, and the character shown in overcoming every obstacle that has come your way.

2020: What a year it’s been!

As we observed NAIDOC Week in November, many RVTS registrars and staff used the opportunity to attend (mainly online) events to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  RVTS Acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and seas on which we live and work, and pays respect to elders: past, present and future.  Events during NAIDOC week remind us about our commitment to consider a First Nation perspective in all training activities at RVTS. As you may be aware, according to the strategic plan of RVTS, the purpose of RVTS is to improve Australian health by training and retaining medical practitioners working in Rural, Remote and First Nation communities by facilitating access to medical education and training in circumstances where it may otherwise not be possible, providing flexibility and innovation in meeting the medical training needs of diverse communities, and, as mentioned, to consider a First Nation perspective in everything we do.

Aboriginal Health

 “Rational pathology emanates from a rational doctor”.  Pathology is useful in assisting with coming to a diagnosis, monitoring patients and for screening.  Unnecessary tests can cause harm to patients and add significantly to health costs, so considering carefully what pathology we order is vitally important in General Practice. In this month’s post, we listen in on the discussion with Dr Mike Eaton during a webinar with some of the second year GP registrars.

Rational Pathology

We’re always looking for ways to be better GPs, and to improve our success in fellowship exams. We’ve previously discussed some tools… and here are 2 more: Random Case Analysis and Role Play. Role play and random case analysis can be used in training and as part of supervisor discussions, and can actually be quite fun, while mastering important skills. Choosing a random case and discussing it, considering the various competencies that were required in the consultation, and role playing to practice incorporating some suggestions can be a very beneficial exercise.

Tools to improve competency and exam success

Being brilliant at the basics will come in handy when there are no clinical pathways or algorithms that apply to the patient in front of you. This was the take home message from the second case at the 3rd annual RVTS Grand Round Webinar. 

A Case of Management Dilemma

RVTS recently hosted the 3rd annual RVTS Grand Round Webinar.  We were delighted to be joined by Art Nahill and Nic Szecket from IMReasoning, amongst others,  who discussed a case in the form of a “cognitive autopsy” - with all the benefits of hindsight.  The discussion highlights that diagnostic errors occur surprisingly commonly!

A Case of Diagnostic Error

Adolescents contribute significantly to society.  Their energy and passion add to the fabric of communities. As GPs, we have a unique role to play in adolescent health and health outcomes. This month, Dr Johanna Lynch shares some insights into considerations in adolescent mental health.

ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

The use of personal protective equipment is accepted for the high-risk environment of theatre, intensive care unit and on some hospital wards. But the role of the face mask is controversial in the community setting. Should general practitioners wear face masks? Should patients at high risk of serious outcomes from infection with COVID 19 wear a face mask? Is it necessary for the general population to wear a face-mask?

To Mask or not to mask

Distance education to GP registrars in Australia

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