With around 1000 delegates attending the Rotorua GP CME 2011, New Zealand Doctor  was interested to find out which were their favourite sessions and what some of the issues might be for them in an election year

Busi Mnguni, GP registrar, Te Kauwhata

Having recently seen a patient with urticaria, Dr Mnguni was interested in the presentation by immunologist Rohan Ameratunga, in particular, his advice about long-acting anti-histamine dosages. She was impressed by the conference for its excellent speakers and variety of topics.

Brian Gare, GP, Napier

Dr Gare found it difficult to select just one preferred session. He was impressed with US professor of family medicine Edward Mayeaux's presentation on vaginitis because of the engaging and "very dynamic" way he delivered his message. He also enjoyed Dr May's presentation on exercise prescription and Dr Cutfield's on diabetes.

But pushed to choose just one favourite, he settled on Auckland breast surgeon Erica Whineray Kelly's presentation on breast cancer, which he describes as "first class". "I learnt an enormous amount about something which I thought I knew everything about."

Describing himself as "a mature GP", Dr Gare says he has had enough of change in the health sector and so hopes there will be little change after the election. He's unhappy the current government has committed to changes with ACC but says his biggest bugbear in daily practice is keeping up with the paperwork. "I love the people, I love the medicine, but we are doing a lot more [paperwork] than we ever used to do."

Phil Morris, GP, Blenheim

Dr Morris enjoyed Dr May's presentation on exercise prescription because he took away some new ideas he could put into practice, like not talking to patients about exercise and diet in the same consultation and talking about exercise to all his patients, not just those who are overweight.

Increasing paperwork and the inability to get some patients seen in secondary care because they do not meet certain thresholds are his biggest concerns in practice and something he would like to see improved.

Adrienne Mitikulena, GP, Wellington

Dr Mitikulena's favourite session was American family doctor and author Michelle May's presentation on why diets are not the answer. She found Dr May's delivery of her presentation impressive.

"Even if she had read the phone book she would make it interesting." But Dr Mitikulena also appreciated the content of the presentation and the way Dr May simplified it.

"It was very relevant, very applicable."

Dr Mitikulena would like to see more funding for primary care in an election year.

Rishe Rishangan, GP, Wanganui

Dr Rishangan enjoyed Dr May's presentation on writing an effective exercise prescription. He finds that generally Kiwis have a casual attitude to exercise and considers use of an exercise prescription an effective way to encourage them to begin exercising.

Dr Rishangan considers GPs undervalued for the hard work they do and would like to see GPs recognised and remunerated to the same degree as specialists. He considers this is a way to attract younger doctors to general practice.

Elaine Pooler, GP, Te Puke

Dr Pooler's favourite session was Auckland diabetologist Richard Cutfield's presentation on controversies in diagnosis of diabetes.  She found the presentation very informative.

Dr Pooler's biggest frustration in daily practice is getting patients seen in secondary care.  Having patients languishing on waiting lists for the likes of colonoscopies is of concern to her and something she would like to see addressed in the upcoming election.

Kathy Bakke, GP, Kaitaia

Having moved from the US and worked in New Zealand for only two years, Dr Bakke says she particularly enjoyed listening to health minister Tony Ryall speak at the medicopolitical session.  

"I'm not saying I agreed with him; it was interesting to hear his perspective on things."  She also enjoyed the keynote speakers in the opening session of the day but felt it was difficult for them to give a good synopsis of their specialty in 20 minutes.

"If we give the health minister 30 minutes to speak, then I think we should give someone speaking about diabetes 30 minutes as well." A lack of resources is Dr Bakke's biggest frustration in Kaitaia. While it is "good and fine" to devolve more services to primary care, Dr Bakke says the reality is there are not enough GPs and nurses or clinics for them to work in.

"We work very hard in the far north and you are asking us to do more, but there isn't necessarily the resources to do so."  Despite her frustrations, Dr Bakke says she has been impressed with New Zealand's health service when compared to the US.   Preventive work like children's immunisations, mammograms and cervical smears is much better than what occurs in the US, she says.  "You do things we only dream about in the US."

Soori Rishangan, GP, Wanganui

Dr Rishangan's favourite session was Dr May's presentation on writing an effective exercise prescription.  Dr May provided a lot of information which she believes will make her green prescriptions better for patients.

Dr Rishangan would like to see an increase in capitation payments in an election year. She considers there is currently not enough funding to cover the costs of the time she spends, in particular, with patients with chronic conditions and mental health problems.

"Sometimes we spend double the time with them, but we can't ask them to pay for that."

Karen Lloyd-Roberts, practice manager, and Julian Roberts, GP

Karen Lloyd-Roberts, Sunnynook Medical Centre practice manager, was attending with GP partner Julian Roberts.

She says not all sessions of the practice manager's programme had the specific practice-oriented advice she was seeking. Dr Roberts was particularly impressed by Louisiana University's Professor Edward Mayeux, who he says presented new information on vaginitis in an entertaining style.

US family physician and author Michelle May offered useful tips to encourage patients to exercise.

Brendan Aish, GP, Thames and Al Somerville, GP, Auckland

Brendan Aish, Thames Medical Centre GP, met up with former medical school classmate Al Somerville of Cairnhill Medical Centre, Auckland.

Dr Aish says a standout speaker was Rohan Ameratunga, Auckland immunologist (who spoke on urticaria). Dr Somerville says Professor Mayeux did not give the loud presentation he expected. He says there was valuable information on vaginitis.

Wendy Carroll, GP, Paeroa with Greer and Kevin Fricker, GP, Katikati

Wendy Carroll, Paeroa Medical Centre GP, with Greer and Kevin Fricker. Kevin, a Katikati Medical Centre GP, says breast cancer risk factors explained by Erica Whineray Kelly formed part of a very interesting presentation.

Dr Carroll says all conference speakers have been good and mentions in particular Michelle May's weight loss and exercise advice as offering a different approach.

Elizabeth Walters, GP, and Maureen Hall, practice nurse, Rotorua

Elizabeth Walters, a GP at Te Ngae Medical Centre, Rotorua, says she enjoyed Michelle May's presentation on exercise.

Patients normally "give me a look" when advised that ideally they should be doing half an hour's exercise five days a week, says Dr Walters.

Maureen Hall, a practice nurse at Lakes Primecare in Rotorua, agrees Dr May has an excellent attitude to diet and exercise, emphasising the importance of getting rid of guilt.

Jean Kelly, medical director,  and Kamala Rupasinghe, GP, Porirua

Jean Kelly, medical director of Porirua's Kenepuru Hospital A&M clinic, says the conference's overseas speakers have been good.

She learned good diagnostic tips on vaginitis from Dr Mayeux. Her colleague, GP Kamala Rupasinghe, says all presenters have offered quality information.

Nikki Turner, GP, Wellington and Tony Dowell, GP academic

Nikki Turner, Wellington GP and IMAC director, finds the conference has its share of warm fuzzies - in this case, a tui soft toy won as a prize by partner Tony Dowell.

Drs Turner and Dowell are both presenters, on children's medicines and vaccination, and on psychological problems, diabetic care and GP consultations respectively.