Insights from a Seasoned SLO
This month, we hear from one of our long-time Supervisors and Supervising Liaison Officers (SLOs), Dr Cameron Profitt, who shares reflections on a 30+ year journey in general practice education, the evolving SLO role, and why staying connected with peers and organisations like GPSA matters more than ever..
Could you share your journey into your current role as an SLO?
I first started supervising in my third year of general practice, when the principals of our practice went overseas for six months and asked me to supervise a colleague, who I’ll call Dr SB, who had been an intern and resident with me at Barwon Health. At the time, he was working in Emergency Medicine but soon saw the light and made the shift to general practice... with me as his supervisor!
"It was a great experience that reinforced something I’ve come to really believe - we always learn from each other. Having registrars in the practice brings a renewed sense of enthusiasm and passion that’s contagious. Dr SB and I are still close friends, we play tennis most weeks!"
In what ways have your past experiences prepared you for the SLO role? Are there particular skills or insights that have helped?
I’ve now been supervising for over 30 years and working as an SLO for more than ten. I first became an SLO with the Victorian Metropolitan Alliance (VMA), covering Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding areas, then with MCCC (Murray City Country Coast), and now under the RACGP.
Today the SLO role is more formalised. We have regular catchups with other SLOs and quarterly national meetings facilitated by GPSA, which keep us informed and connected. The role gives you a real insight into the bigger picture of GP training and how supervisor feedback helps shape it.
The benefits of supervising are well known, but what are the benefits of being an SLO?
"One of the main benefits is staying across new developments in GP training. It also gives you a channel to contribute feedback that really gets listened to by both the RACGP and GPRA. You feel part of the system and not just on the sidelines."
What do you see as GPSA’s greatest value to its members? Why should supervisors stay connected?
GPSA plays a vital role in supporting supervisors especially in the areas where the College can’t. Their industrial relations support is invaluable, and the online resources are practical and easy to access.
The webinars and meetings provide opportunities to connect with peers and stay informed.
" GPSA also helps point you in the right direction when you need guidance. And don’t forget your local SLOs - they’re there to support you too. Each region has a few SLOs and RLOs listed in the TMS system."
What are some of the biggest challenges facing supervisors today?
The growing workload and complexity of general practice can be exhausting, which is why having younger GPs and registrars around is so energising. In our practice, we’ve made a tradition of heading to the pub every Friday for a clinical lunch meeting. It’s a great way to focus on teaching, talk through the week’s challenges, and escape the phones for an hour!
What concerns me most is the pace of constant change, often without enough communication or support. New Medicare items like those for chronic disease management or the recent GPACI changes in aged care seem to roll out quietly, with minimal notice. I'd like to see stronger leadership from Government and a bigger role for PHNs.
If you could share one message with supervisors across Australia, what would it be?
"Stay engaged - with your College, with GPSA, and with your fellow supervisors. Don’t underestimate the value of connection. Supervisor PD days aren’t just about education - they’re about support, debriefing, and learning from each other. It’s this sense of community that helps sustain us all."
Return to the July enewsletter