Session Synopses

The role of Gabanoids in acute and chronic pain management
Anticonvulsants have always played a role in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. The gabapenoids gabapentin and pregabalin have not only become the preferred compounds for this indication, but are increasingly seen as an important component of the multimodal treatment of acute pain. Dr Eric Visser

Chronic kidney disease update - using eGFR and managing CKD effectivley
This presentation will discuss eGFR interpretation - when to use it and when not to use; CKD in the elderly - when does it matter and how to manage; drug dosing in people with CKD - can you use eGFR; and action plans for anaemia and calcium/phosphate/bone disease in CKD stages 3 and 4. Dr Harry Moody

Melanoma and Litigation
Melanoma is a high profile but relatively low frequency condition in general practice. What stage in the consultation represents a danger time for missing a melanoma? Where do punch biopsies fit into the clinical guidelines? When is using a dermatoscope a risk? What interferes with follow-up? How can GPs help pathologists? Are pathology reports infallible? What is wrong with annual review of the site of excision of a melanoma? Dr Paul Nisselle

Diet and the Metabolic Syndrome
The seminar aims to clarify the science behind dietary intake and its association with the metabolic syndrome (the deadly quartet of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance and abdominal obesity) and provide practical advice on how to provide dietary advice to your patient population. Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos

Dermoscopy for gp - accurate skin cancer diagnosis
Skin cancer is increasing in incidence and prevalence in Australia. Accurate diagnosis is important, especially to avoid unnecessary excision and related precedures. Dermoscopy is an excellent tool to augment current methods of diagnosis. This program will focus on the use of hand-held dermatoscope, being used more by GP's, using the three point checklist. The three point checklist has been proven to be a sensitive tool for early diagnosis of pigmented skin lessions suspicious for skin cancer. Dr Damien Foong

Obesity Management, options, and the role of surgery: Where does bariatric surgery fit? 
In Australia, an estimatd 2.5 million adults were obese in 2004-05. If rates continue to soar, there could be as many as 7.2 million obese Australians by 2025. This seminar will look at the co-morbidities associated with obesity, who is suitable for bariatric surgery, long term weight loss results & the importance of a multidisciplinary bariatric team. Included will be an overview of statistics; a review of "real" patient case studies & results; and a video of a gastric band adjustment or surgery. You will listen to a patient and his experience. A/Prof Jeffrey Mark Hamdorf

Ageing Metabolic Function and the Genetic Code
Ageing is a universal process to all life forms. The most current and widely accepted definition for ageing in humans is that there is a progressive loss of function and energy production that is accompanied by decreasing fertility and increasing mortality with advancing age. The most obvious and commonly recognised consequence of ageing and energy decline is a decrease in skeletal muscle function which affects every aspect of human life from the ability to play games, walk and run to chew, swallow and digest food. There is hence a recognised overall decline of an individuals fitness for the environment that they occupy. In westernised countries this decline is gradual and the signs become mostly noticeable after the 5th decade of life and henceforth, where the individual slowly progresses to death over the next three to four decades. Given that the ageing process is slow and gradual, it presents with opportunities and options that may ameliorate and improve the overall functional capacity of the organism. Small changes in function may be more amenable and likely to further slow down and possibly reverse some of the deleterious effects of ageing, rather, than when the incremental changes are large. This overall effect may then translate into a significant compression of the deleterious aspects of human ageing with a resultant increase in human life expectancy. A/Prof Luis Vitetta

Breakfast Symposium - Hearing in General Practice
Hearing loss is the third most treatable condition. Early intervention leads to better outcomes for those affected. Untreated, it can have a significant impact on your patients' quality of life. It is important for the general practitioner to have a more informed understanding of hearing and hearing loss, and latest advances in high technology hearing devices. Linda Pfeiler