ePulse V12 number 13

Tuesday 9 March 2010

News from the President

• Extension of free seasonal influenza vaccine for children
• Journal of Primary Health Care (JPHC) out this week
• Christchurch Registrars evening
• New Expert Advisory Group Chairs
• NZRGPN conference
• Director-General to depart Ministry
• Last chance to win Forrest wine –feedback by Friday

Further News

• A quality and safety programme for maternity services
• RHM approval
• Guidelines for the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme
• Journal Watch

Consultation - Your Views Sought

Representation

Research

Vacancies and advertisements

CME

Conferences

News from the President

Extension of free seasonal influenza vaccine for children
After discussions with the College, the Minister of Health has decided to extend influenza vaccination for preschoolers to ensure that high risk children in all practices are eligible to receive free vaccination. General practices are now responsible for using clinical judgement to offer free vaccination to children who they consider are likely to get sicker than others if they get the flu. The factors that the College recommends you use in identifying such children include: Maori or Pacific ethnicity, being from areas of deprivation (quintile 5), living in crowded housing, requiring high use of primary and secondary care for recurrent illness, having respiratory conditions, being poorly nourished, or being exposed to passive smoking in the home. It is recommended that the parents of high risk children be contacted and the offer of free vaccination made.

Journal of Primary Health Care (JPHC) out this week
The latest edition of the JPHC has just been dispatched to members and other subscribers and is available online here. Highlights in this edition include: GP intervention for smoking cessation; barriers for Asians to accident compensation services; point of care testing in rural hospitals; the wahakura and the safe sleeping environment – reducing SIDS in Maori; folic acid – for and against mandatory fortification of bread.

Christchurch Registrars evening
Meeting the College’s enthusiastic Lower North Island registrars was a recent highlight for the Board. The College is holding a “welcome registrars” evening this week for first year registrars, returning registrars and other Canterbury Faculty members. In conjunction with Pegasus Health, who will host the event at 160 Bealey Ave, Christchurch. RSVP to Liz Walters: liz.walters@rnzcgp.org.nz or phone 04 496 5993.

New Expert Advisory Group Chairs
I am very pleased to announce the chairs of the College’s new Expert Advisory Groups (EAG). Dr Steven Lillis will chair the Education EAG; Dr Jane Burrell will chair the Professional Practice EAG. The two chairs will no work with the CEO to select the additional members. If you have an interest in being on either of these groups please email Sue Lister on Sue.Lister@rnzcgp.org.nz.

NZRGPN conference
The rural New Zealand Rural General Practice Network conference in Christchurch runs from Thursday through to Sunday at the Christchurch Convention Centre. In “Politically Wired” delegates will have the opportunity to hear the Health Minister talk on health topics relevant to the rural sector and then put some pressing questions to him. People can also follow proceedings via WebEx, which allows people in remote sites to view the session via their computer and text a question to the session’s chairperson. Temuka-based nurse practitioner Sharon Hansen will present the opening 20-minute keynote session on changes in her local practice focussed on the team-based approach. The face of Pharmac’s One Heart Many Lives Programme, Tamati Davis, will be on-hand to tell his inspirational story of his return from the brink of death caused through obesity. Tamati lost more than 110kgs in his quest to stay alive. Humorist Joe Bennett says his topics include “the infantilisation of society… Facebook and other crimes against humanity.” Awards presentations will focus on the Peter Snow Award and the launch of the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust. On Thursday at 4pm, the College’s Division of Rural Hospital Medicine will hold its AGM. This will be followed by a forum where Professor Ross Lawrenson will present results of a rural hospital workforce survey. CEO Karen Thomas will represent the College.

Director-General to depart Ministry
Director-General of Health, Stephen McKernan, has decided not to seek reappointment after his current term expires at the end of July. The College acknowledges Mr McKernan for his contribution as Director-General.

