Many patients at risk of HIV (e.g., men who have sex with men or those how travel to high HIV prevalence countries) regularly attend General Practice for a broad range of health conditions which gives GP unique opportunities to prevent transmission in the community. 

This podcast features two GPs Dr Michael Burke and Dr Miriam Grotowski and a community representative Jimmy Yu Hsiang Chen to inform GPs when and how to offer testing, PrEP, PEP for HIV utilising evidence-based guidelines and extensive practice experience. Assessing HIV risk  part of sexual health prevention activities detailed in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice. 9th edn, updated. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2018. (last update 08-12-2021).

The panelists discuss: 
•	How to recognise at-risk patient groups for HIV/STI testing
•	Identify challenges and solutions for discussing and providing HIV prevention in General Practice 
•	What tailored GP tools and resources can make HIV prevention in General Practice faster and easier. 

Helpful links:

Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) 
https://www.shil.nsw.gov.au/ 
SHIL’s aim is to promote the sexual health of the NSW community through providing accurate and timely information and referral options. The service specialises in HIV and STI risk assessment, testing, treatment and support. SHIL also provide specialist support to nurses, doctors, counsellors and other professionals who are caring for people with sexual health problems and are open from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

ASHM Decision Making in PrEP tool
 https://www.ashm.org.au/resources/decision-making-in-prep/ 
This 2-page Decision Making in PrEP tool provides a prescribing pathway which summarises the key eligibility and recommended assessment for primary care providers in Australia who wish to prescribe PrEP and the ongoing patient education and monitoring requirements.

NSW Sexual Health Clinics finder: 
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth/Pages/sexual-health-clinics.aspx 

RACGP On-demand webinar PrEP webinar 
https://www.racgp.org.au/racgp-digital-events-calendar/online-event-items/on-demand/prep-prescribing-for-gps 
This 1 hour CDP endorsed webinar teaches the 5 steps all GPs can use to use quickly, safely and easily to prevent HIV infection. 

Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care https://sti.guidelines.org.au/ 
The Guidelines are an online resource for primary care health professionals. They provide concise information to support the prevention, testing, diagnosis, management and treatment of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) for adults and adolescents and are frequently cited and referenced by other guidelines.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)– Free to GPs 
https://www.tisnational.gov.au/ 
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people who do not speak English. The TIS National immediate phone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for the cost of a local call for any person or organisation in Australia who needs an interpreter just call 131 450.

HIV Prevention in General Practice (PrEP, PEP, condoms, testing and treatment)

Stigma and discrimination faced by people with lived or living experience of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can create barriers for people seeking care and can result in people seeking services only when their physical and psychological needs are acute or avoiding services altogether. On the other hand, respectful relationships between patient and healthcare providers can improve communication and lead to better therapeutic relationships and health outcomes for patients. General practitioners play a pivotal role in supporting access to care but also in supporting healthy lifestyles.

This podcast aims to raise awareness of the impact of stigma and discrimination and to give General Practitioners the opportunity to reflect on attitudes and behaviours that may impact patients with a lived experience of AOD use. It also touches on the implementation of SafeScript NSW and using this opportunity to engage with patients about their care and support needs.

It is an insightful discussion in a three-part series between a GP, Dr James Ibrahim, the CEO of NSW Users and AIDS Association, Dr Mary Harrod together and three consumers – Frannie, Kevin and Anna, who have generously shared their stories and experience.

• Episode 1: Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Frannie discuss stigma and discrimination and the importance of language in patient interactions

• Episode 2: Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Kevin discuss the patient experience of stigma and discrimination and how it affects patient care and outcomes

• Episode 3:Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Anna discuss SafeScript – how to approach the conversation with patients and use the opportunity for broader discussions about patient care

Resources:

Language Matters Resource (www.nada.org.au/resources/language-matters/) provides workers with best-practice guidelines on how to use language to empower patients and reinforce a person-centred approach.

SafeScript NSW (www.safescript.health.nsw.gov.au/health-p…itioners provides prescribers and pharmacists with real-time information about a patient’s prescribing and dispensing history for certain high-risk medicines such as opioids and benzodiazepines to improve clinical decision making and patient safety.

Stigma and Discrimination: Episode 3

Stigma and Discrimination: Episode 2

Stigma and Discrimination: Episode 1

The Gender Centre
https://gendercentre.org.au/ 
The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and activities, which enhance the ability of transgender, gender diverse and gender exploring people make informed choices.  The Centre is recognised as a centre of excellence in NSW through an ASES Award Accreditation, (Australian Service Excellence Standards) and nationally in the delivery of front line specialist multi-purpose services aimed at supporting the transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning community across all stages of transition (pre- mid and post transition).
The service offers support from staff with highly specialised qualifications, skills, experience and capabilities. Allowing the team to respond to the unique needs of this client group through the provision of specialist counselling, psychological and other allied health services, outreach support, case-management, family and youth support, homelessness prevention and intervention services, and referrals to help people navigate the health care system in a safe and culturally competent space. The Gender Centre also undertakes advocacy work, resource development, stakeholder training and corporate education. We also operate as a secondary needle & syringe program (NSP) outlet

TransHub
A digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, loved ones, allies, and health providers.
https://www.transhub.org.au/ 

Maple Leaf House - Transgender & Gender Diversity (under 25)
Provides multi-disciplinary healthcare to trans and gender diverse young people up to the age of 25 years in rural and regional areas of NSW. 
A GP referral is required.

