The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) GP Education Program has been developed with funding from the Australian Government's Department of Health as part of the 2018-19 Budget Measure: Preventative Health – support for alcohol and drug abuse.
GPs can enter the program at any level, however GPs applying for Treatment Skills Training will need to meet program eligibility requirements.
Available AOD education programs
Essential Skills Training
What’s involved
- 2.5 hrs self-directed online via gplearning
- 5 RACGP CPD points (2020-22 triennium)
How it benefits you
Essential Skills Training provides a core skills update for GPs wanting to improve their approach to conversations about alcohol and drug use, identify at-risk groups and safely and effectively manage difficult patient behaviours that can arise during GP consults.
How to access
Treatment Skills Training
What’s involved
- 6 hours (3 x 90 mins workshops or self-direct learning modules via gplearning)
- 40 RACGP CPD points
- $1,200 incentive payment
- 1,800 places available
How it benefits you
Treatment Skills Training is designed for GPs who would like to build on their core AOD skills and enhance their ability to engage in safe, open and effective dialogue with patients about their alcohol and drug use, gain their patient’s confidence, assess patient readiness for change and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Applications close April 2021.
How to access
AOD Connect - Project Echo
What’s involved
- AOD Connect: Project ECHO offers RACGP members a dedicated weekly time to gather on Zoom to discuss their AOD patient cases
- Sessions run every Thursday evening on Zoom, from 7.30pm - 8.30pm AEST
- There is no prerequisite to join, all RACGP members currently treating or interested in treating AOD patients are welcome
How it benefits you
The case discussions provide you with an opportunity to learn from your peers’ experiences and the chance for you to share your experiences and insights also.
You will have access to a panel of experts including AOD GPs and an Addiction Medicine Specialist who you can also approach for recommendations and advice. Sessions are predominantly driven by peer learning.