Last chance to win Forrest wine –feedback by Friday
Results from the College’s 2009 annual membership survey (with 2028 responses) show that more than half of you identified ePulse as the College communication you use most often. But we’re committed to making ePulse better and more useful than ever, so we need to know what you think of the ePulse editions you’ve been receiving over the past year. Complete a brief ePulse survey online by Friday 12 March and you’ll go into the draw to win 6 bottles of wine courtesy of College Fellow Brigid Forrest and Forrest wines in Marlborough.
Dr Harry Pert, RNZCGP President

Further News

A quality and safety programme for maternity services
Sector workshops are being held by the Ministry of Health to discuss a safety and quality programme for maternity services. The dates for these are: Christchurch 19 March, Auckland 26 March, Rotorua 29 March, and Wellington 20 April. It is intended that the workshops will cover: a draft model of how a quality and safety programme for maternity services might look; opportunity to critique the draft model of how a quality and safety programme might look; opportunity to provide suggestions/alternative models of how a quality and safety programme might look; the results of the informal survey into current mechanisms to improve quality and safety; and plenty of discussion and sharing of ideas. If you would like to be sent a registration form, please email Jane_Anderson@moh.govt.nz or policy@rnzcgp.org.nz. You will need to be allocated a place at the workshop by the MOH in order to attend. Registrations close 12 March.

RHM approval
Fellowship of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine (FDRHM) has been approved as an entry qualification to the Chapter of Palliative Medicine training program.

Guidelines for the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme
The National Screening Unit has released guidelines to support practitioners offering newborn metabolic screening. Copies of the Guidelines are available to order free from Wickliffe on (04) 496 2277 or moh@wickliffe.co.nz or can be downloaded from http://www.nsu.govt.nz/Health-Professionals/3439.asp.

Journal Watch
• Antiarrhythmic drugs vs catheter ablation in treatment resistant paroxysmal a-fib

• Home based cardiac rehabilitation an option for low risk patients

• Tiotropium may decrease cardiovascular risk in COPD patients

• Observational study does not find increased cardiac death with venlafaxine

• HPV-based cervical cancer screening may be more effective than cytology

• Exceptional intellectual ability associated with bipolar disorder

• Comprehensive national strategy for lowering mean population cholesterol required

• Connection between patient’s socioeconomic status and decisions by physicians

Consultation - Your Views Sought

Thank you to those members who found time to provide comment on the issues in the previous edition of ePulse. The College Board met recently and has agreed that priority policy areas for the College will be more clearly identified at governance level in future. Special attention will be given to providing you with more readily accessible information and easier ways to provide feedback (e.g. brief online surveys) about key issues within consultations in these priority areas. We will also continue to provide some information on a wide range of other issues that may be of interest. We hope the changes to this section of ePulse are helpful to you.

Tamiflu Survey Feedback
Thank you also to the twenty- three members who responded with constructive comments to our survey on how Tamiflu could be distributed to patients who need it. Your feedback and input from a series of teleconferences with interested Members will be conveyed to the Ministry of Health. The survey results showed that:

• GPs would find it ‘difficult’ (30%) and ‘challenging but achievable’ (48%) to provide Tamiflu to patients without creating a risk to their staff and other patients;

• 83% were in favour of supplying antivirals following a phone consultation

• 71% were in favour of dispensing antivirals via nurse consultations;

• Some practical methods suggested to distribute Tamiflu to affected patients without risking transmission to practice staff and other patients included GPs faxing or Rx to pharmacies, having special clinic/flu assessment centres/CBAC if pandemic arises, and doing phone consults.

• Some of the challenges attached to doing the above include staff of special clinics, the cost of and volume of phone consults, having dedicated waiting rooms for the affected, possible wastage of antivirals due to public worry and overzealous pharmacists/nurses and getting enough supplies and being funded for distributing them.

