News

College

Calling all international medical graduates/ overseas-trained doctors - would you like to share your story?

College Research Fellow Mel Pande is investigating the challenges faced by international medical graduates (IMGs) when adapting to working in general practice in New Zealand. The plan is to identify any barriers to educational, professional and cross-cultural adaptation.  Future IMGs and overseas-trained doctors (OTDs) may well benefit from your experiences. This is a qualitative study and will involve personal interviews (face-to-face and email interviews) with IMGs/OTDs and other key informants. Key criteria for participating in the study include having obtained your basic medical qualification outside of New Zealand, and being a Fellow of the College. If you would like to participate in this study or need more information, please contact Mel on: mel.pande@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Applications now open for Radius Research Registrars

A new GPEP2 pathway will be available in 2009, designed to foster general practice research. Radius Medical group and the College present this special opportunity for participants in GPEP2 who are interested in developing general practice research competencies. The Radius Research Registrar programme will be offered in selected practices in the Radius Medical group, combining 4 /10 clinical general practice work, 4/10 general practice research, and 2/10 academic study in an approved post graduate general practice programme (small variations to these proportions are negotiable). The position is available in the following locations: New Lynn, Mangere, Whakatane, Hastings, Palmerston North, Upper Hutt, Masterton.

For more information or to apply, please go to Radius Medical’s jobsite or go to www.bFound.net/J63981. You have a year: applications don't close until 1 September 2009.

Choice, and choice prizes
Just a reminder on the College subscriptions front: you get to choose. Either return the form in the prepaid envelope which was provided in the College subscriptions mail out, or take our new option and pay them online (click here). Instructions on how to handle online payments are found in the subscriptions mailout. Pay your subs (either online or by mail) and complete the short survey before 28 August, and you’ll go into a draw to win one of five registrations to the 2009 College Conference - plus two nights accommodation!

IT Risk management draft online

The College has released a draft IT Risk Management resource for general practice. Written with the staff and GPs of practices in mind, the document is intended to provide guidelines on how to manage and operate a secure computer practice, including handling of electronic patient records. You can find it here (click here). Any comments and feedback can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz  This resource is currently available as a PDF document, but the College is considering making it available in Wiki format. We’d be interested in hearing whether you think this is a good idea.

Sector

Influenza vaccine update  

The total number of influenza vaccine doses distributed in New Zealand throughout the 2008 influenza season was up 1.5% on the 2007 season. The total number of doses distributed during the March to June 30 period during which the influenza vaccine was subsidized, ran to 756,750 this year, compared to 745,189 for the 2007 season. National Influenza Strategy Group chair Anna-Marie Frost said that a promotional campaign seemed to have spurred people to see their GP early in the season, but the early rush had not been sustained.

Nursing Council guidelines on delegating

The NZ Nursing Council has released its guideline Direction and Delegation. The aim is to help both nurses and employees understand nurses’ responsibilities when directing and delegating to enrolled nurses, nurse assistants and unregulated health care workers. The updated 33-page guideline includes a flowchart outlining how a registered nurse can decide when delegation should not occur. Though intended for use in a variety of health care settings, the document acknowledges on page one that during feedback, “a significant number of responses” indicated that the guideline “would not be readily implemented in some non-acute settings”. The Council has decided to release the rewritten guideline as an interim document, and review it after further thinking and consultation. Find it here: http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/

Eyes centre
The new research centre which opened last week at Auckland University will become a national centre for clinical trials related to eye and vision care. The New Zealand National Eye Centre (NZ-NEC) brings together clinicians and scientists in the fields of ophthalmology, optometry, eye health and vision science. As well as a range of collaborative research and being a base for assessing rare ocular disease, the new centre will also be used to teach undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers and professional education programmes. The hope is that NZ-NEC will become a leading world centre for vision research and education.

