Melbourne welcomes RACGP annual conference

The future of general practice medicine was on the agenda as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) annual conference convenes in Melbourne this week. More than 1,500 delegates have been attending the three-day event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which runs to 23 September. The RACGP also welcomed its highest number of trade exhibitors, with more than 150 on show. RACGP president Dr Frank R Jones said this year’s conference programme featured international speakers from New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia and Hong Kong. “The RACGP’s annual conference is the highlight event of the year for general practitioners, offering a platform to discuss and debate the serious issues facing primary healthcare and patient health outcomes,” Dr Jones said. “The calibre of content being delivered in this year’s programme is outstanding and is sure to cultivate some great discussion on issues such as mental health, drug-seeking patients, chronic conditions and how technology is evolving general practice.” The RACGP used the conference’s opening day to launch its proposal for a major overhaul of Australia’s funding system for general practice. “If implemented, our vision will transform the delivery of healthcare in Australia, through increased quality, access and efficiency,” Dr Jones said. Conference highlights included presentations on influenza vaccination for children under five, computer generated self-images as a motivational tool for weight loss, and improving healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Photo: Australian College of General Practitioners 2015 annual conference, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Andrew Hobbs Photography)