Well Child/Tamariki Ora National Schedule Review
The MOH are revising the Well Child Schedule and are inviting comment. The timing of the scheduled checks delivered by the LMC, the GP, or the Well child/ Tamariki ora nurse has been changed, although the timing of the one with which GPs are most involved, the 6 week check is unchanged. There have also been changes to the content and assessment tools. This has already been emailed to some members. Others who would like to provide comment can email frances.townsend@rnzcgp.org.nz to request a copy. Responses are required by 11 March.

Proposed changes to the Medicines Regulations
Do you like to use electronic transmission of prescriptions, want the pharmacist to substitute an alternative brand of medicine than what you have prescribed, or do you use Standing Orders for your practice nurses? These, and many other proposals, are discussed in the Ministry of Health’s Proposed changes to regulations under the Medicines Act 1981 – consultation paper. Should you wish to comment please go to the website and make a submission, which is due by 26 March. If you consider this is an issue that requires a submission by the College please let us know at policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Draft Statement on what to do when you have concerns abut a colleague: MCNZ
Doctors have an ethical responsibility to protect patients from risk of harm posed by a colleague’s conduct, performance or health. Patient safety should come first at all times. But it can be difficult to know where the threshold lies for acting on concerns about a colleague. To assist doctors to determine when to report; how to report; and to advise on what help and support is available, the Medical Council of New Zealand has developed a draft statement entitled What to do when you have concerns about a colleague. The College will be making a response to the draft and welcomes your views. Feedback emailed to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz by April 5 will contribute to the College submission. Your views can also be sent directly to the MCNZ and details are available at http://www.mcnz.org.nz/NewsandIssues/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Proposal to widen prescriber access to clozapine
Medsafe are proposing widening the prescriber access to clozapine to include general practitioners continuing the prescribing of clozapine for a specific patient in collaboration or following consultation with a Community Mental Health Team. Details are available at http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/Consultation/Clozapine.asp.The College will be making a response to this proposal and your comments to contribute to the response can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz by 19 March.

Possible expansion of PHARMAC’s role
The Ministry of Health will shortly begin consulting on the possibility of expanding the role of PHARMAC into hospital medicines and a range of medical devices. The consultation document is available at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/consult-pharmac-2mar2010.The consultation closes on 31 March. The College would appreciate hearing whether you consider that we should make a submission and what aspects should be commented on. Feedback to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Day surgery definition
The Ministry of Health is proposing a definition of day surgery that can be used for regulatory purposes. This will affect general practices and GPs that provide day surgical procedures outside of hospital settings. They want the definition to include high risk procedures while avoiding inadvertent inclusion of low risk procedures. An expert working group suggests the following definitions. Our representative on the group is concerned that neither definition helps: 1.Day surgery is the same day admission and discharge of a consumer to a facility or service for a planned surgical and/or diagnostic procedure by a registered health practitioner. 2. Day surgery is the admission and discharge, within 24 hours, of a consumer to a facility or service for a planned surgical and/or diagnostic procedure by a registered health practitioner. Please let cathy.webber@rnzcgp.org.nz know your thoughts by Tuesday 23 March 2010.

Aiming for Excellence: Fourth Edition
In preparation for the fourth edition of Aiming for Excellence, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners seeks your views on its third edition by the end of April 2010. Your advice will help us understand whether Aiming for Excellence still measures what it was intended to measure. Our full consultation document can be found here. Contact Maureen.Gillon@rnzcgp.org.nz with feedback.

Defining the role of the GP
Dr Jo Scott-Jones, College rep on the then Primary Healthcare Advisory council (PHCAC), has put considerable thought into the issues around the role of the GP in current and future primary care teamwork. The result is a paper, mentioned in a recent edition of NZ Doctor, ‘Defining the Role of the GP in a primary health care team: The GP genome and phenotype 2009-2020’. Jo and the College are still keen to hear feedback which can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz. Jo’s paper is available here.

