Looking to the Future
Writing this blog at the end of the month gives me the chance to collect all the pieces and make sense of what has been worthwhile and what I honestly could have done without in hindsight - all in the context of what GPSA's members might need today, tomorrow, and years from now.
The same applies with respect to our annual National Supervision Survey, this year's theme being "Reflecting on the Past... Looking to the Future".
In February I was a bit rant-y about the high-handed attitude some entities have toward our members, but the last thing I want to suggest is that the individuals representing these entities mean any offence or disrespect. There are deep-seated cultural issues at play here, which we as both membership body and GP training peak would like to tease out and play a part in resolving. To this end, through our annual survey we are asking our members to share their thoughts on what worked particularly well under the RTOs and inviting solutions rather than problems so we can focus on shaping a better future for GP training.
Anybody who's developed a survey or questionnaire knows just how much work goes into getting the questions right and finding the best hook to attract sufficient participation to produce a meaningful amount of data. This year we've tied the goal of increased engagement to the timing of the survey release such that it will be announced as part of our invitation to join the virtual community of practice "GPSA Community" that we're hoping will better connect our members with each other and with us: helping each individual play an active ongoing role in driving GPSA's advocacy, research and educational agendas through their contribution.
This is so important with the changes afoot in the present primary healthcare context. The Workforce Planning & Prioritisation (WPP) organisations reporting to Commonwealth on both workforce need and training capacity will be drawing on non-current datasets without any on-the-ground verification if our members' voices are not embedded in the process; the might of the Pharmacy Guild is prioritising convenience over patient safety and the Commonwealth seems to be completely onboard; the reduced numbers of AGPT registrars is being attributed unilaterally to the failure of the current employment model to allow for entitlements to be retained across training years (without any consideration of the end-point of training, ie the fellowed GP / practice owner, being far from an attractive career proposition while described in the media as requiring Medicare rorting to be financially sustainable), which feeds into the Single Employer Model (SEM) pilots gaining traction as the solution for rural health... Rural health is a problem we are committed to addressing, but not with a one-size-fits-all approach that undermines the self-determination and viability of rural general practice now and into the future. These initiatives should not be viewed in isolation (what about practices and for that matter rural hospitals struggling under an over-reliance on locums?), and in my opinion should surely be developed with a broader scope than the 2-4 years of training for an AGPT registrar. And again, with no input from our members, these initiatives threaten to impose yet more less-than-welcome changes on the profession and the private business model that has proven the most cost effective form of healthcare for our communities.
While we seek ways to draw out our members' opinions, needs and suggestions, we have teamed up with GPRA to include our members' priorities in the SEM pilots being designed by the states and territories, jointly meeting with the almost all-GP team at NT Health, and joining the Steering Group for the Tasmanian SEM (which is ambitiously set to commence in July this year). Kevin and I also contributed to the DOHAC-commissioned KPMG consultation on GP Registrar Portability of Entitlements. We have furthered our focus on strengthening relationships with stakeholders on the GP Training Advisory Committee (GPTAC), meeting with RDAA and establishing monthly debriefs with DOHAC and ACRRM in addition to fortnightly operational and President/Chair meetings with both Colleges and GPRA.
We will continue to create opportunities to empower our members - and build more free services like our new accreditation as CPD providers for RACGP -, and ask only that our members jump in, get involved, and help us drive the change they need rather than resentfully accepting the change forced upon them.