Looking Forward, Looking Back, The Journey Of General Practice, 11-12 October, Hobart, Tasmania

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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This weekend, the Tasmania Faculty of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and St Lukes Health are hosting a public, interactive exhibit to showcase the historical journey of general practice. Running from 11 - 12 October visitors can see this exhibition at Mawson's Pavilion, Constitution Dock, Hobart. Lara Giddings, Minister of Health, together with Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President, will formally open the exhibit to the public on Saturday 11 October at 10.30 am.

"Our college's 50 year history is a proud one, and this exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase the journey of general practice and to honour our achievements and advances," said Dr Chris Mitchell, who grew up in Tasmania.

"This engaging exhibit has been developed to display the changing face of modern general practice, to give a fascinating glimpse into Tasmania's medical history and to explore the evolution of modern medical practice," said Professor Peter Mudge, Chair of RACGP Council and Chair of the RACGP Tasmania Faculty.

Taking an interactive pathway through time, the public will be invited into a 1950's medical practice that will showcase not only the physical setting of the era, but a fascinating collection of medical curiosities and memorabilia. Hosted by a GP dressed as a doctor would have dressed at the time, participants will enjoy a guided tour, looking back at general practice over the past 50 years and forward into the future.

As the journey continues the public will be offered a glimpse into the future, with a teaser of what may lie ahead for our profession. Participants will have the opportunity to speak with local GPs, gaining insight into the life of a GP in 2008. Participating GPs will reflect the diversity of the modern general practice workforce.

"This exhibition has been developed to celebrate general practice in Tasmania by profiling its emergence as the modern, multidisplinary health service that we know today. Our aim is to provide a window through which the public can view our journey and recognise the considerable leap that has taken place in a relatively short space of time. In addition, we also hope to perhaps spark interest among students who may be the future of our profession," said Prof Mudge.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 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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