Stakeholder issue 3 | December 2016 | 1

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Year in reviewIt’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2016. It is has been a year marked with change, but as the year draws to a close I am pleased to see our processes and systems gaining traction, and our relationships with key stakeholders and ways of working together evolving.

I would like to personally thank all of our stakeholders, supervisors, practice staff and registrars for your ongoing contribution to GP training during this period of change. Throughout the year I have met and worked with many of you on a range of different initiatives designed to improve our GP training delivery and workforce distribution.

The year of transition and change has presented many challenges for both new and former GP Synergy staff. I extend my gratitude and thanks to all staff for their aplomb, dedication and commitment they have displayed during the year.

In particular, I would like to thank Dr Graham Lee who will be stepping down from the Director of Education and Training role at the end of December to pursue a career in theology. I am delighted that he will be continuing with GP Synergy on a part-time basis in a shared Deputy Director of Training position with Dr Anne Eastwood, and I look forward to working with Dr Vanessa Moran in

the role of Director of Education and Training from January next year.

With 2017 just around the corner, it provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights of 2016.

Over 280 registrars achieved fellowshipDuring 2016 more than 280 registrars achieved fellowship through either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and/or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM). We warmly congratulate these registrars and acknowledge everyone for your contribution to these registrars’ fellowship success.

10 regional offices established and over 200 staffAs we move forward into 2017, we do so with strong regional teams located throughout our ten regional offices in Armidale, Ballina, Canberra, Chippendale, Dubbo, Liverpool, Moree, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, and Wollongong. Each regional facility is now housed in a permanent office.

The number of staff has grown considerably over the last 12 months, from 40 in December 2015 to over 200 staff at the time of writing, which includes dedicated regional medical education and administration teams.

More than 130 education activities delivered regionally, and this is set to continue in 2017During 2016 we delivered more than 130 regional education activities across our eight subregions. This included over 100 registrar education activities totalling more than 160 days of education, designed and delivered by regional medical education teams incorporating both national and local population health needs.

Thirty professional development events, in addition to a series of webinars, have been delivered regionally for our supervisors in 2016. In response to supervisor feedback, we are making important changes to the supervisor professional development program for 2017. This includes delivery of a new suite of foundation and advanced modules that are well supported with funding, provide flexibility, and will greatly enhance the training environment.

Stakeholder Issue 3 | December 2016

Stakeholder Update

Registrar farm education day | Wagga Wagga

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Regional advisory councils take a lead role in shaping registrar workforce distributionThroughout 2016 the seven Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) have played an increasing role in contributing to the governance of GP Synergy’s work within each region. Supported by GP Synergy’s geospatial informatics system, council members consider the location and number of GP Synergy training practices, non-training practices, registrars and other factors, together with a wide range of population health data to make recommendations about registrar distribution within each subregion.

Members of the RACs have recently been given access to GP Synergy’s informatics system for the purposes of use-case and usability testing. Access to this information will become more widely available after this testing and subsequent development work is complete.

Responsiveness to supervisor and practice manager feedbackEarlier this year we commissioned an external specialist healthcare consultancy to collect feedback from our supervisors and practice managers to better understand their needs and how we can support them in their training role.

The research study consisted of two components - in-depth supervisor interviews and focus groups, and online supervisor and practice manager surveys.

In response to feedback we have developed new initiatives and enhanced systems to better meet the needs of these two important groups. This includes:

9 Ongoing commitment to collect face to face and quantitative feedback

9 In-practice visit program by frontline staff

9 Direct phone numbers for regional GP Synergy offices and key frontline staff

9 Supported and paid GP Synergy professional development for supervisors

9 Regionalised and flexible supervisor professional development modes of delivery

9 Practice manager professional development for 2016 and 2017

9 Paid mandatory assessments third GP term and above

9 New online in-practice teaching resource - SupportGPT

9 GPRime2 user experience redevelopment

9 Improved information about term placement

9 Regional advisory council outcome reports

High levels of registrar satisfaction with GP Synergy’s education program and in-practice experienceFeedback collected from bi-annual surveys undertaken during re-enrolment with our registrars continues to remain extremely positive.

