Primary Health Care

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Procedural Grants

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The GPCE has applied for remote/ rural procedural grants in the follwing three topic areas:

1. Surgical
2. Emergency Medicine
3. Obstetric & Women's Health

1. Surgical

S9A Acute wound/trauma/burns MX
This presentation will look at the clinical Mx of trauma/burns situations in the metro & rural settings. It will cover the current & emerging techniques of wound care with details in specific areas, e.g. neuro & barotrauma. There will be discussion on the role of the GP in the service of trauma – triage & retrieval.

S11B BESITY Mx, options, & the role of surgery
This seminar will look at the Mx of obesity and the various options available & in particular the increasing role of bariatric surgery. In Australia, an estimated 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 & his experience.

WE
SUTURING 1 – Introductory: very basic and for the rusty attendees, including deep and jagged lacerations.
SUTURING 2 – Advanced: corner sutures and large wound closure, and biopsy techniques.

WE FLAP REPAIR FOR SKIN CANCER SURGERY
Principles of flap repair with an introduction to advancement flaps and angle sutures. This workshop will give you ample opportunity to practise these versatile flaps using pigs’ trotters and seek practical advice from experienced doctors where necessary

WI DERMOSCOPY for GPs
Basic dermoscopy using the 3 point checklist algorithm will be explored. Some of the advanced algorithms – Menzies technique, Stolz’s ABCD & 7 point checklist will be outlined.
Dermoscopy features of BCC, melanoma, Bowen’s SCC in situ, seborrhoeic keratosis and other common lesions will be reviewed. In addition, a segment will be devoted towards a choice of suitable demoscopes appropriate for a particular practice. This will explore issues of polarising versus non-polarising dermoscopy and handheld versus digital dermoscopy

WI WOUND Mx – acute, chronic, infected in young and elderly
Wound Mx is a common clinical scenario in GP, whether it be acute following trauma or chronic as is more common in the elderly – with venous leg ulcers. The type of wound dressing & Mx is important in promoting more rapid healing. This workshop will look at the Mx from the simplest to the more complicated infective & chronic wound. What to do, how to differentiate, what dressings (gel, foam, antimicrobial, impregnated etc.) and when to apply.

Click here to download the pre filled form for ALM C

2. Emergency Medicine

S2A ANAPHYLAXIS & ACUTE ASTHMA
Patients with acute resuscitative anaphylaxis and other reactive airways disease can present at any time. This seminar will cover the latest theory & techniques in the Mx of acute hypersensitivity, as well as new techniques for managing acute asthma.

S6A EMERGENCY MEDICINE: seizure syncope & sudden collapse
Conditions that result in a patient’s loss of consciousness require a rigorous evidence-based approach to DD & Mx. Inappropriate disposition of some patient subgroups can result in significant morbidity & mortality. This seminar will cover the acute Mx of these patient groups as well as provide approaches to the investigation & disposition of patients presenting with episodes of altered conscious state.

S9A ACUTE WOUND/TRAUMA/BURNS Mx
This presentation will look at the clinical Mx of trauma/burns situations in the metro & rural settings. It will cover the current & emerging techniques of wound care with details in specific areas, e.g. neuro & barotrauma. There will be discussion on the role of the GP in the service of trauma – triage & retrieval.

WD EMERGENCY MEDICINE
1. Airway – Basic and Advanced
This is a one hour hands on workshop with the following stations: basic bag valve mask ventilation – use of the ventilation bag & basic mask skill; use of laryngeal mask – use of the ventilating – non-airway protecting laryngeal mask; intubating laryngeal mask – conversion of a non-protected to a protected airway; basic Intubation; the surgical airway – use of pigs tracheas to teach a simple surgical cricothyrotomy technique used in life salvage.

2. I’ve got rhythm – simulation arrhythmia scenarios
The recognition & Mx of resuscitation scenarios involving arrhythmias. Arrhythmias covered will be: ventricular tachycardia; ventricular fibrillation; supraventricular tachycardia; third degree heart block. This workshop will involve the teaching & approach to a resuscitation of arrhythmia including drug therapy & defibrillation.

WG SPORTS MEDICINE – acute knee & ankle injuries
Common problems in both contact and non-contact sports & the more acute injuries in sports such as football, AFL, basketball and netball will be outlined in this workshop. Appropriate examination, findings and Mx options will be discussed.

