Next month we will be welcoming Professor Amanda Howe to the Conference for General Practice. Ahead of her appearance, we had a chat with Professor Howe about what we can expect from her keynote address at GP18.
1. What are you most looking forward to about the Conference for General Practice?
I find New Zealand a special place, and already know some people there - so I look forward to seeing old friends again, meeting new ones, helping the College with its mission to improve care for the New Zealand people, and being able to show my support for the GPs in NZ.
2. Can you tell us a bit about what you will be speaking about at the Conference?
My theme is about equity, and how GPs can reduce inequalities. There are major societal factors which influence health and illness: primary health care teams can make a real difference, but we have to understand how we can achieve equitable care. We also have to work beyond the consulting room - both to recognise the additional demands of engagement with the equity agenda, and to achieve a significant impact.
3. What are you hoping delegates will take away from your presentation?
A feel good factor - reminding you what you do every day that makes a real difference to people's lives; a challenge - reminding people of the hard work that is needed to make the equity challenge a reality; and a bigger picture - showing colleagues what the global needs are, and the ways we can work together to address the international agenda.
4. What do you see as the most pressing issue in the primary care environment? And what is one key action we could all take to work towards resolving this?
The big issue is to achieve accessible, affordable, good quality care that addresses all health needs in a person-centred way. This means a primary care team for every community with ongoing responsibility for all aspects of care. It means a finance package that minimises 'pay for service', which is a much greater deterrent for the poor than the better off. Finally, a trained GP on the frontline - every family needs a family doctor.
5. What else are you planning to do while you’re in NZ?
I have some political meetings in Wellington, and I hope to learn more about the situation in New Zealand. I'm also going on campervan outings to Rotorua to have fun.
Amanda Howe will be giving the keynote address at this year's Quality Symposium on 26 July. She will then be presenting an address titled Gender, geography and general practice - a global view on making health care more equitable at the GP18 conference. Prof Howe will also be part of a panel discussion on leadership challenges in primary care.
GP 18 takes place from 26 – 29 July at the Aotea Centre, Auckland.
Register now for GP18!