Victoria

St Vincent’s Hospital

Royal Melbourne Hospital

Southern Health Monash Hospital

]]> If you know of any junior doctors in these hospitals who would make ideal GP Ambassadors, don’t be shy to let us know! Your recommendations will help us build the Going Places Network!

Victoria

St Vincent’s Hospital

Royal Melbourne Hospital

Southern Health Monash Hospital

New South Wales (various locations)

This guide is essential for anyone considering a career in general practice. As well as giving you information on careers in general practice, the guide also provides an overview of the training ]]> Going Places Prevocational Doctors Guide to GP Training 2012

This guide is essential for anyone considering a career in general practice. As well as giving you information on careers in general practice, the guide also provides an overview of the training program and how to apply.

Access an online version here.

Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP) Booklet

This leaflet provides useful information on the PGPPP program.

Access an online version here.

AGPT handbook 2012

This handbook is for anyone who is seriously considering applying to GP training. It provides in-depth information on the training program, eligibility, training requirements, preparing for the application, the selection process and a whole lot more.

Access an online version here.

Going Places Sign-Up Forms

To get interested peers signed-up to the Going Places Network!

The conference brought together 200 attendees in total, including medical students, prevocational doctors and registrars and all the leaders ]]> Seven lucky GP Ambassadors got the golden ticket to GPRA’s annual Breathing New Life Conference in Parliament House, Canberra in late March.

The conference brought together 200 attendees in total, including medical students, prevocational doctors and registrars and all the leaders of general practice stakeholder groups with the Minister of Health and Ageing, Hon Nicola Roxon and the Shadow Health Minister, Hon Peter Dutton. During the main conference at Parliament House we heard the Government’s and the Opposition’s views on healthcare and in particular, their visions for general practice in the future. The leaders of the stakeholder groups also shared their views. Most importantly, we were able to harness the views of the next generation.

Read the GPRA Media Release on the event.

We also welcomed the opportunity to gather together our seven GP Ambassadors and ran a workshop to discuss everyone’s thoughts on the progress of the Going Places Network.

During this meeting we covered 4 topics:

1.    A Year in the Life of the Going Places Network
2.    Membership and Marketing Initiatives
3.    Going Places Events
4.    Going Places Magazine and E-news

Some key findings that surfaced from the meeting was that after-hours Going Places events (both Networking & Educational) have proven to be very popular, with the rationale being that most doctors who attend are very keen on pursuing a career in general practice. The group also felt that it was really important to have a variety of different GPs present at these events, including a New Fellow and a rural GP.

The group brainstormed popular topics to run for educational events. These included: dermatology and paediatrics, simulation session – different code blue sessions, Implanon insertion demonstration night, gynaecology, mental health and eyes. Creating a certificate to hand out to participants after educational events was also a popular idea.

All feedback on the Going Places Magazine was very positive. The group felt that a “Best Catch” feature in the magazine could be interesting, where a doctor could speak about their discovery, similar to the TV show House. It was also agreed upon that in future editions of the magazine we could include a section that shows the chronological outline of a doctors training terms – this could help junior doctors think twice about their training choices.

We will work on implementing these suggestions in the Going Places Network over the next couple of months.

All in all the conference was a great success. We hope to see even more of you attend next year! If you have any other ideas you would like to share with us in regards to the progress of the Going Places Network in your hospital, please contact your Regional Project Coordinator.

Erin Gordon Northern Hospital To view Erin’s profile click here

Natasha Vavrek Launceston Hospital To view Natasha’s profile click here

Donna Lau Gosford Hospital To view ]]> Hello, and welcome to the new GP Ambassadors that have been appointed to the Going Places Network since our last e-news in March.

Erin Gordon
Northern Hospital
To view Erin’s profile click here

Natasha Vavrek
Launceston Hospital
To view Natasha’s profile click here

Donna Lau
Gosford Hospital
To view Donna’s profile click here

Ryan Metcalfe
Gosford Hospital
To view Ryan’s profile click here

Anna Elder
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
To view Anna’s profile click here

Natalie Sancandi
St George Hospital
To view Natalie’s profile click here

Make sure you drop them a line to welcome them into the Going Places team!

Hospital: The Northern Hospital, next door to the amazing Epping Plaza, Epping (and it’s only 22km from the CBD!)

