MEDIA RELEASE 25 March 2008
Honours Awarded for Excellence in GP Education
The General Practice Students’ Network (GPSN) today launched the GPSN Honour Roll, a scheme that publicly recognizes
individual general practitioners and clinics that make outstanding contributions to education and training.
GPSN Chair Joe Rotella said while many students enjoyed positive experiences in general practice during their formative
years, there existed no means of formally recognizing the individuals who made these experiences so worthwhile.
“Inspiring and dedicated teachers in general practice are an invaluable resource, especially in the face of the general practice
workforce shortage. These individuals are an essential part of GPSN’s push to encourage more students into general
practice,” Mr Rotella said.
“Students are able to nominate a general practitioner or clinic for the Honour Roll who they feel has provided an outstanding
clinical experience. This allows the clinicians’ efforts to be formally acknowledged and may serve as a beacon to attract
medical students to the practice in the future.
“Excellence in teaching can be demonstrated in all facets of the clinician’s practice whether it be in the consulting room,
teaching a procedure or simply sharing a passion for general practice,” he said.
GPSN also announced the very first inductee to the Honour Roll, David Iser a general practitioner in Foster, Victoria.
“Dr Iser is an exceptional teacher, committed to fostering positive experiences in general practice for his students. He is
currently expanding his practice to include accommodation and tutorial rooms to enhance students’ learning,” Mr Rotella
said.
GPSN is a student-run organization that promotes general practice amongst medical students and the wider community.
GPSN is a joint venture of General Practice Registrars Australia and the Australian Medical Students’ Association and is
supported by General Practice Education and Training.
The GPSN Honour Roll is available at gpsn.org.au.
Wednesday 26 March
Media Contacts
Joe Rotella 0409 972 438
GPSN Chair
Carly Fox 0414 798 627
AMSA Public Relations Officer
MEDIA RELEASE 13 March 2008
GPSN Launches Student Scholarship Scheme
The General Practice Students’ Network (GPSN) today launched the GPSN Schwartz First Wave Program, a scholarship scheme to attract medical students into general practice.
The scheme was launched by Health Minister Nicola Roxon this morning at the GPSN Breathing NEWLIFE Conference, which brings together medical students from universities all over Australia with an interest in general practice. GPSN Chair Joe Rotella said the scheme aims to foster early positive experiences in general practice that will encourage medical students to choose general practice as a career.
“The First Wave Program offers first year medical students a structured positive exposure to general practice with a dedicated general practice mentor,” Mr Rotella said.
“Students will undertake placements in outer metropolitan general practice or academic general practice with a dedicated GP preceptor,” he said.
Currently, some 600 graduates enter general practice training each year. Projections indicate that this number needs to increase to 1,200 by 2012 to fulfil workforce requirements.
“There exists an imperative for stakeholders in health to actively encourage growth of the general practice workforce."
"This scheme represents an extremely positive step forward in addressing this issue,” Mr Rotella said.
GPSN is a student-run network for medical students. GPSN is a joint venture of the General Practice Registrars’ Association and the Australian Medical Students’ Association and is supported by General Practice Education and Training.
Wednesday 19 March
Media Contacts
Joe Rotella 0409 972 438 GPSN Chair
Carly Fox 0414 798 627 AMSA Public Relations Officer
Amit Vohra 0431 909 502 GPRA CEO
MEDIA RELEASE 4 May 2007
General Practice Student Network
General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd. in collaboration with the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) today announces the launch of the General Practice Student Network (GPSN). GPSN’s primary role is to function as a General Practice interest group, seeking to promote the benefits of a life and career in General Practice, as well as address the mistruths that foster negative perceptions about the specialty.
“Building on from the successful Mentors program, GPRA is keen to keep its focus in enhancing and promoting the image of General Practice amongst medical students”, said Managing Director of GPRA Mr. Amit Vohra.
Mr. Rob Mitchell, AMSA National President said, “AMSA is keen to support this initiative and we hope to bring back some of the ‘prestige’ to the profession. The GPSN will be fundamental in fostering medical student interest in the specialty of General Practice.”
Mr. Joe Rotella, AMSA National Coordinator and an enthusiastic medical student who has already committed to a career in General Practice, will become the first Chair of the GPSN. “The GPSN aims to become the largest student network promoting General Practice, and is the only one of its kind”, he said.
The primary objectives of the GPSN are to:
- facilitate networking between students interested in General Practice
- provide an avenue for medical students to nurture an interest in General Practice
- promote the specialty of General Practice to medical students through medical student ambassadors
“Initiatives such as the GPSN will facilitate informed career decision-making by increasing the exposure of medical students and hospital doctors to the specialty of General Practice,” said Mr. Rotella.
The Program has been met with widespread enthusiasm and is already showing great results. “General Practice remains at the centre of the health care system in Australia and we feel it is our duty to protect this legacy,” said Mr. Vohra.
“GPRA aims to address potential myths associated with General Practice and improve the image of the profession with young doctors. We hope to work closely with AMSA in positioning the GPSN as the premier General Practice network for medical students across the country,” said Mr Vohra.
For more information or comments:
Mr. Amit Vohra, Managing Director, GPRA: 0431 909 502
Ms Claire Wise, Public Relations Officer, AMSA: 0425797972
Media Release 4 May 2007
AMSA launches General Practice Student Network
The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) today proudly announces the launch of the General Practice Student Network (GPSN), in partnership with the General Practice Registrars’ Association (GPRA).
The GPSN will be a student-run association for medical students interested in the specialty of General Practice, and those keen to dispel the common myths associated with the profession.
AMSA National President Mr. Rob Mitchell said, “The launch of the GPSN is vital in the attempt to shake up the perceptions of General Practice.
“For too long, this specialty has been under-recognised and misunderstood. The GPSN will be a fantastic way of harnessing the interest of medical students, and inspiring them to learn more about what this valuable specialty has to offer.”
Mr. Joe Rotella, AMSA National Coordinator and fifth-year medical student, will be the inaugural chair of the Network. “I am delighted in the strong interest that has already been demonstrated by students across the country,” said Mr. Rotella.
“The GPSN will serve to link these students together, and help promote the benefits and advantages of a life in General Practice.”
Added Mr. Mitchell, “we must consider the urgency of Australia’s medical workforce crisis, particularly in community care and rural areas. The launch of this Network could not come at a more critical time.
“AMSA welcomes the GPSN and the potential it has to help alleviate this crisis. It’s no secret that we as a country are in desperate need of more General Practitioners. The GPSN will serve as a positive support network for students interested in Community Practice.
“We look forward to working with the GPRA in making this General Practice Student Network a real success story.”
Friday 4 May
Media Contact
Claire Wise
0425 797 972
Public Relations Officer publicrelations@amsa.org.au
