There are certain presentations we see commonly as GPs. At this time of the year, with new GP Registrars starting training, we know that the common can seem daunting to those new to general practice, and that common presentations have common pitfalls. 

In this webinar excerpt from a few years ago, I discuss some common presentations with Meryl Nicol, a previous RVTS Registrar, now one of the Medical Educator team.

2021 was another challenging year! Yet here we are on the other side, stronger than before.

 Looking back at the year that’s been:

 COVID hasn't stopped us from keeping everyone engaged.  Webinars, online activities and resources, and teleCTVs supported registrars in training, along with the usual remote supervision and support from the admin and education teams.

Following on from Part 1 of the RVTS Grand Round : Derm “Stump the Chump” with Associate Professor Jim Muir, we present Case 2 from the webinar earlier this year.

In this case, Jim again correctly identifies the case presented, gives a useful list of differentials, and discusses the investigations recommended for a patient presenting with a itchy, scaly, patchy erythematous rash.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

 “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.

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. 

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!

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?

We’ve reached May in a year that will certainly go down in history!

It’s been a tough year to be a GP in Australia with many challenges indeed!

How are you coping? How are you looking after yourself?

This month, 2 of our RVTS registrars, Leigh-Anne Bingham and Jeni Davila Mendez, discuss self care. Leigh-Ann and Jeni give some specific advice on how to do this during a pandemic.

I don’t have to tell you that much has happened in the last month since our last post!

COVID-19 is front and centre stage.

Today we’re focussing on video or teleconferencing skills.

Many resources are already available to support GPs in this new consultation style.

We will be focussing on the actual consultation process.

Do research papers and different research models confuse you? Do you struggle to understand research in general practice? Have you wondered why and when different research methods are used? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in the right place! Dr Louise Stone shares her wisdom about research during this webinar excerpt to GP registrars in a very understandable way, using practical examples to gain insight into the when, where, why and how of research in General Practice.

2019 has come to an end, and we’re in that reflective mood, as is common at this time of the year :)

The last 12 months have been jam-packed: and while we’re enjoying a brief lull in proceedings, we’ve been reflecting…

As GP’s we all manage musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. Most of us will only see recreational athletes, while our presenter for this month’s post, Dr Corey Cunningham, sees professional and elite athletes. The principals are the same, and as GPs we can give advice, and investigate and manage most injuries. Sometimes, though, specialist opinion is required.

Genetics is gaining prominence as time goes by, and as GPs, we need to keep up with the developments so that we can use the latest knowledge to our patient’s advantage, and also answer questions that may come our way (either from our patients or in exams!)

In this month’s webinar excerpt, we listen in on Dr Linda Mann’s webinar for a great overview of some of the issues and new tests that are around.

This month’s webinar excerpt is essential listening - an honest, realistic and practical look at GP self care. We listen in on the discussion led by Dr Louise Stone, a GP who practices in Yarralumla (ACT). Dr Stone is a clinical Associate Professor at the Academic Unit of General Practice at ANU Medical School, and she  gives valuable insight into how to survive and thrive as a GP,  sharing many pearls of wisdom.

We’re excited to share this special edition of RVTS4GPs with you, featuring the recording of the recent 2019 RVTS Grand Round "Stump the Chump" with Dr Casey Parker. 

The case presented is a 16 year old girl who comes in with her Aunty. Casey is asked to unravel the puzzle.

Dr Casey Parker is based in Broome in WA and is well known for his blog and podcast broomedocs.com. He discusses various aspects of this case that need to be considered, with input from Marlene Drysdale (RVTS's Cultural Educator) and Dr Jacki Mein (a previous RVTS registrar based in Cairns).

It was a challenging case, with an interesting discussion, and plenty of learning points.