Results from more than 1000 registrars showed strong overall satisfaction levels. GP Synergy has conducted a review of areas for improvement which has informed changes to the education and training programs and administration in 2017.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health strategic plan implementationGP Synergy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Plan, developed by the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee, is currently being implemented with the support of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit.

Highlights of 2016 include the GP Synergy/TAFE OTEN Practice Manager Diploma which saw all 20 all participants successful graduate. GP Synergy also recently hosted the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course for 20 CEO and director participants, tailored to the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) sector.

A key area of focus has been engagement and development of GP Synergy’s Reconciliation Action Plan which is due for release in March 2017, in addition to a range of other projects annexed by the strategic plan.

On behalf of all of us at GP Synergy, we thank you again for your continued support and involvement in training our next generation of GPs. We wish you a very safe and happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in 2017.

John Oldfield | Chief Executive Officer

Some members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee

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Uni Student Research topic

UND Christopher Wilson Resilience and mindfulness

UND Candice Day Palliative care training

USYD Isobel Marr Dosage and efficacy of acupuncture

USYD Lena Quinto GP registrars negative emotions

UWS Christopher Kocx GP comfort level with suicidal patients

UWS Vanessa Tent Watchful waiting otitis media Aboriginal patients

UNE Aaron Ray Specialist referrals

UNE Cecilia Ostman GP registrars attitude toward mental health presentations

UNSW Belinda Watson Discharge from ED elderly

UNSW Jeff Wang Cardiovascular risk factors database

UoW Laura Robson GP views on Handbook of Non drug interventions

UoW Justine Thomson Youth friendly GP practice

*UoW scholarship recipients will complete the program in March 2017.

Academic medical student scholarships Final selection of recipients of the 2017 GP Synergy Medical Student General Practice Scholarships is now drawing to close. We are delighted to be working with all medical schools within NSW and ACT on the 2017 scholarship program – ANU, UND, UNE, UNSW, UoN, USYD, UoW, and WSU.

The GP Synergy Medical Student General Practice Scholarship program started in 2013 to raise the profile of general practice research amongst medical students and the general practice profession more broadly. Since its inception, 35 students have successfully completed the scholarship program.

Students participating in the program receive a financial stipend in return for participating in a GP community based research project in conjunction with their University’s General Practice Academic Department and a community based placement with a GP Synergy nominated mentor. In 2017, scholarship recipients will also have the opportunity to present a poster at the upcoming GP Education and Training Conference (GPTEC) in Sydney (16-17 August 2017).

2016 scholarship recipients have engaged in a diverse range of research projects throughout the year and we congratulate them on their successful completion of the scholarship*.

2016 scholarship research topics

Congratulations to the 2016 GP Synergy/TAFE OTEN Practice Management Diploma for Aboriginal Medical Service graduates

GP Synergy congratulates the twenty staff from Aboriginal medical services from across NSW/ACT who successfully completed the nationally recognised Diploma in Practice Management for Aboriginal Medical Services.

Now in its second year, the diploma is the only one of its kind, developed by GP Synergy in collaboration with TAFE OTEN, to meet the specific needs of practice managers and staff working in Aboriginal medical service facilities.

The diploma seeks to improve primary healthcare service delivery for local Aboriginal communities and opportunities for doctors to undertake Aboriginal health training.

Jamie Newman, Chief Executive Officer from Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, says the diploma is a valuable practice management succession planning platform, with four staff from the service graduating from the 2016 program.

“An element that is significant for our sector is succession, and this diploma affords practice management succession.

“When there is a turnover of staff, we have people who have availed themselves of the diploma and they are automatically available to step in, ensuring continuity of service and continuity of care,” he says.

2016 graduate, Karl Briscoe, former Clinical Services Manager at Galambila Aboriginal Medical Service and now CEO at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association, agrees.