PHARMAC altering funding and access arrangements for special foods
The College will be making a submission on this consultation. It includes the proposal that vocationally registered general practitioners become eligible to authorise Special Food Special Authorities. Members comments on this and other recommendations can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz by Wed March 10 to inform the College response. The consultation document is available at: Consultation on altering subsidies for Special Foods. Closes Friday 19 March 2010

PHARMAC (Five consultations) Members wishing to comment on the proposals below can click on the link for further information and respond directly to PHARMAC by the closing date indicated. If you consider that this proposal requires a formal RNZCGP response please let us know by emailing policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

• Proposal to amend Growth Hormone access criteria. Closes Friday 12 March 2010

• Consumer Advisory Committee CAC Draft Terms of Reference 2010

• Rationale for Draft CAC Terms of Reference closes 1 April 2010

• Proposal to fund donepezil. Closes 4pm, Friday 19 March 2010

• Proposal to widen access to fentanyl transdermal patches. Closes Thursday 18 March 2010

Misuse of Drugs – Law Commission review
Do you think cannabis should be available for medicinal use? Do you think there should be a greater focus on drug treatment, prevention and education? The Law Commission is looking at a number of issues, including these, in its “Issues Paper on the Misuse of Drugs Act”. Submissions are invited from the public by 30 April. Please go to the online consultation website: www.talklaw.co.nz.

Inquiry into improving New Zealand's environment to support innovation through clinical trials
Currently Phase I – IV trials have been estimated to be worth between $12 million to $30 million per year in New Zealand, compared with Australia where they are worth $450 million per year. In Australia, the Rudd government has instigated an action group to cement the nation’s place as a good place for the conduct of clinical trials. Since the Cartwright report, New Zealand has developed a very thorough and careful approach to clinical trials, through its National Ethics Committee system. Commentators consider that great benefit could be achieved by improving the environment for carrying out clinical trials in New Zealand as the system can be overly bureaucratic and slow. Public submissions are due by 16 April. Further information is available here.

Representation

Ministry of Health
National Lung Cancer Working Group requests a General Practitioner with a strong interest in Lung Cancer. If you are interested in this committee please contact Annie.Fleetwood@rnzcgp.org.nz for further information.

Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
The Minister of Health has requested nominations and/or applications for the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT). There are vacancies for two general practitioners. Further information is available here. If you would like to nominate any suitable candidates for this vacancy or apply yourself, please forward your nomination to Annie.fleetwood@rnzcgp.org.nz by 12 March 2010 along with a copy of their/your current curriculum vitae and a completed application form.

Research

Research Grants
The RNZCGP’s Research and Education Charitable Trust is inviting applications for research and travel grants. Please complete the application forms and either post them to the College or email it to pam.berry@rnzcgp.org.nz. The forms are available here: http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/Research-Applications-2.

More Grants
Applications for the next round of Wellington Medical Research Foundation grant applications close on Tuesday 16 March 2010. Referee’s reports are due by Tuesday 30 March 2010. Further details of the grant application process at www.wmrf.co.nz.

Vacancies and Advertisements

Fellowship Assessors
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) is seeking GPs to undertake Fellowship Assessments on a contract for service basis. Applicants will be vocationally registered general practitioners who are Fellows of the RNZCGP and working at least 2/10ths in general practice. Previous experience at undertaking assessments in the general practice environment, examining for Primex, or involvement in the GP education programme would be an advantage. The positions have a degree of flexibility, with the assessor arranging the visits at a time that is suitable for the candidate and themselves. This enables the contractor to structure the hours of work around other commitments. Workload is negotiable up to 0.2 FTE. All assessors must be willing and able to travel, including some overnight trips. Applications for the Fellowship Assessor - Contractor positions will close on 10 March 2010. Click here to download Person specifications and the position description. To make an application or to request further information contact the College’s Manager Assessment, Rhett Emery (phone 04 915 4933) or email rhett.emery@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Central Auckland GP
Lovely friendly family-orientated practice looking for a 10/10 locum to cover a 3-4 week period from 28 June through to either 19th or 24th of July. Excellent pay and brand spanking new premise renovations! Great, supportive, fun team with MEDTECH. Phone Jodie on 09 378 6280 or 021 322 310 or email health@wmc.co.nz.

