Filling out certificates seems to constitute an increasing part of a GP's job. The variety and sheer number of different forms to be familiar with can be difficult for GP registrars starting out in General Practice in Australia. Certificate completion requiring a degree of urgency, can occur unexpectedly in the middle of an already busy day. Certificates can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if you are not exactly sure what your obligations are, and what you can and cannot write!!
In this episode, in response to questions from our GP registrars, we explore the issue of writing "Life Extinct" and "Cause of Death" certificates. We dived into the webinar archive and have combined edited excerpts from two different webinars.
The first half of this episode is taken from a webinar from 2019, presented by one of our very own medical educators, Dr Mike Eaton. This part covers “Life extinct” and “Death certificates” and what you can get paid for!
The second half, ( from 11:41 ) contains edited excerpts from a recent 2023 webinar given by two Medico-legal Advisers with MDA National, Dr Libby Harris and Dr Julian Walter. They presented a webinar for our first-year registrars looking at many common medicolegal problems that GP’s face, and this excerpt about Death Certificates has been extracted from that presentation.
To maintain privacy and full participation by registrars in our webinars, all comments made and questions raised by registrars during these webinars, have been fully edited out.
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Have a great day!
Dr Meryl Nicol
In this fourth and final episode from our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the views of an RVTS Board member and experienced rural GP and Public Health practitioner, Dr Jacki Mein. Dr Jacki discusses teamwork, workforce shortages and rural generalism.
RVTS 2023 Grand Round Series: Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart. Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Health, shedding light on specific barriers they faced to working in rural health, along with the positives of working in a rural community that have encouraged them to stay.
This ends our series of four short excerpts from the RVTS Grand Round 2023.
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In this third episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the experiences of one of our dedicated RVTS supervisors, Dr Akil Islam. His journey into rural health was via a rurally bonded medical student scheme for Australian medical graduates. His experiences highlight the joys and challenges of living and working rurally in General Practice in Far North Queensland and discusses motivation, fatigue, health advocacy and ethics.
RVTS 2023 Grand Round Series: Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart. Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Health, shedding light on specific barriers they faced to working in rural health, along with the positives of working in a rural community that have encouraged them to stay.
This is the third of four episodes.
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In this second episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt highlighting the experiences of Dr Thilan Walgamuge , a previous RVTS registrar, now a fellow of the RACGP, General Practice owner and regional business award winner. Dr Thilan highlights some very practical aspects of what could make it easier for people to settle and work as a GP in rural areas and some of the many challenges of running a practice in an environment of continual work-force shortage.
Dr Thilan also shares his journey transitioning from being a hospital specialist overseas to working in Australia in General Practice as an International Medical Graduate ( IMG ), also known as an Overseas-trained Doctor in Australia.
This is the second of four episodes in this 2023 Grand Round Series.
RVTS 2023 Grand Round Series: Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart. Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Health, shedding light on specific barriers they faced to working in rural health, along with the positives of working in a rural community that have encouraged them to stay.
Please like and subscribe so you don't miss out on the other episodes in this series and other educational content.
Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart. Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Health, shedding light on specific barriers they faced to working in rural health, along with the positives of working in a rural community that have encouraged them to stay.
The dialogue delved into the obstacles of rural workforce and potential strategies to address them. Given the RVTS team's extensive expertise in retaining rural workforce, the 2023 Grand Round provided a treasure trove of practical insights and real-world concerns.
In this episode we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the experiences of Dr Emmon Raza Mubbashir, a recent RVTS registrar, now a fellow of the RACGP. We hear about her journey into rural health as an International Medical Graduate ( IMG ) also known as an Overseas-trained Doctor in Australia.
This is the first of four episodes in this 2023 Grand Round Series.
Please like and subscribe so you don’t miss out on further episodes and other educational content.
Hypotheticals: The Near Misses that haunt us all - Part 1
“To err is human” and as GP’s, we all make mistakes. In this excerpt taken from our recent Grand Round 2022, we look at the mistakes that we make and look at some key strategies for managing those difficult situations and tips for how to prevent them. It is run in a “hypothetical “ manner where we look at a case and hear from a panel of experts as to what they would do and how they would respond.
On the panel are Dr George Cerchez, a GP experienced in the fields of quality, safety and accreditation, Ruanne Brell, a senior lawyer with Avant, and Dr Ameeta Patel, a Medical Educator with RVTS with an interest in doctors health and wellbeing.
In Part one, we hear about a case of a missed investigation result and what could or should have happened, as well as discussing the issue of open disclosure.
( Apology: As this episode was originally presented online with powerpoint, there is a small section ( 3-4 mins ) of this podcast that isn't ideal as you are missing some information about the fictional medical record. The link to the video version is here )
Resources that may be of interest to you:
“To err is human” and as GP’s, we all make mistakes. This is Part two in a two part series from our recent Grand Round 2022, where we look at the mistakes that we make and look at some key strategies for managing those difficult situations and tips for how to prevent them. It is run in a “hypothetical “ manner, where we discuss a case and hear from our panel of experts
Dr George Cerchez, a GP experienced in the fields of quality, safety and accreditation, Ruanne Brell, a senior lawyer with Avant, and Dr Ameeta Patel, a Medical Educator with RVTS with an interest in doctors health and wellbeing.
In this excerpt, we hear about a solo doctor in a small town making a mistake by giving a child an antibiotic that they had an allergy to. We discuss small town issues, team dynamics, getting away from a “dobbing-in” culture, the normalisation of deviance and lots more!!
We strongly recommend you listen to Part one before listening to Part two!
Resources that may be of interest to you:
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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!
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.