Elevating GP Expertise: A Bespoke Splinting Course in Collaboration with WAPHA

At Benchmarque Group, we take pride in tailoring courses to meet the unique needs of our clients. Over the past year, we've had the privilege of collaborating closely with the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) on several projects, one of which was a specialised splinting course designed exclusively for General Practitioners (GPs).

Customised Learning for GPs: A Splinting Masterclass

Engaged by WAPHA, we were tasked with delivering an intensive one-day splinting and fracture management course for a group of 35 GPs. The venue, the Casino Convention Centre in Perth, provided an ideal setting for this focused injury management course.

Given the GP-specific nature of the course, we reworked our standard splinting course, which is primarily targeted towards practice nurses. Recognising that a significant portion of the theoretical component was likely already familiar to the GPs, we streamlined this section. This adjustment allowed us to dedicate more time to hands-on practical exercises, enabling the GPs to gain valuable experience in applying and removing various types of casts.

RACGP Approved: A Boost to Professional Development

As well as altering our standard injury management course, we took the extra step of submitting it for approval as an RACGP CPD activity. The resulting GP-specific version, titled "Managing Common Fractures in Primary Care," received official recognition from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) (Activity ID: 533182). This approval meant that participating GPs could add five hours to their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.

The breakdown of CPD hours for Managing Common Fractures in Primary Care is as follows:

• Reviewing Performance - 3 Hours
• Educational Activities - 2 Hours

A day of insightful learning

The injury management course for GPs was expertly facilitated by Sharee, our wounds specialist, along with the invaluable support of Andrew, Ali, Nadine, and Andrew from Essity. The day commenced with a concise theory session covering anatomy and physiology, x-ray interpretation, and common breaks and fractures. This was followed by a lively Q&A discussion.

After the theory on the fracture management course, they moved on to the demonstrations and practical activities. Sharee started out by demonstrating a fibreglass arm cast, and then Andrew, from Essity, joined to demonstrate an orthoglass backslab for the leg and arm. Once the demonstrations were finished, participants then had the opportunity to practice casting, further solidifying their newfound skills. While casts dried, attendees explored additional techniques like fitting crutches, slings, moon boots, and self-directed learning. Engaging videos provided supplemental learning on various forms of immobilisation. The course concluded with a practical exercise in cast removal using an oscillating saw, ensuring that every GP felt confident in this essential procedure.

Impactful Training: Reducing ED Dependency

A GP splinting course holds immense significance. Equipped with these updated or refined skills, GPs can play a crucial role in alleviating the burden on Emergency Departments (EDs) by managing simple fractures and breaks until clients can secure appointments at specialised clinics.

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants:

• “Course content was well delivered. The practical sessions were a huge help.”
• “The course was relevant and helpful for anyone involved in urgent care management.
• “Good content, practical, useful, applicable to GP’s”
• “Great refresher for UCC Doctors.”
• “Overall, very worthwhile day”

Continuing Excellence: More RACGP CPD Approved Courses in the Pipeline

As an approved RACGP CPD provider, we're actively working towards getting several of our other courses accredited. Currently, our Course in Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction) and Perform Intravenous Cannulation Courses hold the prestigious RACGP CPD approval.

Interested in GP-specific training? Visit our GP Course page to discover our range of specialised offerings.

Connect with Us

If you're seeking bespoke workshops for your organisation, reach out to John, our Partnerships Manager, at [email protected]. Elevate your team's expertise with Benchmarque Group's tailored training solutions.