A mixed platter of innovation
Research on health innovations and emerging new technologies are the meal on offer in Scanning the Horizon, whose second issue recently appeared on the Ministry of Health website. The newsletter provides brief research summaries, grouped together by topic, which link through to studies local and international. Aside from a special section on nursing, the July issue also mentions an evaluation of a telemedicine system used to link clinicians at distant locations (said to utilize similar technology soon to be piloted on the West Coast), three overseas studies examining a range of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination programmes, a maternal self-report of oral health in young Pacific children in South Auckland, and an overview of cancer control strategies. Note: some links require a subscription in order to access the full article. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/horizonscanning-july08

Campaigning to reach 15 by 2015
Seven health and family doctor organizations around the world have teamed up to launch an ambitious campaign, aimed at getting major global health donors to allocate 15% of all their grants towards strengthening primary health care systems. The argument is that it makes more sense that some of the aid currently allocated towards disease-specific projects systems in developing countries be invested in strengthening local primary health care.  The campaign organizers believe that disease-specific projects cause an inbalance both in quality of care and demand for local health care workers. There is not enough space in this issue to list all the organizations involved in the campaign, and the many organizations in their sights, but you can find out more – and sign the petition - at: http://www.15by2015.org/

Advisory - Caution advised in use of medicines containing Heparin

Medsafe have asked us to pass on information concerning medicine and medical devices containing Heparin. Health practitioners should remain alert to the possibility of adverse events, and promptly report any adverse reactions that appear to be associated with medicines or medical devices containing heparin, or low molecular weight heparin.

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Consultation

Sector

New and closing soon: this Friday 8 August

Insecticide under review
Following tightened restrictions overseas, the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA) is considering increasing restrictions on the insecticide Endosulfan, with submissions closing this Friday. Endosulfan is an organochloride, with similarities to DDT. These persistent organochlorides may remain in the environment for many years. There is evidence that Endosulfan causes delays in sexual development in boys, and enhancement of breast cancer cell lines in culture.  It is a potent neurotoxin causing neurological irritability and is highly toxic, with an LD50 of 35mg/kg. If you are interested in contributing on this issue, you could email Dr Elizabeth Harris at elizabeth.eccles@xtra.co.nz to look at her draft submission. Or else you can make one at

http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/news-events/archives/media-releases/2008/mr-20080627.html\

New and closing soon: next Wednesday 13 August

Pharmac double-bill: Breast cancer and PKU
Pharmac is proposing funding changes for aromatase inhibitors, which lower amounts of estrogen. Under the proposal patients with hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer who are already on Armidex and Femara, would be able to continue fully funded treatment. However for new patients with advanced disease the only fully funded brand of anastrozole would be the Douglas Pharmaceuticals brand. Further details available at http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/07/30/Proposal%20to%20list%20DP-Anastrozole%20and%20amend%20the%20Special%20Authority%20criteria.pdf

Pharmac is also proposing to fund Lophlex LQ, an amino acid supplement for phenoylketonuria patients. Find more details at http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/08/01/Proposal%20to%20fund%20a%20new%20supplement%20for%20inborn%20errors%20of%20metabolism%20-%20PKU.pdf

Closing soon: Friday 8 August

Pharmac 2: Scripts
Pharmac is proposing to amend the authority form, and rules around pharmacist substitutions with an alternative subsidised listed brand. Under the change, the authority would cover the situation where such substitution resulted in increased cost to the DHB. A separate rule change would allow pharmacists to alter the quantity of a medication dispensed. The College intends making a submission that the proposed wording be amended, to clarify that in such situations the length of the course of medication must not be changed. The consultation is found at http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/consultation Please send feedback to  policy@rnzcgp.org.nz

Closing soon: Friday 8 August  

Pharmac 3: Respiratory devices

The week's final Pharmac consult involves giving sole supplier status to the company Air Flow Products for peak flow meters, masks  and most spacers, for the next 3 years. Under the proposal, standard spacers would be non-autoclavable. However by annotating the wholesale supply order, a funded autoclavable version could still be obtained. More details here:  

http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/07/18/Proposal%20for%20sole%20supply%20arrangement%20for%20respiratory%20devices.pdf

Closing: 15 August

Comment sought on 2008 Flu Vaccination Campaign
Jenny Visser is the College representative on the National Influenza Strategy Advisory Group. Currently the group are looking to plan the 2009 flu vaccination campaign, and would like feedback on how the 2008 campaign went, to assist in the planning.  If you would like to send any comments on:

a) the media campaign
b) the usefulness of the resources sent to practices
c) the practicalities of recalling/targeting patients
d) ordering and receiving of the vaccine
e) any other comments you wish to make

please send them to Jenny at jenny.visser@otago.ac.nz or call 027 2956 444.

