Registrar Report - Chronic Disease Post

Report from GP Registrar undertaking Special/Extended Skills Post in Chronic Disease at Inala 14/1/08-13/7/08

I am currently undertaking a 6 month special skills placement with the Inala Chronic Disease Program specifically Diabetes management in conjunction with the Endocrine Department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.  The team involved in the program is comprehensive including an endocrine specialist, GP fellows, diabetes educators, a psychologist, a podiatrist and a dietitian. 

I see patients every Tuesday morning for half a day and then see regular GP patients on Tuesday afternoon.  In the first 4-6 weeks of the rotation I mainly observed the consulting process learning the computer system and all the administrative requirements that are an important process of managing patients.  After the 6th week of the rotation I was allocated my own patient load to see.  Since that time I have been on a huge learning curve with respect to the management of diabetes.  All management plans are made under supervision of Dr Russell, the specialist whom I have found to be extremely approachable and dedicated to teaching. 

I have found the team to be very friendly, welcoming and are at all times helpful and supportive.  Whilst at times the patient load is heavy and the time pressures challenging, I have really enjoyed seeing this patient group and have learnt an enormous amount about diabetes.  I highly recommend this placement to other GP registrars who are interested in better managing diabetes.