Royal College of General Practitioners - Online Learning Environment

This is a recording of a live conference that took place on Friday 17 January 2025. This recording will be available to view until 20 November 2025.

The 29th Managing addictions in primary care conference took place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January 2025 in Manchester. 

This conference is the largest event in the UK for GPs, shared care workers, nurses and other primary care staff, specialists, commissioners and researchers interested in and involved with the Management of people with Addictions in Primary Care (MAPC). It is now in its 29th year with a loyal following but always attracts new faces from primary care. As usual, we will be covering important issues for the field including drug and alcohol problems including both a beginners guides as well as more specialist issues, managing harms from behavioural addictions such as pornography.  

With alcohol and drug related deaths still at an all time high, a harm reduction approach is paramount along with tackling stigma (so people don’t shy away from help).

We are really excited to go back on tour – yes we will be at an excellent iconic venue, The Lowry in the Quays area of Manchester, with plenty of room to make the best of workshops, interaction, networking and learning from each other. This includes showcasing great organisations such as Camerados, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and The Spider Project, which have been ongoing for many years providing exceptional services for people in recovery from addiction.

Learning objectives: 

•    Increase understanding of current interventions for the prevention, assessment and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems

•    Increase understanding of what interventions are possible to deliver in Primary Care and what require specialist help

•    Increase knowledge of drug and alcohol policies in the UK and how they are implemented in primary care

•    Increase knowledge of links between multiple needs, health inequalities and drug and alcohol use

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This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on Tuesday 10 December 2024. This recording will be available to view until 10 June 2025.

This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on 13 November 2024. This recording will be available to view until 13 May 2025.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stages 3-5) affects 1 in 10 people globally. The prevalence of CKD is rising due to an aging population and increasing numbers of people living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which are common causes of CKD. CKD is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and CKD is associated with approximately 45,000 premature deaths in the UK each year.

Standard treatment for CKD consists of blood pressure control, use of ACE-inhibitors/ARBs, glycaemic management for those with diabetes and active lipid lowering therapy. Over recent years there have been significant advances in additional therapies, including SGLT2 inhibitors for cardio-renal protection in CKD, with evidence informing changes to guidelines and our management of CKD in primary care. 

Learning objectives

• Appreciate the implications of renal complications for morbidity and mortality within the cardiorenal-metabolic system.
• Examine evidence for existing and newer treatment options for renoprotection in patients with CKD and diabetes.
• Review progression of national and international guidance for management of CKD as medical evidence has progressed.
• Understand the role of targeted anti-glycaemic treatment for people with CKD.

Webinar Chair:

• Dr Sarah Davies, GP and Clinical Director of Patient.info.

Webinar Speakers:

• Dr Pauline Swift, Consultant Nephrologist and Associate Medical Director for Research and Education, Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust
• Dr Kevin Fernando, GPwER Diabetes and medical education and RCGP Clinical Advisor for diabetes and multimorbidity 
• Dr William Hinchfliffe, Consultant Nephrologist, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on 19 November 2024. This recording will be available to view until 19 May 2025.

Did you know:

•    1 in 3 UK adults are keen to read more books about how to manage their health and wellbeing? 
•    Research shows that readers report better overall health and wellbeing than non-readers?

Reading Well is an innovative national Books on Prescription programme that changes lives through reading. Delivered by The Reading Agency, Reading Well provides recommended reading to help people understand and manage their health and wellbeing. Books are chosen and endorsed by health professionals and people with lived experience. Over 3.8 million Reading Well books have been borrowed since 2013.

Learning objectives:

• Learn about the evidence behind reading and health
• Find out how Reading Well:
• Can support patients to better understand and manage their mental health and wellbeing, outside of a clinical setting
• Can be accessed by patients for free in your community
• Provides quality assured and evidence-based information
• Explore how to signpost patients to Reading Well

Webinar Chair & Speakers:

• Debbie Hicks MBE, Creative Director, The Reading Agency 
• Professor Martin Marshall CBE, Chair of the Nuffield Trust, Emeritus Professor of Healthcare Improvement at UCL, Former RCGP Chair of Council
• Dr Clare Etherington, GP and Educator
• Dr Radha Modgil, GP, Author, Columnist, TV & Radio Presenter
• Dr Carina Spaulding, Head of Research and Evaluation 
• Gemma Jolly, Head of Health and Wellbeing

This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on Monday 24 February 2025. This recording will be available to view until 24 September 2025.

This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on 11 September 2024. This recording will be available to view until 1 July 2025.

We are increasingly being told that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the future. It has the power to revolutionise the way we provide care and practice medicine. Whilst there is plenty of talk of all the novel ways that AI will help us in the future, what assistance can AI offer an NHS GP now? This webinar will look at the ways that a GP can utilise AI today and will explore some of the tools that are available to GPs now. Through outlining and analysing these tools, we will support GPs in examining if these tools can support them with their current workloads. We will also discuss some of the medico-legal and technological barriers that can prevent GPs from adopting these tools, so that NHS GPs can be empowered to explore the AI tool marketplace independently.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the range of AI tools available to NHS GPs and how these can support GPs in best treating their patients.
• Gain knowledge about the medico-legal, technological and financial implications of utilising these tools.
• Explore the AI tool marketplace confidently and make informed decisions about how AI can be embedded into their practice.