Closing: 18 August
Human tissue consult
Standards NZ has released a draft standard for the non-therapeutic use of human tissue. The Standard would ensure that where a person or their family/whanau has given consent to the use of human tissue for non-therapeutic purposes (for example research or education) correct processes are followed for collection, storage, use and disposal of tissue. The standard would allow such processes to be regulated in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Human Tissue Act 2008, and agreed acceptable practice. Again the College will be making a submission - so please send any thoughts at policy@rnzcgp.org.nz The draft standard can be found here: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/humantissue-standard

Closing 31 August
Disruptive behaviour by doctors

Disruptive behaviour can include bullying, sexual harassment, racial slurs and passive aggression. The Medical Council have released their revised guidelines for Managing Disruptive Behaviour, defining it as “a chronic and repetitive pattern of inappropriate behaviour that adversely affects the effective functioning of other staff and teams”. The seven-page document suggests some strategies for dealing with disruptive behaviour in doctors. The College will be making a submission, and welcomes your thoughts at policy@rnzcgp.org.nz  Find the draft guidelines at: http://www.mcnz.org.nz/News/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Closing 8 September
Security standards proposed for electronic healthcare systems
HISO has released a framework aimed at ensuring health information is stored and shared in a way that ensures confidentiality. The Health Information Standards Organisation seeks feedback on the first stages of its Authentication and Security Framework, which deals with information held and transferred using electronic healthcare systems. The intention was to design a standard that is practical and understandable, by concentrating on essentials that can be followed by “everyone from the sole practitioner to the large healthcare provider”.  HISO is keen to hear if the framework is easily understood by small organisations with little background in security, and whether it should be labelled as a guide or a standard. The College will be making a submission, and welcomes feedback on policy@rnzcgp.org.nz The framework documents can be found at:  http://www.hisac.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7442

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Wonca Daily Alerts

Journal Watch

• Dimebon of benefit in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

• Outdoor activity suffices for vitamin D in elderly

• Statin use not associated with overall prostate cancer risk

• Adjuvant pegylated interferon alfa-2b for stage III melanoma has a small sustained effect on recurrence-free survival

• Two mm thick SCCs are a higher metastatic risk

• Practice prevents ED

• Bacterial conjunctivitis: A review for internists

• 12 Guides to Health, Happiness, and Longevity

CME

Easy as, to go BMJ Online
Check out some of the finest online CME in the world at BMJ Online, now available to you free through the College. In order to gain access to BMJ Learning, you will need a keycode. To get this code, send us an email to bmj@rnzcgp.org.nz. The email should contain your name, your College membership number and/or your NZ Medical Council number. Once we have received your email, we will send you the access code and instructions of how to join the BMJ learning service as soon as possible. Working in conjunction with the British Medical Journal, BMJ Learning offers a range of learning resources which deal with everyday issues in primary care, general practice and hospital medicine. BMJ learning currently offers over 500 evidence-based learning modules, which are regularly updated.

Pharmac Seminars - Mouths, Cardiology and STIs
Spaces still remain on a number of upcoming Pharmac seminars. For the $112 cost, Pharmac will look at flying attendees to Wellington, feeding them and paying accommodation. And we haven’t even told you about the topics yet. The seminars are endorsed by the College, and attendance can be credited towards CME points. Each seminar runs 9am - 4.30pm.

Open That Mouth!(Everything you wanted to know about mouths and gums)
18 August, Presenters: the College’s own Jacqui Virtue + Pharmacy, ENT & Dental speakers 

Current Themes in Cardiology (Common cardiovascular conditions)
16 September 2008, presenters: Norman Sharpe & Cardiology colleagues

Update on STIs, Including During Pregnancy (including best practice and current screening policies)
30 September, presenters Sue Pullon (director of the seminar series) & colleagues

For queries, contact Kyle Reid at 04 916 7561 or kyle.reid@pharmac.govt.nz

Or try the website: http://www.seminarseries.pharmac.govt.nz/seminars.php

Managing Sexual Problems for Medical Practitioners
An evidence-based up-to-date online training programme specifically designed for GPs and approved by RNZCGP for 12 hours CME.