For further information Health care workers can refer to: https://www.hnekidshealth.nsw.gov.au/specialist_services/gender 

Australian STI management guidelines for use in Primary Care
the Guidelines are an online resource for primary care health professionals. They provide concise information to support the prevention, testing, diagnosis, management and treatment of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) for adults and adolescents
https://sti.guidelines.org.au/populations-and-situations/trans-and-gender-diverse-people/ 

NSW Sexual Health Clinics
Find your local clinic for support and referral here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth/Pages/sexual-health-clinics.aspx 

Equinox (online GP led and focused resources – Melbourne based)
https://equinox.org.au/resources/

t150 (Surry Hills, Sydney)
http://thealbioncentre.org.au/clinical-services/t150/

Self-collected STI specimens poster and other resources
https://stipu.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/DIY-sheet-2020.pdf 
https://stipu.nsw.gov.au/gp/hiv-and-sti-clinical-management/ 

ASHM Decision making in PrEP tool
https://ashm.org.au/resources/decision-making-in-prep/

STI & HIV Care for Transgender People in General Practice

Non-Fatal Strangulation can occur as a result of misadventure or injury, but can also occur in the context of domestic and family violence, self-harm, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect or assault by a non-family member. These specific contexts will result in important psychosocial considerations during assessment and management. 

This podcast will offer clinical support for GP’s managing adult and paediatric patients who present with NFS in the context of violence and abuse. It aims to improve patient care by increasing GP’s awareness of the potential risks and injuries resulting from NFS; by outlining appropriate assessment and management or care coordination of an episode of NFS; and the importance of follow up for people who have experienced NFS who are a population at high risk of poor outcomes.

Responding to non-fatal strangulation – what you cannot see

This podcast is an opportunity for GPs to learn the outcome of two recent studies focused on e-cigarette surveillance commissioned by NSW Health.  The University of Wollongong studied the contents of e-cigarettes currently available in NSW and the NSW Poisons Information Centre monitored and investigated accidental e-cigarette poisoning exposures.

Carolyn Murray, Director, Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Strategy at the NSW Ministry of Health will talk to Dr Celine Kelso and Dr Jody Moller, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience at the University of Wollongong and A/Prof Darren Roberts, Toxicologist from the NSW Poisons Information Centre about their studies.

Resources:
The facts about vaping - Tobacco and smoking (nsw.gov.au) https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping.aspx.
The Vaping Toolkit has evidence-based, practical resources on vaping for young people, health professionals, teachers, parents and carers.

Guide to Support Young People to Quit E-Cigarettes - Tobacco and smoking (nsw.gov.au)
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarette-young-people-guide.aspx
Supports health professionals to effectively address e-cigarette use, support young people to manage nicotine withdrawals, and assist young people in quitting e-cigarettes.

NSW E-Cigarette Analysis Project - Summary Report - Tobacco and smoking
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarette-analysis-project-summary-report.aspx
This project undertook e-cigarette liquid sample analyses by carrying out gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of 750 samples of e-liquids extracted from devices seized or confiscated in NSW. 

E-cigarette Child Safety Pamphlet - Tobacco and smoking (nsw.gov.au)
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarette-child-safety.aspx
Advice to parents and families about the importance of child safety around e-cigarettes and highlights the risk of nicotine poisoning in children.

NSW Poisons Information Centre can be contacted on 13 1126
https://www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au/

E-cigarette surveillance and safety in NSW

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability but is fully preventable. GPs can play an important role in the prevention of FASD through primary and secondary prevention strategies. 

This podcast will provide an overview of the impact of alcohol during pregnancy. Prevention strategies such as conversations around pregnancy and alcohol, screening, detection and raising community awareness will be discussed. Information on how to support women who are at risk of drinking will also be discussed.

Resources

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol

RACGP guidelines for preventive activities in general practice: https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Clinical%20Resources/Guidelines/Red%20Book/Guidelines-for-preventive-activities-in-general-practice.pdf

Every Moment Matters: https://everymomentmatters.org.au/

Every Moment Matters AUDIT-C Factsheet: https://everymomentmatters.org.au/wp-content/uploads/FARE_A4_FactSheet_Using-AUDIT-C-In-Practice.pdf

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Hub - https://www.fasdhub.org.au/

FASD Hub Preventative Strategies - https://www.fasdhub.org.au/fasd-information/prevention-strategies/

FASD Hub Alcohol and Pregnancy - https://www.fasdhub.org.au/alcohol--pregnancy/

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Strong Born campaign - https://www.naccho.org.au/fasd/strong-born/

Your Room: https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/

Medcast ‘Supporting alcohol-free pregnancy and safe breastfeeding’ e-learning: https://medcast.com.au/courses/596

Preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Positive interactions with primary healthcare providers can be game changing for patients interested in managing their weight and health. Hear expert insights from GPs and personal stories to learn how sensitive and evidence-based conversations can reduce stigma and lead to better health outcomes for consumers. Plus, you’ll hear about new training available for GPs to lead more positive conversations (delivered by the Obesity Collective).

Enhancing obesity care: expertise meets lived experience

The RACGP NSW&ACT has partnered with the NSW Ministry of Health to better engage GPs with health updates, patient programs and GP education relevant to routine general practice. 

For any enquiries please email nswact.webinar@racgp.org.au

HIV Prevention in General Practice (PrEP, PEP, condoms, testing and treatment)

RACGP & NSW Health - The GP Edition

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