Empowering GPs with knowledge and expertise: Our GP CPD meetings in 2024
Brisbane Private Hospital, part of the Healthscope network of private hospitals, was proud to host a series of highly successful Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events for General Practitioners (GPs) throughout 2024.
These events provided quality face-to-face and online education, helping GPs earn their CPD hours and stay up to date with the latest developments to better serve their patients.
The hospital’s specialists were delighted to take part in the education and supporting their local GP community. Our specialists delivered a series of insightful education sessions, fostering meaningful engagement with GPs.
Here’s a recap of the three standout CPD events hosted by Brisbane Private Hospital in 2024:
CPD 1: Addiction Medicine – Steps to Recovery
March 2024
The first CPD event of the year focused on the increasingly important field of addiction medicine. As new treatment options emerge, particularly in the Australian context, it is essential for GPs to stay informed about the latest practices in managing addiction.
The event saw GPs actively engage with a panel of psychiatry experts, who delved into the complexities of addiction treatment. The session covered new diagnosis and treatment strategies, emerging psychedelic medications, and prescriber requirements for Schedule 8 (S8) medications.
The interactive format encouraged lively discussions, enabling GPs to:
- Develop comprehensive, collaborative management plans for patients with addiction.
- Safely prescribe and de-prescribe addictive scheduled medications.
- Conduct thorough screening interviews that include substance use and gambling behaviours.
The learning outcomes provided valuable skills that GPs could immediately apply in their practices, ensuring better support for patients battling addiction.
Speakers
Dr David Nguyen
Psychiatrist
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Dr Matthew Hocking
Psychiatrist
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Dr Cameron Edwards
Psychiatrist
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Dr Belinda Oddy
Psychiatrist
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CPD 2: Spine Symposium – Navigating the Complexities of Back and Spine Pain
October 2024
Back and spine pain is a common yet complex issue in general practice, and this Spine Symposium aimed to equip GPs with the latest treatment strategies for managing these conditions. Brisbane Private Hospital hosted an engaging day of case discussions, small group sessions, and hands-on practical advice.
The event focused on non-operative treatment options, pain management pathways, and discussions about when surgery or radiological interventions are needed. The comprehensive learning outcomes included:
- Recognising the signs and symptoms of lumbar disc herniation and understanding the management of symptoms.
- Identifying appropriate imaging techniques for lumbar spine conditions.
- Prescribing suitable analgesia and referring patients for effective back pain management.
By the end of the session, GPs were equipped with the tools and knowledge to confidently diagnose, treat, and refer patients experiencing spine and back pain, aiming to improve both the GP's clinical outcomes and patient care.
Speakers
Dr Paul Licina
Orthopaedic Surgery, Spinal Surgery
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Dr Brendan Moore
Pain Management, Anaesthesiology
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CPD 3: Expert Care for Knee and Shoulder Conditions
October 2024
The October events continued with a free CPD webinar focusing on knee and shoulder conditions. This session featured two of Brisbane Private Hospital’s renowned orthopaedic surgeons, who guided GPs through a structured approach to diagnosing and managing common joint issues.
With case-based discussions and practical guidance on performing examinations, ordering imaging, and knowing when to refer, GPs learned how to approach common musculoskeletal complaints with confidence. The session’s learning outcomes included:
- Developing a systematic approach to assessing shoulder and knee conditions.
- Understanding how to direct radiologists for precise imaging.
- Creating a tailored management plan based on the patient's history, examination, and investigation results.
GPs left the webinar feeling empowered to manage joint pain and fractures more effectively, providing timely referrals and treatments to improve patient care.
Speakers
Dr Jon Anderson
Orthopaedic Surgery Knee & Sport
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Dr Brad Gilpin
Orthopaedic Surgery
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On-Demand Education: Learning at Your Own Pace
In addition to the in-person and live webinar events, Healthscope offers GPs across Australia access to an extensive on-demand education library with more than 160 high-quality videos available. GPs can earn CPD hours 24/7 from any device.
Conclusion
The CPD events hosted by Brisbane Private Hospital in 2024 were a resounding success, with GPs actively participating, engaging with expert speakers, and taking away valuable insights to apply in their practices. These events not only enhanced the professional skills of local GPs but also contributed to improved patient care by ensuring that GPs were well-equipped with the latest treatment strategies and clinical knowledge.
As a proud part of Healthscope, a major CPD provider in 2024, Brisbane Private Hospital is committed to fostering strong relationships with the local GP community, providing support, and continuing to offer quality education that advances patient care across Brisbane. We look forward to hosting more informative and interactive events in the future to further our mission of delivering exceptional healthcare.