• Download in writing to produce a surgery reference
• Download in audio form to listen to as you travel to work and back
• Access all three forms for the same cost, plus make the most of email access to ask tutor Clinical Psychologist Robyn Salisbury, director of Sex Therapy NZ about your patients’ sexual dysfunctions.
  Enquiries: admin@sextherapy.co.nz or ph 0800 739843 (0800 sextherapy) or register on http://www.sextherapy.co.nz

Palliative Care CME meeting - The assessment and treatment of anxiety in the palliative care setting

12 August, 7.30 -9pm, South Auckland Hospice, 140 Charles Prevost Dr, Manurewa, Auckland
Cost - Free. For all interested health professionals
RSVP to South Auckland Hospice on 09/ 268 8260

Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care: Marylene Cloitre Ph.D. – Psychotherapy for the Interrupted Life: Treating Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
20 October - Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, 58 Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland
22 October - Mercure Hotel Willis Street, 355 Willis Street, Wellington
24 October - Holiday Inn City Centre, corner of Cashel & High Streets, Christchurch.
These seminars are for all clinicians working with PTSD clients who have experienced childhood interpersonal violence/abuse and repeated victimisation. Attendees will become familiar with:

• The theoretical basis of the treatment in developmental theory
• Skills training interventions for emotional regulation and interpersonal functioning for complex trauma
• Narrative processing interventions for complex trauma.

For details contact Meagan Kerr at DSAC; Phone: +64 9 376 1422, Fax: +64 9 376 0790

Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care: Ellert Nijenhuis, Ph.D. – Dissociation of the Personality and Childhood Traumatization: Theory, Research & Treatment
13 & 14 February 2009 - Auckland
18 & 19 February - Wellington
23 & 24 February - Christchurch
Dr Nijenhuis grapples with some of the most complex and perplexing phenomena that therapists are likely to encounter. His work provides a unifying theory that identifies a disturbance of the self as the core problem for the whole spectrum of trauma related disorders. This theory is then closely linked to a highly sophisticated understanding of assessment and treatment.

For details contact Meagan Kerr at DSAC; Phone: +64 9 376 1422, Fax: +64 9 376 0790

University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Primary Care and General Practice
Long-term Conditions Management Course (GENX709)
This course is now fully subscribed, but will be offered again February 2009.

For further details contact Jo Meaclem

Conferences

RNZCGP Conferences Page

WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference combined with RACGP 51st Annual Scientific Convention
2–5 October, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Note: Early bird registration closes Wednesday 6 August

Hosted by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Family doctors, general practitioners and all those interested in the practice of family medicine are invited to Melbourne, Australia for the WONCA 2008 Asia Pacific Regional Conference combined with the RACGP 51st Annual Scientific Convention 1–5 October 2008. Our conference theme, ‘A celebration of diversity’ explores the wide ranging, all encompassing nature of our profession in providing primary care to our patients, communities and nations. Come and participate in a high quality professional program in first class conference facilities. Cosmopolitan Melbourne offers a unique international mix, reflected in the diversity of food, cultures, languages and lifestyles
Contact details: The Meeting Planners
Phone: +61 2 9285 0890 (international)  1300 199 691 (within Australia)
Fax: +61 2 9275 0880 Email: wonca2008@meetingplanners.com.au Website: www.wonca2008.com

9^th International Mental Health Conference
14-16 August, Holiday Inn, Gold Coast, Australia

Managing the Psychologically-injured worker - research, knowledge and practice.
Conference Website: http://www.gcimh.com.au/conference/

The conference is run by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. This year’s theme is holistic respiratory care and will focus on caring for New Zealanders of all ages who have respiratory disease. Keynote speeches will include: ‘smokefree Aotearoa: Maori success and strategies’ and ‘genetic factors underlying COPD and lung cancer’. Concurrent sessions will include ones on sleep apnoea, care of the child with eczema and palliative care.