Miramar GP
Locum required for July 2010 to cover leave in a friendly four doctor family practice, 8 or 9/10ths preferred. Locum also required for July school holidays (5th to 16th) to cover leave, 4/10ths or more considered. Contact Raewyn, practice manager, on 04 388 7018 for more information on either position, or send CV to manager@miramarmedical.co.nz.

Part time GP Mt Eden
Permanent part time GP required for friendly well regarded family practice in Mt Eden. All female doctors, no afterhours or weekend supportive environment. For more information ring Practice Manager, Jen Leman 09 623 4599 or email Dr Jodie O’Sullivan at odixons@xtra.co.nz.

GPs – Invercargill short term
Waihopai Health Centre requires a locum GP, 6/10th from 10 May to 16 July 2010 and a locum GP, 10/10th from 13 Sept to 30 November 2010. We are a busy 4 doctor medical centre in Invercargill city. We have a great team and there is excellent support by staff. Remuneration is generous and is negotiable. We pay MCNZ, APC and MPS fees and provide a free car and free fully furnished house. Waihopai Health Centre is fully computerised and has Cornerstone Accreditation. Enquiries to Dr Stanley Mulvany phone 03 211 0999 or email to eiger@xtra.co.nz.

Wai Health, West Auckland Henderson Clinic
Wai Health requires two energetic and committed General Practitioners for their West Auckland Henderson Clinic to join busy (7000 registered clients) largely low socio-economic Maori/Pacific patients with high needs. Competitive remuneration for right applicants, must have good English, Med Tech skills and experience working in high demand progressive clinical environment. These positions will ultimately be long term placements for the right applicants however short term locum cover will be considered. Please provide copy of recent CV to Dr Glenn Doherty—GP Team leader or call 09 839 0288 for any enquires all applicants will be interviewed.

West Auckland Locum
Titirangi locum (female preferred) required 5-10/10, flexible sessions as suits. 14 June - 30 July or part of, supportive four doctor group, 'mypractice' software used. Email drgkw@ihug.co.nz or phone 09-817 8069/ 021 258 1930.

Palmerston North GP
Friendly two doctor practice in Palmerston North looking to replace doctor going overseas. Hours negotiable 3-7/10. After hours with local after hours centre. Supportive practice staff who have been with the practice for many years. Currently completing Cornerstone Accreditation. Contact Murray or Katrina (06) 3574424.

Raglan GP (Locum)
Sun, Surf and Lifestyle – 6 month opportunity. GP Locum required for modern, friendly rural practice. Join this amazing practice for a 6 month maternity leave contract, starting in April 2010. You will be working 8/10ths with no on-call. Art, culture, surfing and lifestyle, is what we can offer you. What better way to work in paradise! For more information please e-mail wchc@wave.co.nz Ph PM: Sarah 07 825 0114.

West Auckland GP
We are looking for a long term locum (female preferred) to join our team. We are a purpose built, integrated Cornerstone Accredited practice. No afterhours, no weekends and excellent remuneration. Email: westview@westview.co.nz.

Russell GP
Permanent GP partner wanted for the beautiful Bay of Islands. We both work five sessions a week but our income is close to that of a full-time GP! We have a fully equipped surgery and purpose built premises that are funded by a local community trust. The practice is fully computerised (Medtech32) and Cornerstone accredited. For more information see http://www.propertyvideosnz.com/Doctor/Business.html. Phone 09 403 7604 or email ianbirch@paradise.net.nz.

Christchurch GP
Long term position for GP – 5/10ths. Large, established, purpose built, suburban practice in multidisciplinary centre. Friendly, supportive staff in a superb working environment. Email claireh@barringtonmc.co.nz.

