Welcome

On behalf of General Practice Education and Training Limited I take great pleasure in welcoming you to the National General Practice Education and Training Convention 2008.

Since its inception in 2002 the Convention has grown to become an important medical education event for the Australian general practice community, with an emphasis on participation, and a strong focus on the key educational issues impacting on the profession. The Convention provides a unique networking opportunity, bringing together registrars, medical educators, supervisors, training providers, academics and key medical education organisations to share experiences and knowledge and to showcase programs and ideas.

This year’s theme ‘Further, Higher Stronger - Achieving a personal best through teamwork’ underlines the importance of cooperation and collaboration in achieving advances in education and training at both an organisational and personal level. This year’s Convention is being delivered in a somewhat different format, with an emphasis on audience interaction, as we seek to encapsulate the key issues and challenges facing general practice education and training and to provide a forum for sharing potential solutions. In response to past Convention evaluations, there is also a stronger emphasis on professional development workshops to allow leading GP educators to pass on their knowledge and expertise to the wider education and training community.

I encourage you to attend the 2008 Convention, to network with your colleagues from medical education organisations and practices, and to enjoy what has become the premier annual general practice education and training event in Australia.

Erich Janssen
Chief Executive Officer, GPET