Online Modules :: Rural Health Continuing Education

Conducting a rural practice review

Course overview

In this course you will learn about what’s involved in conducting a rural practice review. Read more.

Safe Patient Transport

In 2015, the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM) developed an online learning module to assist medical practitioners develop and implement strategies and protocols for the safe transport of critically ill patients.

The aim of the module is to ensure that all specialists involved in the transport of critically ill patients minimise risk and maximise safety.

Those completing this module will become aware of the most current guidelines, protocols and practices.

The module is available here. Follow the instructions on the linked page to register as a Rural Health Continuing Education guest user.

Telehealth and Teleophthalmology

Course Overview

This resource is no longer available as it is now out of date (originally developed in 2014).

After completion of this learning module ophthalmologists developed an understanding of:

What is teleophthalmology
Who is suited to teleophthalmology
Why consider teleophthalmology
How to become a service provider of teleophthalmology

RANZCR Appropriate Imaging Referrals

Course Overview

Improving the appropriateness of referrals for medical imaging, thereby enhancing the quality of clinical care, is an important issue around the country but is especially important in rural health where there may be more limited resources and increased patient travel time to imaging facilities.

Each of the nine clinical modules present the evidence behind the best clinical decision rules for that topic, followed by how to apply rules in practice. An interactive format is used, with numerous quizzes aimed to consolidate the theory, followed by clinical scenarios to assess understanding in practice. A smart phone app is also under development to help practitioners implement practices learned from the modules.

Smoking Cessation

Course Overview

The cases represented in this module introduce you to the complexities involved in helping some smokers quit in today’s strong anti-smoking environment where there are inevitably “hard-core smokers” who smoke despite their own medical circumstances and continue to smoke when it is evidently not in their best interest. Each of the five cases are typical of the type of smokers who might present to a medical service or to a smokers’ clinic. Though based on evidence, there is less of a “one-size-fits all” approach in this module and interventions are tailored to the individual. As you progress through the cases you will notice that each individual has their own strategy devised for them.

Format: There are five cases in this module, each addressing a different complexity in relation to smoking cessation. Each case consists of statistics, expert feedback, multiple-choice, true/false and short answer questions to assist with your learning.

Incident Monitoring – The KIMMS Program

Course Overview

The RCPA KIMMS QAP has now ended so this course content is out of date and no longer available.

It aimed to monitor the pre- and post-analytical phase of the laboratory quality systems thus extending measurement of quality to the entire quality system. The KIMMS program was designed to provide pathology practices with the tools for continuous measurement and monitoring of key incident quality indicators. KIMMS was similar to other external quality assurance programs with one major difference, there are no samples to test. Only incident data is submitted quarterly, every year and reports issued.

The focus of the RCPAQAP eLearning modules was on the interpretation and application of EQA report data in addressing specific areas for quality improvement. The modules were designed so that they may serve as an ongoing reference for pathologists and Trainees.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health

Course Overview

Supporting health professionals in improving knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health care to achieve better outcomes.

Intercultural Learning

Course Overview

Cultural competency and safety eLearning activities provide professional development in intercultural skills using examples from a range of cultures within Australia. The modules provide information on recognising one’s own and other people’s cultural expectations; intercultural communication; the links among values, beliefs and behaviours; and strategic skills for cultural adaptation. There is also a range of activities to promote self-reflection regarding the impact of cultural issues on medical practice. Read more.

Indigenous Health

Course Overview

This resource is no longer available as it is out of date (originally developed in 2012)

This series of podcasts focused on providing resources to Australian rural and regional Fellows, trainees and international medical graduate specialists, though the principles discussed were also relevant to urban practice. The underlying importance of respect applies to all cross-cultural interactions.
Read more.

Practice Visits

Course Overview

This project has now ended, however there may be other opportunities to do a practice visit through RANZCP.

This project offered Fellows the opportunity to host a Practice Visit at their rural practice location. Project resources included two interactive e-learning modules on the Practice Visit activity. The modules provided information on how to undertake a Practice Visit, along with a training module for those who wish to become an accredited Practice Visitor.

Acute Neurotrauma in a Rural Setting

Course Overview

Workshops focusing on training in burr-hole surgery for head trauma emergencies have been offered over the course of three years by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Each workshop provided the foundation for improved acute head injury management facilitated by two neurosurgeons.

This course complements the workshop and assists future and past participants in the maintenance of their knowledge and skills. The content was based on the information contained in the booklet ‘The Management of Acute Neurotrauma in Rural and Remote Locations’ produced by the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia. Read more.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Learning

Course Overview

The series of eLearning modules aims to promote a multi-disciplinary approach of particular benefit to surgeons in rural and remote locations who care for Indigenous patients. The modules focus on Indigenous-specific health issues and developing a support network to assist in resolving current and future specialist medical issues.

It is important that clinicians connect with their local community as customs vary across the country.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Learning Course is made up of three modules, interactive tools and a resource learning centre.

Management Essentials

Course Overview

This course was designed and developed as a result of grant provided by the Rural Health Continuing Education Sub-program (RHCE) Stream One.

The course was originally developed as a means for continuing professional development of rural specialist medical practitioners. However, it was recognised early on as an important educational resource for trainees of the College, as well as for the continuing professional development of non-rural fellows and educational affiliates. As a result, the course was made available to all College members, on the Learning Management System (LMS) of the RANZCR Learning Portal.

Indigenous Cardiovascular Health

Course Overview

There are numerous factors that contribute to continued poor health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. One example of these is Cardiovascular Health. This resource aims to help practitioners develop strategies that may be implemented to overcome barriers and provide effective care to Indigenous Australians.

Health Management in Rural Settings

Course Overview

The Rural Outcomes Measurement Enhancement Project produced a series of modules on the topic of Health Management in Rural Settings. These topics focus on areas of Indigenous health, geriatric health and sepsis management.

Indigenous Adult and Child Health

Course Overview

Culture and determinants of health underpin numerous barriers to health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This series of modules begins by exploring the concept of cultural competence and the unique determinants of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Two modules then refer specifically to aboriginal child health, reviewing developmental problems and common diseases of poverty and illnesses. The final two modules take on an adult medicine focus and examine lifestyle factors and prevention and management of chronic diseases such as chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Read more.