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Women’s health matters – the GP conference highlighted this theme at Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown on Sunday, November 3.
Presented by South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN), the conference attracted 79 GPs from across the region. All were keen to hear the latest updates in women’s health and take part in lively question and answer sessions.
The role of GPs in supporting women’s health
GPs play a significant role in women’s health. Women’s health related matters are the fifth most reported reason for visits to general practice.
Women experience different health outcomes and can present with health conditions differently to men. They also experience family, sexual and domestic violence at a significantly higher rate.
Given these factors it is important for GPs to recognise the signs and symptoms of many different health conditions. They must understand treatment options and referral pathways available. GPs are also the first contact for many women planning to have children, or after birth, and these periods can be vital for preventing negative health outcomes.
Topics covered
A range of guest speakers covered women’s health topics at the one-day conference. These included managing pre-pregnancy for women with diabetes, postnatal physiotherapy guidelines, breast cancer survivorship, stroke in women, and menopause services.
SWSPHN’s Kathryn Dovey said dividing the day into different subject streams gave the GPs a chance to concentrate on what interested them most.
“There was variation in the streams with different topics proving popular, but the number one choice out of all the options was the talk about menopause,” Ms Dovey said.
Positive feedback and high engagement
“Some GPs commented that they struggled to choose a talk because they were all equally interesting and they wished they had been able to attend all of the sessions.”
Ms. Dovey said attendees warmly received the guest speakers, who represented a wide range of respected professions within their specialties.
“There was a lot of engagement and interest in the opening plenary which was on endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as on the closing one which was about family, sexual and domestic violence,” she said.
“Questions were asked throughout presentations, and the GPs were very engaged, happy to participate in the Menti quizzes and discussions. Those present appeared to really enjoy the day. There was a lot of positive energy and comments around how great it was, only with a desire to have more days like this.”
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