Click here to go to the College website for more vacancies.

CME

Skin Cancer Short Courses and Conference
The next University of Queensland / HealthCert basic to advanced skin cancer courses will be held on the Gold Coast, QLD.

19-20 June
• Certificate in Primary Care Skin Cancer Medicine Dermoscopy, Pathology, Wound Management, Basic Practical Surgery, Medicare Billing, Business Workflow.
Presenters: Prof David Wilkinson, A/Prof Hamish Foster, Dr Simon Clark, Mr Paul Elmslie

• Certificate in Primary Care Skin Cancer Surgery
Intermediate Course
Elliptical excisions, effective wound closure & management, skin lines, graft & flap principles
Presenter: Dr Sharad P Paul

26-27 June
• Certificate in Advanced Dermoscopy & Dermal Imaging
Advanced pattern recognition, Acral & Facial lesions
Presenters: Profs Giuseppe Argenziano & Iris Zalaudek

• Advanced Skin Cancer Surgery Workshop
New Head & Neck Focus – lesion excision, wound closure, appropriate flaps
Presenter: Dr Sharad P Paul

3–4 July, Brisbane
• Alumni Skin Cancer Conference
Various skin cancer related topics. Exciting programme
Past skin cancer course participants & new delegates are welcome
Presenters include: Profs Giuseppe Argenziano & Iris Zalaudek

Goodfellow Symposium 2010
Pillars of practice: Strengthening patient care through shared education
26-28 March, The Lagham, Auckland, www.goodfellowsymposium.org.
The Goodfellow Unit, in partnership with MercyAscot, and now in association with the Accident and Medical Practitioners Association, looks forward to welcoming you to the Goodfellow Symposium 2010. This year we offer a wide range of topics enabling you to underpin your practice with the latest evidence including: Palliative Care; Youth Health; Dental and Oral Health; Maori Health; Sports Medicine; Glaucoma; Array of Nurse Led Initiatives. International Keynote Speakers include:Geoff Mitchell, Associate Professor in General Practice and a PHCRED Senior Research Fellow (Australia);Annie Topping, Professor of Health & Social Care and Director, Centre for Health & Social Care Research (UK). Plus we have included a stream dedicated to practical workshops and specialists in the areas of sexual health, dermatology, cardiology, endocrinology and gynaecology.
Earn up to 16 MOPS points for this practice and evidence driven CME weekend. Register now at www.goodfellowsymposium.org/registration/.

Medical Professionals working with Deaf and Hearing Impaired Clients
Medical Professionals working with Deaf and Hearing Impaired Clients is a new DVD for health professionals working with Deaf or hearing-impaired. Deaf Aotearoa CEO Rachel Noble says the DVD idea arose after discussions about ways to ensure accurate two-way communication between health providers and Deaf or hearing impaired clients. “Recent research has identified that accessing health services and having medical staff aware of Deaf-related issues are high priorities for the Deaf community,” says Ms Noble. “We believe this DVD will go a long way towards achieving this, with its helpful tips and practical demonstrations showing positive interactions between health professionals and the Deaf patient.” The DVD also gives advice on what to do when communicating with Deaf or hearing-impaired clients – including speaking directly to the Deaf person and not using their family members as interpreters. The information in the DVD also reinforces the rights of the Deaf consumer within the Health and Disability Code. Funded by Waitemata District Health Board and the Health and Disability Commission, the DVD is available to all health providers. Copies can be obtained from Deaf Aotearoa – phone 09 828 3282 or email karen.hall@deaf.org.nz

Palliative Care Education Opportunity through Hospice New Zealand – free of charge
Hospice New Zealand offer free access to monthly Palliative Care Lectures. These take place on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30-8.30am. The lectures cover a range of topics and are delivered via teleconference, usually with a power point presentation that the speaker takes participants through. The last 10-15 minutes of each session is dedicated to questions, giving the opportunity to raise anything specific with the speaker. Please click here to find out more, see this year’s schedule of lectures and to register.