“The diploma brings together staff from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across NSW/ACT enabling invaluable knowledge transfer between the organisations we represent.”

2016 graduates included staff from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across NSW/ACT including Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Coonamble, Kempsey, Moree, Newcastle, Nowra, Orange, Tamworth, Walgett and Wyong.

The diploma will be offered again in 2017. For more information, please contact GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit Manager, Darren Green on darren_green@gpsynergy.com.au

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NSW/ACT GP Synergy awards 2016Each year GP Synergy presents awards which recognise outstanding achievement and commitment to quality general practice education and training.

This year’s recipients were awarded at the recent seasonal celebration and award nights held across our subregions.

We warmly congratulate all recipients on their achievements.

Dr Jeremy Bunker Outstanding Achievement Award | Dr Anne Eastwood

Dr Anne Eastwood began her career as a medical educator with the former southwestern Sydney training provider, the Institute of General Practice Education (IGPE) in 2004, before joining GP Synergy in 2010. Anne has acquired a well-deserved reputation for hard work, commitment and reliability, and is a highly respected senior member of the GP Synergy team. In her role as Deputy Director of Training, she is sought out by staff across the organisation for her judgment, leadership and dedication to general practice training. Anne has a genuine commitment to bettering the lives of others, demonstrated through her GP career in refugee health, and plays an instrumental role in successful progression of Australian Defence Force (ADF) registrars through their training.

NSW/ACT Dr Charlotte Hespe Research Award | Dr Su-Yin Yeong

Dr Su-Yin Yeong is currently in her GPT2 term at Hunts Avenue Medical Practice in Eastwood and MyHealth Medical Centre in Meadowbank. Su has a keen interest in women’s health, children’s health and chronic disease. She also has an interest in academia and research. Recently Su wrote a research project titled ‘Rubella immunity and screening in women of childbearing age in Sydney general practice’ during her GP term with Dr Fiona Millard. They also gave a presentation together on ‘Registrar research for supervisors – Embracing registrar ideas/research’ at General Practice Training and Education Conference (GPTEC) at the Gold Coast this year. Su won the RACGP PWH Grieve Memorial Award which is designed to support a plan of study in medical education for a general practitioner or for research in general practice.

NSW/ACT ACRRM Registrar of the Year Award | Dr Maya Eamus

Dr Maya Eamus began GP training in 2013 and fellowed from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine in August this year. Maya undertook all her GP training in Western NSW, first at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and then at Gundagai Medical Centre where she also undertook her Advanced Specialised Training term. Maya has been an outstanding registrar and is an excellent doctor. She is thoroughly rurally committed having bought a home in Gundagai and plans to live and work there long term.

NSW/ACT RACGP Registrar of the Year Award | Dr Sam Baker

Dr Sam Baker is a rural pathway registrar who completed her training in March 2016. She undertook her GP training across a variety of training positions within the New England/Northwest region including an academic post with the University of New England/Northwest. Sam was a longstanding Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO) during her training, providing an important advocacy role for rural registrars in the region, and working collaboratively with GP Synergy to benefit rural registrars. She has contributed enormously to the promotion of rural general practice, through her ongoing participation in GP promotional activities.

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Regional awards 2016Congratulations to the winners of the annual GP Synergy subregion awards in recognition of their dedication and commitment to excellence in GP training. Recipients were presented their awards at GP Synergy seasonal celebration and award nights in each subregion.