WJ EMERGENCY MEDICINE – CPR
This course is designed for GPs and provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to make them confident & competent to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The course will cover Mx of the unconscious casualty, resuscitation techniques & infection control and you will be provided with Emergency First Aid: 'A Quick Guide booklet.' Participants receive a Statement of Attainment for the following units of competency:– 70104NT – Course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

WM OPHTHALMOLOGY 1
Update on common ocular emergencies & problems and their practical hands-on Mx, including appropriate examination. Topics will include the red eye, trauma, corneal ulcer, foreign bodies, pterygium, abrasion & acute glaucoma.

Click here to download the pre filled form for ALM D

ALM E Obstertric and Women's Health

S3B HSV AND HPV
This seminar will look at the clinical manifestations of genital herpes, both primary and recurrent; the differences between HSV1 and HSV2; implications of shedding, appropriate investigations and treatments. It will also look at the incidence of HPV in the community and clinical presentations, treatment and prevention.

S4A MISCARRIAGES & ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES – assessment & Rx
With abnormal vaginal bleeding the first step in DD is “Is she pregnant?”. This can easily be determined with a bHCG assay. If positive, determine whether the pregnancy is intrauterine, or could it be ectopic. Once the bHCG exceeds about 2000 IU/L, a transvaginal U/S scan should visualise intrauterine pregnancy. In the presence of a bHCG >2000, & an empty uterus, the DD of ectopic pregnancy has to be presumed, even though “no ectopic” can be seen. Once this DD is made, the decision is whether surgery is needed, whether methotrexate may be used, or watchful expectancy in case of a possible “tubal abortion”. Decision making is ruled by the clinical picture, & bHCG levels & how/if they are rising. In an intrauterine pregnancy, U/S is often helpful in establishing viability & this may need to be repeated at least 7 days later to assess viability/development. Miscarriages are classified as threatened, inevitable, incomplete & complete. These will be discussed during the seminar.

S14A PATHOLOGY TEST UPDATE for pregnant women & women with menstrual irregularities
This seminar will look at the recommended pathology tests for routine pregnancy and how they are interpreted. The possible use of some other more controversial tests will also be discussed. We will also review the useful investigations in women with menstrual irregularities as well as some of the pitfalls in their interpretation.

WK WOMEN’S HEALTH
1. Investigation of menstrual problems
Women commonly present to their GP with menstrual problems ranging from amenorrhoea to oligomenorrhoea to polymenorrhoea & this may be associated with perceived increase in menstrual blood loss (menorrhagia) and associated primary or secondary dysmenorrhoea. History & clinical examination will form the basis of the initial assessment followed by investigations that may include a haematological profile including clotting studies as well as endocrinological workup & ultrasound scan. Further invasive investigations may be required including diagnostic laparoscopy, hysteroscopy & endometrial sampling. The GP is ideally placed to assess women presenting with menstrual problems & organise the relevant investigations. Further Mx may require specialist referral.

2. Identification and treatment for polycystic ovaries
Polycystic ovaries – in approx. 20% of women – are the commonest cause of irregular periods in the reproductive age group. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the name given to a condition in which polycystic ovaries are associated with a number of other significant symptoms & signs. Investigation hinges on ultrasound scan assessment of the ovaries as well as gonadotrophin hormone assessment. Rx depends on the desired end point which may include menstrual regulation, pregnancy & therapy directed towards hirsutism & skin changes.

4.Techniques for GPs to maximise & preserve male & female fertility
Infertility affects 1 in 6 Australian couples. Now that IVF has become so successful, it is often forgotten how changes in lifestyle factors can be a very important first step towards improving a couple’s fertility. The increasing trend for women to conceive at an older age has put an extra burden on GPs to make sure referral for infertility Rx is not delayed. Finding a balance is often not easy. This workshop will provide an update on useful lifestyle interventions to improve fertility & simple algorithms to assist with the decision on when to refer for specialist advice.

5. Adolescent women’s health including contraception
The principle reason that adolescents visit their GPs with gynaecological or women’s health issues is menstrual problems or contraceptive advice. The absence of periods by the age of 16 needs to be investigated. Heavy and painful periods can often be managed by oral contraceptives, and there is no contra-indication to introducing these if indicated. Contraception for teenagers is usually best managed by hormonal methods. The “Double Dutch” method of using condoms in addition should be encouraged to decrease the risk of STI transmission.
The diagnosis of PCO should be considered in young women who present with acne. These women benefit from early advice on lifestyle, with respect to diet and exercise.

WP 2. COMMON STIs – testing and Mx
His interactive workshop will look at key points about STIs viz. chlamydia, HPV, syphilis & gonorrhoea – especially so since the incidence has been increasing in Victoria.

Click here to download the prefilled form for ALM E