Military Medicine Agreement Signed

Military Medicine Agreement Signed Between Defence and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

An agreement has been signed between the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to establish a Military Medicine Chapter of the RACGP.

Under the agreement, ADF medical members will have the opportunity to work more closely with RACGP members in a wide range of areas. This includes advising the RACGP on the military aspects of general practice, promoting quality general practice within the ADF, post-graduate education opportunities and the accreditation of ADF facilities under RACGP guidelines.

The agreement also covers the establishment of a mentors program for ADF members enrolled in the RACGP training program and enables ADF members to participate in the Annual Scientific Program of the College.

Surgeon General Australian Defence Force, Major General John Pearn said that in peacetime training and during operational service, the individual doctor responsible for the care of Service personnel is subject to great demands and carries most significant responsibilities.

"They need to practice state-of-the-art travel medicine, preventive medicine and health, sports medicine, tropical medicine and emergency trauma response in order to discharge their normal professional duties," he said.

President of the RACGP, Dr Margaret Kilmartin said the agreement acknowledged the diversity of special interests and activities of all general practitioners.

"The agreement is a major step towards improving the opportunities for general practice training for GPs in the Australian Defence Force," she said.

The RACGP was established in 1958 and is the largest clinical academic college and general practitioner body in Australia with over 10,000 members. Its key activities include standards, education, training and research and setting the strategic direction for the future direction of General Practice in Australia.

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