For further information visit https://gpsynergy.com.au/about-us/gp-synergy-awards/regional-awards/

Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney award winners

Hunter, Manning and Central Coast award winners

9 Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Efy Alexandratos | Earlwood (far left)

9 Practice Manager of the Year Award: Penny Mills | Leichhardt (centre left)

9 Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Sara Chohan | Burwood (far right)

9 Employee of the Year Award: Dr Marisa Magiros | Liverpool (centre right)

9 NSW/ACT Dr Jeremy Bunker Outstanding Achievement Award: Dr Anne Eastwood | Liverpool (second left)

9 NSW/ACT Dr Charlotte Hespe Registrar Research Award: Dr Su-Yin Yeong (second right)

9 GP Synergy Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Mark Peterson | Morisset (left)

9 GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year: Anne Curtis | Forster (centre)

9 GP Synergy Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Ronald Wai | Kariong (right)

9 GP Synergy Employee of the Year Award: Heidi Heinz | Newcastle (not pictured)

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Murrumbidgee and ACT award winners

Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney award winners

9 GP Synergy Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Jo Crookes | Philip ACT (far left)

9 GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year: Leanne Clee | Cootamundra (far right)

9 NSW/ACT ACRRM Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Maya Eamus | Gundagai (centre)

9 GP Synergy Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Rachael Fikkers | Wagga Wagga (second left)

9 GP Synergy Employee of the Year Award: Jodie Hay | Wagga Wagga (second right)

9 GP Synergy Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Colin Gunter | Carlingford (far right)

9 GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year: Veronica Krzyszton | Faulconbridge (second left)

9 GP Synergy Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Su-Yin Yeong-| Eastwood / Meadowbank (second right)

9 GP Synergy Employee of the Year Award: Emie Roy | Liverpool (far left)

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New England/Northwest NSW award winners

North Coast award winners

9 Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Robert Parsons | Gunnedah (not pictured)

9 Practice Manager of the Year Award: Nina Hooker | Tamworth (right)

9 Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Sam Baker | Tamworth (centre)

9 Employee of the Year Award: Dr Donna Quinn | Glen Innes (left)

9 Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Sam Nelapati | Lake Cathie (far right)

9 Practice Manager of the Year Award: Christine Kingsbury | North Haven (second right)

9 Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Uma Selvanathan-Orr (far left) and Susan Tyler Freer (not pictured)| Ballina

9 Employee of the Year Award: Jo Sayer | Ballina (second left)

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South Eastern NSW award winners

Western NSW award winners

9 GP Synergy Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Ann Ellacott | Thirroul (not pictured. Accepted on behalf of colleague)

9 GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year: Jodie Edwards | Nowra (far right)

9 GP Synergy Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Kelly Mitchell | Nowra (second right)

9 GP Synergy Employee of the Year Award: Dr Allison Miller | Wollongong (far left)

9 GP Synergy Supervisor of the Year Award: Dr Louise Baker | Cowra (not pictured)

9 GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year: Louise Warry | Bathurst (left)

9 GP Synergy Registrar of the Year Award: Dr Hugh Le Lievre | Orange (centre)

9 GP Synergy Employee of the Year Award: Darren Green | Dubbo (right)

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Office closureOn behalf of all of us at GP Synergy, thank you for your continued support of GP training. We wish you a safe

and happy holiday season, and look forward to working with you in 2017.

Our offices will be closed from 5pm Fri 23 December and will reopen at 9am Tues 3 January.

Wollongong registrar tops RACGP NSW/ACT OSCE exam GP Synergy warmly congratulates Wollongong GP registrar, Dr Toby Jackson for being the highest scoring candidate in NSW/ ACT in the 2016.1 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) fellowship clinical exam.

Toby is currently training at the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service and has always had a special interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Following his internship at Wollongong Hospital, he spent several years locuming in remote primary care where he worked in Christmas Island, and with Aboriginal communities in Palm Island and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in the Gibson Desert.

“Aboriginal health is satisfying and rewarding work. I believe it’s a real opportunity to improve people’s health outcomes. You get to manage complicated and difficult conditions and there is a focus on preventative medicine. I would absolutely recommend the experience,” he says.

To access: https://gpsynergy.com.au/category/annual-reports/

2015-2016 GP Synergy Annual Report now available

2017 General Practice and Education ConferenceAbstracts open: 7 February 2017

Abstracts close: 21 March 2017

Further information will be available from the 2017 GPTEC website in January 2017:

www.gptec2017.com.au

Building communi�es: Bricks | Mortar | Imagina�on