What do your friends call you? “Flash”, “Ezza”, “Gordo”

How old are you? 21 (thus far, for 7 years ]]> Name: Erin “Flash” Gordon

Hospital: The Northern Hospital, next door to the amazing Epping Plaza, Epping (and it’s only 22km from the CBD!)

What do your friends call you?
“Flash”, “Ezza”, “Gordo”

How old are you?
21 (thus far, for 7 years running)

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
I grew up in downtown industrial Ballarat (affectionately known as “The Rat”) terrorising the streets with my posse of younger brothers on our BMX bicycles.  I then proceeded to terrorise the corridors of Loreto College for the years of my secondary schooling.

Are you from a “medical” background?
I really enjoy not being from a medical background as it certainly makes family reunions interesting!  My mum is a school principal at Ballarat North Primary School and I have three younger brothers; Joel, who works in the hotel business, Lachlan who is a koala and reptile handler and Jake who is currently studying Early Years Education in Albury.

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
Socialising, socialising, talking, drinking coffee, socialising, learning Spanish so that I can socialise bilingually. My housemates and I also like to entertain the idea that we have a band, so much of my spare time is consumed by us upholding this image, attending live music gigs and playing guitar.  I also love to dance.

What do you think your best qualities are?
Possibly laughing at my own jokes (hence highlighting the fact that I think I’m rather funny).  Possibly also the fact that I have perfected the art of looking busy.

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
I was actually entertaining the idea of becoming a pilot or an engineer until a family friend highlighted during my final year at high school that I should work with people in a caring role of some sort.

What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine?
Primarily the idea that my love of talking and my communication skills could be used to the advantage of others.

Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you?
Not particularly, but certainly the support from family and role models in the healthcare setting has encouraged me along the way.

How and why did you decide on General Practice?
It has been a very gradual process however after ‘trying on for size’ many other specialities, I have chosen GP as it offers variety, flexibility, a chance to be involved in community, the prospect of travel and a chance to provide a real continuity of care not always experienced in other fields.

What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation?
GP offers a unique opportunity to be involved in your patients’ lives and to care not only for them, but their community.

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
A good friend of mine was already a GP Ambassador and recommended I consider doing the same at the Northern Hospital; also, I am a strong believer that GP is largely underrepresented in the hospital setting and there are many JMO’s who would like the experience of a general setting in their training years; consequently, providing that link to the junior medical staff really appeals to me.

What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network?
I would like to be able to provide a link between junior medical staff and the organisations responsible for GP training; primarily, I hope to at least be an advocate for those interested in GP whilst completing their hospital training.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
Talk, ask, talk!  Try to get a hold of GP ambassadors, GP registrars, attend careers expos/evenings and join the Going Places Network to learn about the variety of opportunities GP training can provide!  In particular, try to get a PGPPP placement in your first few years to really experience general practice firsthand.

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
By arranging a time to discuss the relevant queries and by providing contacts, links and websites to help consolidate training paths, opportunities and options.

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
As I already mentioned, I believe that GP is largely underrepresented during the early years of medical training and as a result, awareness of opportunities, the appropriate training paths to take and knowledge about training providers is rather minimal.  Joining the Going Places Network enables those interested to really sink their teeth into the variety of settings in which one can practice, the range of opportunities within the program and the necessary requirements for training thereby assisting one to make a well informed career decision.

To contact Erin, email northerngp@gpra.org.au

Hospital: St George Hospital What do your friends call you? Nat

How old are you? 25

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school? Apart from 2 years in Singapore as a child, grew up and went ]]> Name: Natalie Sancandi

Hospital: St George Hospital

What do your friends call you?
Nat

How old are you?
25

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
Apart from 2 years in Singapore as a child, grew up and went to school in Kingsgrove in Sydney. I completed undergraduate medicine at UNSW graduating in 2009.

Are you from a “medical” background?
No

Do you have brothers and sisters?
One sister, 22 and one brother, 16.

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
Favourite pastimes include sports, especially netball as well as cooking and travelling.

What do you think your best qualities are?
Hard-working, passionate and a good listener.

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
When I was about 8, I was always the doctor when playing doctors and nurses.  However, it wasn’t until the end of high school that I was sure of my decision.

What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine?
Studying biology in high school, spending time in a GP practice for work experience and watching RPA on TV.

Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you?
My fiancée and family have been very supportive of my decision, but it was my GP who has been particularly influential by providing me with an insight into life as a GP.

How and why did you decide on General Practice?
My interests are broad and varied and although I knew some specialities I didn’t want to do, I couldn’t make up my mind on which ones I would want to do.  I had always like the idea of general practice and over time began to really appreciate the variety available.  I also liked the idea of the good work/life balance that GP offers and the opportunity to teach which is something else I enjoy.

What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation?
The diversity of medicine and that I can dictate what I want to do.

What do you particularly like about General Practice?
Flexible working hours and I can focus on women’s and children’s health which is something I have always had an interest in.

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
To promote General Practice to interns and residents who are considering PGPPP terms or who have questions about GP as a career.

What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network?
Increase awareness and improve the image of General Practice to interns and residents in particular.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
Find out as much information as possible and then do a PGPPP term because it gives you a great opportunity to see whether GP is the right choice for you.  Also, speak to GP registrars and GPs and ask lots of questions.  Combining these things, you will realise the diversity of options available as a GP including full and part-time, rural and urban practice, sub-specialisation and more!

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
I can talk about my experiences and share my knowledge and refer them to the appropriate resources, as necessary.

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
To find out more information about General Practice but also importantly to develop a network of other doctors interested in a similar vocation and be able to share experiences with them.  This is what I feel is the greatest benefit.

Hospital – Lyell McEwin Hospital

What do your friends call you? – Sara

How old are you? – 24 (though I’ve had a patient think I was 12)

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to ]]> Name – Sara Le

Hospital – Lyell McEwin Hospital

What do your friends call you? – Sara

How old are you? – 24 (though I’ve had a patient think I was 12)

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school? – Born and bred in Adelaide

Are you from a “medical” background? – Not so much, first medical doctor in the family, that I’m aware of.

Do you have brothers and sisters? – 1 gorgeous sister living in Melbourne (she’s a model).

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies? – writing, music, camping (or just sleeping in my swag when I’m out of town).

What do you think your best qualities are? – I try to look for the best in people.

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine? – Got an idea when I went to Women’s and Children’s Hospital on work experience, and thought being a doctor looked fun.

What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine? – Dr Ben Carson was someone I really looked up to and I was dead-set on being a neurosurgeon until I did a complete 180 and decided on rural general practice. I still think he’s a gun though.

Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you? – (woops, see above)

How and why did you decide on General Practice? – I spent a significant amount of my clinical years in the country, and those were some of the happiest times of my medical student life. That and it’s what I know God is calling me to.

What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation? – The fact that it is a generalist specialty! I like the idea of not doing the same thing for the rest of my life, and not knowing what will walk through the door.

What do you particularly like about General Practice? – The opportunity to provide long term care for your patients and (especially in the country) develop a good relationship.

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador? – I thought it would be a good chance to find out more about GP and the program myself, and also network with other people who are interested in GP.

What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network? – Hopefully I can be a friendly face and approachable person for people considering GP, including junior doctors and medical students.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move? – It’s a fantastic opportunity and great if you enjoy variability and working closely with your patients.

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice? – I can offer some personal experience as far as what it is like in a GP setting, and also information about the training itself (and if I don’t know I can point them in the right direction) ☺

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are? – I think it’s a good chance to meet other people also interested in GP, and get a wide variety of opinions about the ups and downs of GP. Even if someone is uncertain about their future choices it’s good to be well-informed and look at all your options.

Hospital: RPA

What do your friends call you? Anna, An

How old are you? 26 Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school? Born in Sydney and have always lived in Sydney. Went to school at Barker College ]]> Name: Anna Elder

Hospital: RPA

What do your friends call you?
Anna, An

How old are you?
26

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
Born in Sydney and have always lived in Sydney. Went to school at Barker College in Hornsby.

Are you from a “medical” background?
No

Do you have brothers and sisters?
Yes, an older brother and sister.

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
Cooking, netball, beach and hanging out with friends and family.

What do you think your best qualities are?
Smiling lots!

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
When my boyfriend (now husband) decided to do medicine. No honestly, within the last few years of high school.

Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you?
No particular person that I can remember.

