The RDWA Annual Conference was held on Friday and Saturday at the Adelaide Convention Centre. An exceptional turnout of 93 GPs from across rural South Australia attended the event which focused on the management of child and youth health conditions seen regularly in rural general practice.  Topics included neo-natal emergencies, diabetes, immunisation, mental health, substance use and trauma management.

A pre-conference workshop was attended by 32 doctors on the Fellowship Pathway and focused on musculoskeletal conditions to assist in preparation for Fellowship exams.  

A record number of 94 medicine, allied health and nursing university students attended the student program on Friday, which included key note speakers on leadership, mental health presentations, round table discussions with rural health professionals and a series of clinical skills stations. Twenty students participated in an exclusive opportunity to build prosthetic hands for victims of land-mines in developing countries while in conversation with key health leaders from South Australia.

A fun and entertaining family program ran alongside the conference and included a cooking class for the kids and afternoon tea for parents on Friday, along with trampolining followed by lunch and a native wildlife show on Saturday.

Paediatric Orthopaedic Update, Flinders and Far North
Thursday 19 May 2016 6.30 to 9.00pm, Ian’s Western Hotel, Loudon Road, Port Augusta

Presented by Dr Nicole Williams, this update will assist GPs to identify the indications of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children, describe the investigation processes used lead to the early diagnosis of DDH and be able to recognise the symptoms of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis to lead to correct diagnosis.

For more information and to register for this event please contact Debbie Dohnt at debbie.dohnt@ruraldoc.com.au.

Obesity and Surgery, Eyre Peninsula
Friday 20 May 2016 6.30 to 9.00pm, Mortlock Room, Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln

Presented by Mr Justin Bessell, this presentation will aim to increase GPs knowledge of evidence-based weight management programs, therapies and multidisciplinary interventions for managing obesity and discuss the recommended approach to weight management in children and adolescents. Mr Bessell will also outline the process for identification of suitable patients for Bariatric management of metabolic disease including how to select patients for Bariatric surgery and describe how to manage patients who present with "Bariatric emergencies” or problems after surgery.

For more information and to register for this event, please contact Meredith Carlier at meredith.carlier@ruraldoc.com.au.

Orthopaedic Update, Barossa
Wednesday 23 May 2016 6.30pm start, Wanera Wine Bar, 65 Murray Street, Angaston

Presented by Dr Mark Inglis, Orthopaedic Surgeon, the session will cover management of hip/spine syndrome, approaches to the hip for arthroplasty, identification and management of THR complications and revisions and management of the degenerative knee in the young patient.

Register now for Barossa event. Registrations for this event will be $35.00 to be paid on registration. This fee will include a main course meal, with beverages available for purchase. A receipt will be provided to you after registration for tax purposes.

Dermatology Update, Eyre Peninsula
Wednesday 8 June 2016 6.30 to 9.00pm, Mortlock Room, Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln

Presented by Dr Simon Khoury, this update will assist GPs to improve knowledge on best practice protocols and management plans for common dermatoses; increase knowledge of common dermatoses with atypical presentations and increase awareness of uncommon dermatoses.

For more information and to register for this event, please contact Meredith Carlier at meredith.carlier@ruraldoc.com.au.

The Rural Emergency Skills Program (RESP) workshops are held Friday evening and all day Saturday. Visit RESP for further information on the program and application details.

Enquiries can be directed to Louise Holley at retention@ruraldoc.com.au or phone 08 8234 8277.

This date or location don't suit? You can find out about other RESP workshop dates coming up around the state, visit the Calendar page on the RDWA website.

Do you know a student thinking about studying to be a doctor? Applications are now open for RDWA’s medSPACE Residential Workshop, to be held in Adelaide, 12-14 July 2016. The workshop is for students in Years 10 and 11 with a rural background looking to pursue their dream of studying medicine.

During the three-day workshop, students will visit the universities, learn about the courses and pathways into medicine, as well as how to apply.

Applications will close 5pm Friday 3 June 2016. For more information, please go to medSPACE Residential Workshop or contact Rick Schneider on 08 8234 8277 or email attraction@ruraldoc.com.au.

Register now - medSPACE UMAT Preparation Workshops for 2016
Completing the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT) is a key requirement when applying for medicine or dentistry. RDWA’s medSPACE UMAT Preparation Workshop is for students who have a rural background and need to sit the UMAT for admission into university in 2017.

The program provides you with a comprehensive one-day workshop delivered by MedEntry and will be held:
Adelaide - 21 May 2016
Mount Gambier - 4 June 2016

For more information and to apply, visit medSPACE UMAT Preparation Workshops.
 

The RDWA advises that enrolments for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) second round of KFP and AKT exams for 2016 are closing on Friday 10 June 2016.

The RDWA also advises that enrolments for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) 2016 Semester 2 exams are closing on Saturday 2 July 2016.

If you are a rural South Australian doctor working towards achieving Fellowship and would like to learn more about the RDWA’s Fellowship Strategy Program, please contact Alyssa Bates at FellowshipStrategyProgram@ruraldoc.com.au or on 08 8234 8277.

Country Health SA Local Health Network (CHSALHN) have released a Safety and Quality Alert 'Findings from the State Coroner into the Death of Marie Ford' for information of all country health services and rural doctors. Please see the alert for full information.

SA Pathology have distributed alerts for information of all Country Health SA Local Health Network (CHSALHN) sites and rural doctors. Please see individual items for further information:
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing
False positive Oestradiol results

On behalf of SA Health, the Improvement Foundation will host a series of one day  'Chronic Disease Prevention' workshops within the Adelaide region in May and June. These free workshops aim to assist GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and general practice staff in implementing quality improvement techniques to improve chronic disease prevention. Visit the SA Workshops page on the Improvement Foundation website for further information and to register.