For a summary of daily activity and registration form, go to: http://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/_8.php.

NZ College of Appearance Medicine 2008 Conference
28 -30 August, Millennium Hotel, Queenstown

The conference theme will be Back to Basics, with a strong emphasis on practical skills. The workshop-orented programme covers the broad range of Appearance Medicine modalities.

Contact details: Conference Innovators

Website: www.nzcam.co.nz

Phone: 09 525 2464
Fax: 09 525 2465

Annual Conference of the New Zealand Psychological Society
29 - 31 August, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch
Conference theme Wellbeing: Individual, Organisational, Community has a focus on the cultural, psychosocial and physical wellbeing of people as members of families/whanau, communities, organisations and society. Enquiries: Conference@psychology.org.nz
For further information about submissions, programme details and registrations visit our website www.psychology.org.nz

Advancing Best Practice - The Wakefield Hospital 2008 Frontiers of Medicine and Surgery Conference
19 - 20 September, Duxton Hotel, Wellington.

Keynote Speakers, mini-reviews and workshops, covering extensive subjects relevant to general practice throughout NZ, plus networking opportunities for you to connect with colleagues and friends. The College of Gps will award 1 x CME Point for each educational hour attended at this conference, with a maximum of 20 points available. 

For information go to http://www.wakefield.co.nz/gp_conference.php  , call 04 494 5121, or email: Conference Organiser

‘Cradle to Grave’ - RACGP North Queensland Sub-Faculty AGM Conference
13 - 14 September Townsville, Australia
Fancy a winter break at a wonderful time of year in the tropics? Townsville in North Queensland is great place for winter holiday, a larger city than Cairns with plenty to do and see. Available will be a choice of topics around child health (learning disabilities, ADHD, adolescent mental health) emergency medicine (dive and hyperbaric emergencies, paediatric emergencies) and aged care (Chronic pain management, palliation in aged care, movement disorders) and much much more.

For details visit http://www.racgp.org.au/nthqld or email simone.flavelle@racgp.org.au Phone +61 7 47815941

Keeping Real Life in Mind – Royal Australian & NZ College of Psychiatrists Conference

22 – 25 October 2008, Rutherford Hotel Nelson  

A range of speakers, workshops and presentations will be exploring the conference theme. Amongst the topics covered: the challenges of applying research evidence to the patients we see, adapting primarily urban models of care to rural and remote areas, and applying new therapies, for example mindfulness.

Plus the conference times in with this year’s Nelson Arts Festival! Register at

http://ranzcp.tcc.co.nz  or telephone 03 3652217.

Melanoma Conference
13-14 November, Holiday Inn, 75 Featherston St, Wellington
Featuring:
• Launch of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand
• Sessions on latest trends and developments – from prevention to treatment and care
• Focus on strengthening networks and leadership in melanoma control in New Zealand.
For further information or to register interest, contact Susie Greene, Health Sponsorship Council, Ph 04 472 5777.

Sixth Greek Legal and Medical Conference - Masterclass 2008
15 November

Melbourne Australia - Windsor Hotel
Contact: Eugenia Mitrakas
Tel: +61396902033 Fax: +613 9696 2937
Email: eugenia@greekconference.com.au Website: www.greekconference.com.au

Australasian Tuberculosis Conference
27-29 November, Hilton Hotel, Auckland

The executive committee of the Auckland Tuberculosis Control Programme is convening the conference. Dr Sue Etkind, Director of Public Health in Massachusetts, will share her US perspective of TB, with a particular focus on contact tracing. Dr Pieter Marren, the Regional Advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO, Western Pacific Region) will update us about important TB projects being undertaken in the Pacific region. A research team from Otago University, headed by Dr Mona Syhre will present their findings around “giant TB sniffer rats” from Gambia, West Africa.

The Saturday 29 November programme will be especially tailored around Primary Health Organisations, and their multi-disciplinary staff.

Contact, Lynda Booth, Conference Manager , Ph +64 9 917 3653.