Medical Forum Live - and our new CPD Hub

The event was part of our continued commitment to bring you more CPD content that's easy to access and complete. As part of that we've revamped our website, so you can manage your subscriptions, keep track of your CPD and save articles to complete later.

Two months after Medical Forum Live, which gave attendees the opportunity to earn up to 22 CPD hours including audits, Medical Forum has launched our CPD Hub where you can access CPD content, complete hours and save content for later.

It includes clinical updates and podcasts, giving you flexibility in how and when you learn. If you're a RACGP member, your hours will automatically be added into your RACGP CPD home.

Audience members enjoyed 10 talks from colleagues throughout the day

Education was also the aim of the day as more than 130 GPs and specialists gathered at the Pan Pacific in Perth for Medical Forum Live in May. From GLP-1s and cardiometabolic overlap in general practice, to emergency department referrals and menopause consults, there was something for everyone in the 10 talks held across the day.

Dr Taro Okamoto was the first talk of the day, speaking to the audience about shoulder complaints and how to manage them in general practice. The upper limb orthopaedic surgeon was speaking from experience too - he's had not one, but two, orthopaedic surgeries. That puts a whole new spin on 'practice what you preach'.

Dr Taro Okamoto gave the audience a real time demonstration on shoulder mobility.

Views from an ED doctor

Something GPs see on a regular basis is a patient who might need to go to the emergency department (ED), but Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency physician Dr Tracey Bhar gave the audience pause for thought before referring to the ED.

Sharing a picture of her triage screen from just a few days before the event, Dr Bhar pointed to patients who had been waiting in the ED for up to 88 hours. It's a picture that is becoming common place as the hospital system faces a growing population and increased demand.

"I can go home, have dinner with my family, have a good night's sleep and come back the next day and they are still there. I never thought I'd be doing continuity of care in the ED, but I'm doing continuity of care now," she said.

Dr Tracey Bhar spoke of the pressures on EDs and the role GPs could play.

Her solution doesn't fix the system, but it may reduce pressure on ED. She encouraged GPs to call ahead of referring to double check it is the right hospital to send them to, with the right specialities available.

"The system is still quite segmented. Ideally all hospitals would have all of the specialities, but we just don't," she said.

"So, if your patient is unwell and needs to go to the ED today, pick up the phone and give us a call.

"It doesn't fix the system, but for that patient you may have saved them hours of waiting and stress."

In between talks, exhibitors including Novartis, GSK, Medtronic, Lawley, Besins, Aspen and Avant were on hand to chat to attendees about the services they offer and how they may benefit patients. Speakers were able to connect with GPs at their own exhibitor stands, offering them the chance to explain their services and make professional connections for future referrals.

Throughout the day GPs and specialists caught up with colleagues and friends, earned CPD hours and were kept sustained with free coffee - always a must at these events - provided by Clinicare Pharmacy and Westbridge. A buffet lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea was provided to keep everyone well-fed.

Dr Michael Hancock spoke about the cardio metabolic overlap in general practice.

Lipids and GLP-1s

Speaking of keeping everyone sustained and blood sugars steady, part of the day focused on optimising lipids in primary care and the cardiometabolic overlap in general practice, including the onset of GLP-1s and how they are used to manage diabetes and other metabolic concerns.

Endocrinologist Dr Michael Hancock, who gave up time on his birthday to attend Medical Forum Live, spoke about the benefits of GLP-1s and SGLT2 inhibitors beyond diabetes management. As the cardiovascular, blood pressure, kidney benefits and more become understood about these drugs, Dr Hancock predicted they would become more widely used.

Answering a question about patients gaining weight back after using GLP-1s, and whether there was a place for microdosing these drugs, he said they will become a mainstay of treatment.

"I think if you went from the dose you were on, to achieve what you achieved, and then you stop, you will have those hormonal changes, your weight will go back up.

"I genuinely think our future is long-term use of these therapies.

"It's not just weight, it's the metabolic changes as well, I think our society is just going to have these going forward."

Speaking of blood sugars... attendees were kept energised with a buffet lunch.

Other talks focused on menopause consults, vaccinations in older adults, critical limb ischaemia, red eye presentations and heart murmurs.

Common claims and complaints that GPs face were also a topic of discussion, and a timely one given the increase in Ahpra notifications recorded in the regulators latest annual report.

Throughout the day attendees could earn up to 22 CPD hours, gaining a mix of both educational activities, reflective practice and measuring outcomes hours.

Talks proved popular

Feedback from GPs highlighted the relevance of talks and variety of topics.

"I really enjoyed it. Sessions were relevant, informative, current, engaging, and a good length. Breaks were well spaced and the food and trade stalls were also really good," one GP said.

Another said: "Concise and focused on common GP topics and dilemmas we face in daily practice."

Others noted the easy-to-digest approach to the day. "It was excellent without having too many facts crammed into too little time."

Dr Cathryn Higgins was the lucky inner of a diamond necklace from Scagnetti Jewellers.

Perhaps one of the more glittering aspects of the day was the chance to win a diamond necklace courtesy of Scagnetti jewellers. All attendees went into the draw to win, but only one who stayed until the end would go home with the gem. Dr Cathryn Higgins from Rokeby GP was the lucky winner and, if her reaction was anything to go by, she was very pleased with the result.

Needless to say, the team at Medical Forum were thrilled attendees were happy and we can't wait to be back here again. Watch this space for 2027.

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