This webinar will focus on the increased prevalence of measles among the UK's paediatric population and the underlying causal factors. It will encompass the typical course of the disease, including its common manifestations, diagnostic signs, symptoms, and management recommendations. This is followed by a look at the complications that may ensue, both in otherwise healthy children and those with chronic health conditions.

This is a recording of a live conference that took place on 15 October 2024. This recording will be available to view until 1 August 2025.

This one day conference aims to refresh and renew information on common infectious diseases that primary care clinicians are likely to encounter over the 2024/25 winter period. Dr David M. Smith and a selection of leading expert speakers, who are closely associated with primary care, focus on essential information, latest evidence, practical tips, and take-home messages to help improve practice and patient outcomes around infectious diseases. 

The winter months are increasingly difficult for primary care teams; this conference aims to empower GPs to increase their knowledge about the infectious diseases patients are most likely present with this winter. Through increasing clinical knowledge, we aim to improve the confidence and resilience of GPs heading into the winter period.

Topics include:    

1.    What’s on the horizon this winter 

2.    Measles and mpox

3.    Infectious gastroenteritis diseases 

4.    Hints/tips on tackling common respiratory conditions 

5.    Pragmatic issues on increasing immunisation rates 

6.    How best to manage scabies

Learning objectives:

• Update knowledge as to any anticipated acute rises in circulating pathogens over the winter
• Refresh knowledge of management of frequently seen conditions, to enable more effective triaging to take place.
• Develop techniques to increase vaccination rates.

Conference Chair

Dr David M. Smith, BSc (hons) MSc (SHU et OU) MBBS PGDip (HPE) MPH MRCGP

Conference Speakers:

Dr Simon Padfield, MBCHB MPH FFPH 

Dr Toni Hazell, GP at Somerset Gardens Family Healthcare Centre, RCGP deputy medical director for eLearning

Liz Grogan, Deputy Director of IPC a Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Dr Amanda Henry, Public Health Principal

Dr George Moncrieff, GP with Extended Role in Dermatology & Primary Care Advisor to the National Eczema Society

This is a recording of a live conference that took place on 11 March 2025. This recording will be available to view until 29 December 2025.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues account for up to 30% of general practitioner consultations, representing a significant clinical and societal burden. MSK disabilities often persist longer than other conditions, leading to reduced quality of life and broader socioeconomic implications. GPs play a crucial role in early diagnosis, effective management, and preventive care for MSK conditions to minimise disability and encourage healthier lifestyles.

This conference aims to empower primary care practitioners to enhance patient outcomes and promote physical activity as a preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

• Strengthen diagnostic skills: recognise common and rare musculoskeletal conditions in primary care through improved clinical examination and history-taking techniques. Differentiate between inflammatory, mechanical and systemic causes of MSK symptoms.
• Enhance management strategies: increase confidence in delivering evidence-based management plans. Explore the latest guidelines and treatments for conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and soft tissue injuries.
• Improve patient outcomes: apply practical strategies to improve patient education, self-management, and adherence to treatment plans. Understand when to refer patients for specialist care and how to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, such as physiotherapists and rheumatologists.
• Encourage preventive care and physical activity: recognise the importance of early intervention to reduce the risk of long-term disability.

Topics include:

• Paediatric rheumatology
• Physical activity
• Gout
• Osteoporosis
• Hand disorders
• Back and hip
• Shoulder and knee

Conference Chair:

Dr Jean Wong, GPwER Sports and Exercise Medicine, SEM ST6

This is a recording of a live webinar that took place on 21 November 2024 This recording will be available to view until 21 August 2025.

Join us for this insightful conference focusing on improving and expanding access to mental health care in line with the NHS long-term plan. Discussions will address the critical role of primary care in supporting patients with diverse mental health conditions, recognising that current systems often fall short for both patients and professionals. The challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased workload pressures and heightened mental health needs.

Our experienced speakers will provide evidence-based information tailored to the needs of primary care. You'll receive practical advice and useful resources to support patients dealing with a range of difficulties, including depression, psychosis, eating disorders, and perinatal mental health issues. You will learn how to support patients dealing with a range of difficulties, including depression, psychosis and eating disorders mental health problems. We will also discuss the limitations of current arrangements and the need for comprehensive solutions beyond NHS talking Therapies. By the end of this event, you will be better equipped to identify and meet the mental health needs of your patients and manage the increasing demands on primary care services.

Topics include:

• Management of people with depression in primary care
• Eating disorders
• Management of people with complex emotional needs
• Managing children with mental health problems in primary care
• Postnatal depression and puerperal psychosis
• Managing people with psychosis in primary care 
• Practitioner wellbeing 
• Bipolar disorder