How and why did you decide on General Practice?
During medical school whilst doing my GP rotation when I was able to see the variety of people and presentations that a GP gets to see each day. And when I realised that it wasn’t all just coughs and colds!

What do you particularly like about General Practice?
The variety of people you get to see and the ability to see a large proportion of children.

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
Help promote GP as a career and attempt to answer questions for people who might be interested.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
Keep an open mind about GP when starting in the hospitals. Take a look at the GPET website and find out the details of the program, when to apply, what terms to do etc. Also ask GPs or registrar why they chose to do GP and what they think the advantages/disadvantages are.

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
Provide basic answers on GP training and direct them to the right people to find out more information. And help organise lots of social events.

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
Keep up to date with information regarding GP training and meet people who also have an interest in GP as a career.

Hospital: Modbury Hospital

What do your friends call you? Chief or Quigs.

How old are you? 26

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school? Born and raised in Adelaide suburbs.

Are you from a “medical” background? Dad’s a dentist, mum’s ]]> Name: Tom Quigley

Hospital: Modbury Hospital

What do your friends call you?
Chief or Quigs.

How old are you?
26

Where are you from originally – and where did you grow-up/go to school?
Born and raised in Adelaide suburbs.

Are you from a “medical” background?
Dad’s a dentist, mum’s a nurse and three uncles are doctors – 2 rural GPs.

Do you have brothers and sisters?
Two brothers, two half-brothers and two step-sisters. And then there’s in-laws …

What are you interests/pastimes/hobbies?
Par 3 golf- normal golf would take me more than a day! Generally otherwise a bit of a relax at home person. Medium term, starting on my private pilot’s license and hoping to incorporate that into rural GP work.

What do you think your best qualities are?
I like to think I am thorough, strategic thinker who is very loyal my patients and colleagues.

When/how did you first know or decide you wanted to study medicine?
Had been a long term possibility since high school.

What were the influences that persuaded you to study medicine?
Family and family friends. I am also a pretty conservative person so an indispensable profession which relied heavily on the sciences and communication were all big appeals at the end of my science degree.

Did anybody in particular influence/persuade you?
Not that I can put my finger on.

How and why did you decide on General Practice?
I undertook the third year of my medical degree rural and like most students training in general practice really enjoyed the more ‘master/ apprentice’ model of studying in the community. It particularly dawned on me that as a rural GP in particular I could enjoy all my own particular areas of interest- preventative/ maintenance health with an internal medicine bent, emergency, and anaesthesia; and have a healthy, delineated lifestyle.

What makes General Practice so special for you as a specialisation?
As above.

What do you particularly like about General Practice?
One = sustainable, meaningful and reasonable intensity work lifestyle. Two = I often have colleagues and supervisors say they are surprised I am not a physician trainee. Whilst I still especially enjoy internal medicine issues I am also awed by the ‘cradle to grave’ knowledge and skill required of general practice in that every 15- 30 minutes a GP must take a history, examine, diagnose, plan, educate and safely discharge/ refer a patient from their care, often only with clinical acumen.

Why did you decide to become a GP Ambassador?
I’ve seen my, and many colleagues, career choice heavily influenced not only by personal experiences but also those inspiring mentors we wish to emulate in a given field of medicine. GP being community based means many junior doctors are unlikely to be exposed to GP experiences but also inspiring GP mentors and I think the ambassador program, in addition to experiences now available with PGPPP, is an important way to put hospital-based junior doctors in touch with GP mentors.

What do you think you can contribute to the Going Places Network?
Passion for GP, an approachable advocate for taking up the profession and considered observations of what will appeal to JMOs in terms of making GP the specialty of choice.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about General Practice as a career move?
There’s now plenty of structured supported ways to be exposed to GP, chiefly PGPPP. Time in PGPP is highly unlikely to be ‘wasted’ as generally a lament of most non-GPs is the quick loss of pertinent knowledge and skills- EG around dermatology; which a PGPPP will at least help you with if nothing else.

How do you think you can help people with questions about General Practice?
I will never be able to answer all questions but I think the most important way to help JMOs with questions is to be friendly and available enough that the get asked. Being in ED I have made a number of JMOs aware I am GP ambassador and this has lead to a number of informal queries and questions on JMOs.

Why would you recommend people should join the Going Places Network and be involved in the activities? What do you think the benefits are?
It’s free, and pertinent.