About us
We respond to community needs
General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA) is a membership organisation with a reach of over 10,000 individuals contributing to general practice (GP) training.
For more than a decade, GPSA has been supported by the Australian Government as the nation’s peak for the supervision teams preparing tomorrow’s primary healthcare professionals for independent practice in the best medical specialty of all.
Our role is complementary to the formal vocational training delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine – continuously engaging with our members to identify any gaps we can fill with best practice tools that dovetail into training program materials and structures.
As our name suggests, we represent not only GP supervisors, but all members of the practice team involved in training: individuals for whom our goal is to provide true scaffolding in the same way that they scaffold the medical student, prevocational learner and GP-in-training. Without this amazing community, there will be no general practice in the future.
Empowering our community
GPSA is focused on empowering the people and businesses responsible for training the next generation of GPs and RGs:
- with an online platform that facilitates a virtual community of practice
- by making best practice educational and HR/ administrative resources openly accessible
- by developing innovative teaching aids
- by offering a CPD recording service for Community members who attend our RACGP- and ACRRM-accredited live webinars
- by advocating on our members’ behalf to Commonwealth and state governments and across the GP training sector
- by entering into an MoU with General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) to develop joint advocacy positions and jointly explore opportunities for the benefit of the community
- by undertaking translational research to drive long-term improvements for training practices and supervisors
- by drawing on interactions with our members to shape policy
OUR VALUES, MISSION AND VISION
These four words encapsulate what GPSA stands for.
These are the core values that have guided the organisation through growth and change, challenge and celebration, and will continue to do so into the future.
OUR MEMBERS
ROLE AS PEAK
GPSA is Australia’s national peak body for GP / RG supervisors and training practices. This means we draw on our members’ feedback and requests to advocate for improved conditions for the beginning, middle and most importantly the end-point of training: recognising sustainability and professional satisfaction as the key drivers in delivering best practice supervision and attracting more doctors to this amazing medical specialty.
Who we are
Our Community
“GPSA is a passionate community supported by a dedicated team, which is in turn guided by an experienced Board of Directors elected by and from the community.”
The GPSA community is as diverse and exciting as the medical specialty it is responsible for perpetuating.
The medical professionals and administrators who make up almost 10,000 GPSA members are all involved in, or aspiring to contribute to, the supervision of tomorrow’s GPs and RGs. This supervising community is spread across Australia, both in the traditional general practice setting and, more frequently now, outside the community clinic in contexts including public hospitals, state healthcare clinics, ACCHOs, AMSs, RFDS and the ADF, among others.
GPSA not only supports this community – GPSA is this community.
By uniting as a community of practice, this community has the potential to create unprecedented change – drawing strength from connection to each other and developing a unified voice transcending geographical fragmentation.
By contributing your voice to GPSA’s regular discussions with Commonwealth and sector stakeholders, by lending your insights and expertise to our research-backed policy statements and best practice educational resources, you can make a real difference.
Our Team
As a member of GPSA, you are part of a very special community of practice supported by a very special team of dedicated individuals.
Our tightly-knit crew works together on 4 pillars to support our membership:
- education
- research and policy
- advocacy and stakeholder engagement
- member services
Our goal is to unite and empower our members, to develop opportunities to help those who value a quality teaching and learning culture to work with learners across the educational spectrum, and to have effective channels of communication with the individuals we represent so that the work we do remains consistent with their needs and priorities.
If you would like to assist us in our goal of supporting supervisors and GP training practices, please email support@gpsa.org.au.
OUR WORKER BEES
BA(Hons), MBA(Int), MComm
Carla is a strategist and communications professional whose corporate and international marketing experience is underpinned by more than a quarter of a century as a CEO. Carla’s enthusiasm for driving solutions for the GPSA community is matched only by her passion for education and research, her devotion to her Groodle (Charlie Brown) and her gratitude for her awesome team.
Director of Research and Policy
Education Manager
Education Associate
Operations Manager
Communications and Marketing Manager
Administration Officer – Operational Support
Administration Officer – Governance
Our Board
The GPSA Board may be small, but that’s what makes us nimble… And it helps that each of our Directors has a passion for supporting the people committed to providing high quality supervision for tomorrow’s GPs.
OUR DIRECTORS
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents
and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a
GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP
Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her
words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, FRACGP, GAICD, Cert. Clin. Ed
Frank has been a General Practitioner for 28 years and is a partner in Christies Beach Medical Centre, a privately
owned General Practice of over 50 years history. Frank has been involved as a Supervisor of Students, Interns, RMO’s
and General Practice Registrars for over 15 Years. Frank is a SLO for GPEx and has roles on various committees within
GPEx. He has had previous board experience with the Southern Division of General Practice.
CPA, GAICD
Leonie has a great interest in developing the education of Registrars. She is passionate about ensuring Registrars not
only receive great clinical training but that they are also prepared to enter the world of General Practice as educated
and informed business people. Leonie has presented to registrars at both MCCC and EVGPT workshops and has also
regularly presented to Practice Managers on issues including the NTCER, recruitment and business development.
MBBS, FRACGP, Clin Dip Pall Med, DCH
Dr Candice Baker obtained fellowship as an Australian General Practitioner in 2015, then as a Canadian Family
Physician in 2020. Outside her time working in Ontario Canada through 2020 and 2021, she has been at the same
training practice in regional Victoria for 10 years. It was here she became involved in the supervision of medical
students and registrars in an informal capacity before becoming an accredited supervisor early in 2022.
