GPs Wanted To Contribute To RACGP Integrative Medicine Faculty The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 26 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling on interested members to help participate in the development of the proposed Integrative Medicine (IM) Faculty, a sub-faculty of the specific interest faculty of the RACGP.

The proposed sub-faculty is formed in collaboration with the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA). This initiative is part of the wider college efforts to develop faculties of specific interest for GPs.

The proposed IM sub-faculty will provide an accreditation system and education standards for doctors practicing in Australia under the umbrella of the college.

"The IM sub-faculty aims to uphold the highest standards of education and professional development with the support of the wide array of resources, which the RACGP offers and then to provide ongoing support to medical professionals, who choose to advance their knowledge in this important area," said Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, GP from Clayton, Victoria and Chair, RACGP-AIMA joint working party.

"In order to maintain these educational standards, the IM faculty has established a set of guidelines for courses that have an emphasis on the evidence-base, safety and clinical relevance to general/medical practice," said Dr Vicki Kotsirilos.

Areas of interest will include mind-body medicine such as hypnosis and meditation, evidence-based nutritional & environmental medicine and evidence-based herbal medicine. There will also be emphasis on safety issues and minimising risk to patients care.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

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