RVTS4GP's podcast

How is climate change shaping the health of rural and remote communities—and what can GPs do right now to help?   In this special episode of RVTS4GPs , we bring you the keynote address from Professor Nicholas Talley , recorded at the 2025 RVTS Grand Round: On the Frontline – Rural GPs Caring for Communities in a Changing Climate .     Professor Talley speaks with passion and urgency about the heal...

Welcome to this very special podcast episode where we discuss in-depth the recent Medical Journal of Australia supplement collection of five research articles highlighting the successes of the RVTS programme . I am joined by RVTS CEO Dr Pat Giddings and Assoc. Profe ssor Belinda O'Sullivan from the University of Queensland who conducted the research that led to the publications.   This episode wil...

In this episode of RVTS4GP's, we have two excerpts taken from our popular first-year webinar on Men's Health. The presenter is Dr Justin Coleman, a very experienced GP currently working in Brisbane in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Justin has a vast experience in medical education, including being a co-editor for Murtagh's General Practice.   The two topics reviewed briefly in this...

This e pisode is Part 2 of a two-part conversation  with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice.   This is an important topic that GP registrars are advised to discuss with...

In this episode, we sit down for Part One of a two-part conversation with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice.   This is an important topic that GP registrars are advised...

Filling out certificates seems to constitute an increasing part of a GP's job. The variety and sheer number of different forms to be familiar with can be difficult for GP registrars starting out in General Practice in Australia. Certificate completion requiring a degree of urgency, can occur unexpectedly in the middle of an already busy day. Certificates can be time-consuming and challenging, espe...

In this fourth and final episode from our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the views of an RVTS Board member and experienced rural GP and Public Health practitioner, Dr Jacki Mein. Dr Jacki discusses teamwork, workforce shortages and rural generalism .      RVTS 2023 Grand Round Series : Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings an...

In this third episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the experiences of one of our dedicated RVTS supervisors, Dr Akil Islam. His journey into rural health was via a rurally bonded medical student scheme for Australian medical graduates. His experiences highlight the joys and challenges of living and working rurally in General Practice in...

In this second episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt highlighting the experiences of Dr Thilan Walgamuge , a previous RVTS registrar, now a fellow of the RACGP, General Practice owner and regional business award winner. Dr Thilan highlights some very practical aspects of what could make it easier for people to settle and work as a GP in rural areas and some of the many ch...

Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart .  Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Health, shedding light on specific barriers they fa...

Hypotheticals: The Near Misses that haunt us all  - Part 1 "To err is human" and as GP's, we all make mistakes. In this excerpt taken from our recent Grand Round 2022, we look at the mistakes that we make and look at some key strategies for managing those difficult situations and tips for how to prevent them. It is run in a "hypothetical " manner where we look at a case and hear from a panel of ex...

"To err is human" and as GP's, we all make mistakes. This is Part two in a two part series from our recent Grand Round 2022, where we look at the mistakes that we make and look at some key strategies for managing those difficult situations and tips for how to prevent them. It is run in a "hypothetical " manner,  where we discuss a case and hear from our panel of experts  Dr George Cerchez, a GP ex...

This is Part 2 of a 3 part series on Common GP Presentations As we continue looking at Common GP Presentations, we discuss the initial approach to 3 more patients that present with conditions that are frequently seen in General Practice. 

There are certain presentations we see commonly as GPs. At this time of the year, with new GP Registrars starting training, we know that the common can seem daunting to those new to general practice, and that common presentations have common pitfalls.  In this webinar excerpt from a few years ago, I discuss some common presentations with Meryl Nicol, a previous RVTS Registrar, now one of the Medic...

2021 was another challenging year! Yet here we are on the other side, stronger than before.   Looking back at the year that's been:   COVID hasn't stopped us from keeping everyone engaged.  Webinars, online activities and resources, and teleCTVs supported registrars in training, along with the usual remote supervision and support from the admin and education teams.

Following on from Part 1 of the RVTS Grand Round : Derm "Stump the Chump" with Associate Professor Jim Muir, we present Case 2 from the webinar earlier this year. In this case, Jim again correctly identifies the case presented, gives a useful list of differentials, and discusses the investigations recommended for a patient presenting with a itchy, scaly, patchy erythematous rash.

The 2021 RVTS Grand Round focussed on Dermatology with a round of "Stump the Chump" with living legend and well known QLD dermatologist, Associate Professor Jim Muir.  Various derm cases were presented to Jim to determine the diagnosis. Needless to say, Jim was spot on each time, and we all learned from his insights and discussion.

This month, in our final excerpt from the "Tropic Medicine" webinar, we look at Rickettsial Diseases with Prof McBride. This is part 3 in a 3 part series. We've discussed Melioidosis and Leptospirosis and Dengue Fever in the previous excerpts.

The first RVTS workshop of the year was held as a virtual event during April.  Registrars are located all over Australia, and were able to join the workshop from their homes or practices, joining in for high quality training without the risks of travel in our current climate.  The 3 day event for the 3 cohorts covered various topics including GP Emergencies, Dental Emergencies, Obstetrics, Paediat...

Dengue fever is not endemic in Australia, however, we do have mosquitoes that can spread the virus and outbreaks do occur due to imported cases.  Severe dengue (also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children.  Diagnosing it early and initiating supportive treatment can be life-saving.  It's therefore worth reminding ourselves of this import...

If you live in FN Queensland and a patient presents feeling unwell with a fever after a flood, on your differential list, you'd need to consider Melioidosis and Leptospirosis.  If you don't actually live in northern Australia, you may feel you need to brush up on your knowledge of those 2 differentials. And you're in luck... This month we listen in on a webinar excerpt with Professor John McBride...

RVTS Medical Educators (MEs) all share a passion for rural, remote, and Aboriginal Medical Services, registrar education, and supporting doctors on their General Practice journey. The ME team was recently interviewed, and each one was asked to identify something that would contribute to registrar success in general practice training in 2021.

The 2021 training year has just begun at RVTS, and we've caught up with Dr Pat Giddings, RVTS CEO, GP and GP Obstetrician, to talk about the year that's been and the year ahead.  Dr Giddings shares what he believes makes RVTS successful, and gives his "TOP TIP" for Registrars for 2021.

What a year it's been.  As 2020 draws to a close, I will not even attempt to comment on what has been a most extraordinary year, except to say that we would like to salute the RVTS Registrars, supervisors and staff for their courage and perseverance, their passion and understanding, their strength and commitment and their support for each other.  We acknowledge the uncertainty and the sacrifices o...

As we observed NAIDOC Week in November, many RVTS registrars and staff used the opportunity to attend (mainly online) events to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  RVTS Acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and seas on which we live and work, and pays respect to elders: past, present and future.  Events during NAIDOC wee...