B Med. Sc., MBBS (Hons), MPH, D.Adv.Med., FRACGP, FACAsM
Dr Kate Manderson is an experienced GP supervisor and Principal GP of 4 practices in the Shoalhaven, with special
interests in Aerospace Medicine, Clinical and Military Medicine, and Women’s Health. She is a Graduate of the
Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) whose governance background includes 5 years as the President and
Chair of the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM), chairing the ASAM Policy and Advisory Committee,
and performing the role of Finance Director for the Shoalhaven Division of General Practice.
MBBS, FRACGP
Nick has been a practising GP since 2001, achieving his specialist Fellowship (FRACGP) in 2007. Since then he has
owned and run several successful practices as well as being a supervisor and examiner of RACGP registrars and a
supervisor and educator of Flinders and James Cook University Medical Students. Nick has been active in a number of
medical groups and committees. He is also an active business networker outside of medicine and has been a member
of a business referral and networking group in Adelaide for 3 years (President for 18 months of this).
MBBS, BSC, FRACGP, PhD
Shea runs a busy medical practice in the Inner North of Melbourne, with a focus on high-quality patient care, medical
education to a high number of GP Registrars, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. After working in a variety of
metro and rural hospitals throughout Australia during his early medical career, he passed his GP Fellowship exams and
became Ships Doctor on the Greenpeace icebreaker, the Arctic Sunrise. Following this reasonably brief life at sea he
founded a medical clinic in Melbourne, completed his PhD, and undertook training in the UK in minimally invasive
surgical techniques. He now spends most of his days helping train GP Registrars, seeing patients and running around
staying on top of his academic roles.
Our Team
BA(Hons), MBA(Int), MComm
Having worked with GPSA in education and research since 2020, Carla stepped into the role of CEO in May 2022 with sound knowledge of the GP training context coupled with vast amounts of curiosity and enthusiasm. Carla is a problem-solver, strategist and marketing professional with a strong administrative and networking background.
Director of Research and Policy
Education Manager
Education Associate
Operations Manager
Communications and Marketing Manager
Administration Officer – Operational Support
Administration Officer – Governance
Our Board
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, DCH SCCA Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy
Dr Srishti Dutta is a GP with over a decade of clinical and non-clinical experience, having worked across 3 continents and observed a range of health systems closely. She has attained fellowship as a GP both in Australia in the UK, is a GP supervisor and ECT visitor, an Examiner for the RACGP, a Medical Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute, and a GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) as part of the joint initiative between Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN: where, in her words, “influencing without power” is a key skill on which she relies.
Research and policy
GPSA’s research mission is to support quality GP training through evidence-based resources that in turn support member wellbeing and satisfaction by building workforce capacity and resilience.
Our research agenda is nimble and responsive to the priorities of our members and the GP training sector, enabling us to pivot our focus across evidence-based advocacy, policy, education and a broad range of resources as the environmental context changes.
Alongside our members, we also partner with universities, sector stakeholders and policy makers to expand our work in the GP / RG training space.
Best Practice
Capacity Building & Resilience
Wellbeing & Satisfaction
Learn all about our research themes and our ongoing work to build better outcomes for our members here.
Advocating to make a difference
- RVTS
- RDAA
- AMA
- AIDA
- AAPM
- MDANZ and individual universities / rural training hubs
- postgraduate medical councils
- rural workforce agencies
- state-funded rural generalist pathways
- state SEM teams.
Connecting the dots - sector conduit
As the peak organisation for GP and RG training across Australia, GPSA acts as a sector conduit – connecting our members with Commonwealth and state governments, the GP specialty training Colleges, universities, affiliated peaks like GPRA, and other sector stakeholders.
Building ties with the university and prevocational sectors
GPSA has been busy expanding a traditional focus on vocational training to better support supervisors and practice teams engaged in the supervision of medical students and prevocational learners.
This has resulted in a significant win for GPSA members and the sector more broadly, as our initiatives translate into a more inclusive era for GP pathways.
Securing agreement from both Colleges: the SLO Advisory Council
In light of the changes to the GP training environment in the transfer of training from the 9 RTOs to the 2 unevenly sized GP specialty Colleges, GPSA has played an active role in securing a future network for the nation’s Supervisor Liaison Officers. This has involved the development and execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) tied to newly created Terms of Reference (TOR) for the SLO Advisory Council.
Supervisor Liaison Officers (SLOs)
The role of the Supervisor Liaison Officer (SLO) is critical to ensuring a well-supported, high quality GP training sector.
SLOs are employed by RACGP, ACRRM, and RVTS to represent and assist supervisors of GP/RG registrars across the country by
- advocating for the individual and collective needs of GP supervisors; and
- informing policy and process development to inform best practice general practice training. Both Colleges as well as RVTS have employed SLOs to represent and assist supervisors of GP/RG registrars across the country.
Join GPSA's free Community platform to connect with your SLO and other supervision team members in your jurisdiction.
To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled the details for the current SLOs by region, with corresponding email addresses linked to the names listed.
To facilitate networking, troubleshooting, and idea-sharing among SLOs, GPSA has established Terms of Reference and a Memorandum of Understanding with ACRRM and RACGP. This collaboration has led to the creation of the newly branded “SLO Advisory Council.”
SLOs by region
NT
(Pending) ACRRM
Dr Kate Lloyd, RACGP
TAS
(Pending) ACRRM
Dr Boris Tan, RACGP
Dr Jo Chaffey, RACGP
- We connect members with Commonwealth and state governments, GP specialty training colleges, universities, peak bodies and others.
- We inject our members voice into pivotal discussions for the GP training sector.
- We provide support, information and free resources to members.
OUR PUBLICATIONS
Date reviewed: 26 July 2024