Palliative care forum for medical practitioners
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) invite you to attend one of three forums being held in New Zealand in March 2010. The invited speaker, Professor Janet Hardy, (BSc, MBChB, MD, FRACP, FAChPM) is palliative medicine specialist from Brisbane, Australia, and will be discussing What's new in pain control in palliative care - the science behind the myths. This workshop has been endorsed by the RNZCGP, and has been approved for 9 hours CME for General Practice Educational Programme Stage 2 (formerly AVE) and Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) purposes. The forums will be held in 3 locations from 6.15-9pm (a light meal will be served): Christchurch on 29 March 2010, convenor Dr Kate Grundy; Palmerston North on 30 March 2010, convenor Dr Joy Percy; Auckland on 31 March 2010, convenor Dr Cathy Miller. For more information or to register: ANZSPM website www.anzspm.org.au or email Karen Cooper: karen@anzspm.org.au.

OBSTGYN 712 & 715
Want to update your knowledge in contraception, pre and early pregnancy or medical gynaecology? Click here for more information.

Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice
The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice is designed to meet the needs of GPs and the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural & Provincial Hospital Practice is designed to meet the needs of doctors working in rural hospitals. Click here for more information or visit www.otago.ac.nz/dsm/gp.

Advanced Wilderness Life Support Course
Host; Southland Wilderness Medicine Group (WildMed). Venue: Crown Plaza, Queenstown, New Zealand. Dates 12-14 March 2010 or 16-18 July 2010. Approved by the RNZCGP for up to 17 hours endorsed CME. More information; www.wildmed.co.nz or wildmed@xtra.co.nz.

Spine in Action: Low Back Pain - Can Chronicity be Prevented? Auckland March 27-30, 2010
The NZ Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine is holding a Scientific Conference examining the factors that contribute to, or predispose to the development of chronic low back pain and how these factors can be managed. The neurobiological & anatomical substrate, as well as the clinical basis to the identification and management of low back pain will be explored. Internationally renowned speakers include Prof Lars Arentdt-Nielsen, Prof Johan Vlaeyen, Prof Paul Watson, Prof Jacob Patijn as well as local and Australian speakers. Visit www.musculoskeletal.co.nz for program and speaker details and registration. Earlybird rates apply until end January. The NZ Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine is an RNZCGP endorsed CME provider.

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 credits: 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 www.sextherapy.co.nz.

Smoking Cessation in Practice – E-learning tool
An e-learning tool for registered health workers is available online at: www.smokingcessationabc.org.nz. The tool introduces ABC, the new approach for managing people who smoke (as outlined in the New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines), and contains practical information about giving brief advice and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The tool takes between 20 and 40 minutes to complete.

Conferences

Doing the Right Thing – The New Zealand General Practice Conference
This year’s RNZCGP conference will be held at the Christchurch Convention Centre, 2-5 September 2010. Book the date in your diary now. Check out our website, updated with a call for abstracts. http://www.conference.co.nz/index.cfm/RNZCGP10

Evolving Communities Beyond Services, Building Bridges National Conference for Community Mental Health and Addictions 2010
Conference summary: Transcending barriers, cultures and differences in our approach to community mental health and addictions services. 14 – 16 April 2010, Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington. For more information, go to www.buildingbridges.co.nz.

International

19th Wonca World Conference of Family Doctors, Cancun, May 2010
For the first time in the history of the World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca), a Latin American country will be the venue for the World Conference of Family Doctors: the Mexican College of Family Medicine is designated organizer of the 19th Wonca World Conference of Family Doctors, to be held in the city of Cancun, Mexico, from 19 to 23 May 2010. The Conference will spread the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs and will lead to the reflection on the technical and social role that Family Medicine must have to achieve the international goals that were proposed in the 2000 Millennium Summit: the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For more information visit http://www.wonca2010cancun.com.