Telstra Health partners with RACGP for integrated CPD

Telstra Health has been appointed as the latest Major Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Provider for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), which will offer general practitioners (GPs) using MedicalDirector Clinical software a seamless integration of CPD activities within their workflows.

This partnership allows RACGP members to access CPD activities approved by the RACGP as part of their daily routines, streamlining the process by integrating it within their existing practice management systems.

The announcement coincides with the new CPD requirements for GPs introduced by the Medical Board of Australia in January 2023, which some practitioners have found challenging, particularly the Measuring Outcomes (MO) and Reviewing Performance (RP) components.

Telstra Health's approach integrates CPD into MedicalDirector Clinical through its Smart Connected Care tools, which include Clinical Decision Support, Smart Visual Dashboards, and Smart Research developed in collaboration with Praxhub.

These tools transform routine activities conducted by GPs into CPD opportunities, helping to alleviate the administrative burden associated with CPD and allowing GPs to concentrate more on patient care.

Dr Janice Tan, Clinical Director at Telstra Health and a practising GP, commented, "Supporting GPs to meet their CPD requirements shouldn't add to their workload—it should fit naturally into their workflow. By integrating CPD into MedicalDirector Clinical, we're not just helping GPs meeting regulatory requirements, we're empowering GPs to deliver better patient care while saving them precious time and reducing stress."

The initial CPD programme by Telstra Health is anticipated to launch within MedicalDirector software in the first half of 2025. This programme will furnish GPs with educational content and the means to apply this knowledge practically, while simplifying the reporting process.

Activities completed will be automatically logged in the GPs' RACGP myCPD home account, thus cutting down on administrative tasks.

Prof David Wilkinson, National Clinical Lead at RACGP and a practising GP, added, "Telstra Health's CPD solution is designed with GPs in mind. Our goal is to help GPs not only meet their CPD requirements but also focus on improved outcomes. GPs are always developing their clinical knowledge as part of their practice. With Telstra Health, RACGP members have access to everyday CPD that automatically captures the continuous improvement GPs do when they focus on patient-centred care."

This integration signifies Telstra Health's commitment to supporting healthcare professionals by offering solutions that are both practical and accessible, contributing to enhanced healthcare results throughout Australia.

GPs can expect the rollout of the first Telstra Health-approved RACGP CPD activities in early 2025.