Genetic Conditions Handbook Launched For GPs, Australia

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 25 Sep 2007 - 19:00 PST

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General Practitioners across Australia will soon have access to a unique resource enabling them to quickly and easily access information on genetic conditions for their patients.

Genetics in Family Medicine: The Australian Handbook for General Practitioners was released by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, and Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane.

Mr Abbott said the handbook had been developed in response to the demand for support material for GPs dealing with genetic medicine in their everyday practice.

"Genetic medicine is a constantly evolving field and this handbook, produced by Biotechnology Australia, addresses key genetic issues such as cancer in the family, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and many inherited conditions," Mr Abbott said.

"This handbook will help GPs provide information on genetic conditions to patients and make appropriate referrals."

Mr Macfarlane said the handbook was a definitive resource for GPs and one which would prove invaluable in their daily practices.

"This is the only national resource of its kind available," Mr Macfarlane said.

The handbook was developed by the Genetics Education in Medicine Consortium which consulted GPs, consumers and experts in genetics to produce a relevant and targeted handbook for everyday use by GPs.

"I am delighted that the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is ensuring this handbook is widely available to GPs," Mr Macfarlane said.

Copies of the handbook will be made available at the 50th annual conference of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in Sydney on 7 October, and will be also available online at http://www.gpgenetics.edu.au.

http://www.health.gov.au