Global conference in Sydney to address community health challenges being faced by family doctors

The Asia Pacific region will take an international centre stage for general practice this October as a global conference of general practitioners, family doctors and primary health practitioners meets in Sydney to tackle the key health issues being faced by primary care.

The WONCA World Conference Sydney 2023, being held from 26 to 29 October 2023, is slated to be one of the largest global conferences for family doctors.

WONCA 2023 is being hosted by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

Themed, "Recovery, reconnection and revival. A celebration of primary care," the WONCA 2023 will include more than 800 presentations and workshops from more than 700 local and international presenters from across the globe. It will feature over 50 streams, covering a range of issues being faced by GPs including mental health, women’s health, climate change, rural practice and chronic conditions.

The conference is set to feature keynote presentations from Professor Michael Kidd AM, one of the Australian Government's Deputy Chief Medical Officers, and Dr Maria Neira, the World Health Organization's Director of the Department of Environmental, Climate Change and Health, amongst a host of other keynote presentations, informative sessions, interactive workshops and exploration of world-leading research.

Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of the WONCA 2023 Scientific Committee, said the conference program offers a mix of research and practical applications to support GPs and family doctors.

"General practice is ever evolving based on the changing health needs in the community. Global issues such as COVID-19, climate change and natural disasters are seeing a vast change in the emerging health issues that family doctors are dealing with," Prof Morgan said.

"There is so much that we can learn from each other and the WONCA 2023 program will explore these emerging issues and provide a platform to explore the future of high-quality, sustainable primary care."

RACGP President, Dr Nicole Higgins, said hosting the internationally renowned conference is a chance to showcase Australian general practice.

"The WONCA World Conference Sydney 2023 will bring together GPs, family doctors and primary health practitioners from around the world, and the RACGP is proud to provide a platform to showcase the world-leading practice happening right here in Australia," Dr Higgins said.

"WONCA 2023 is an opportunity for both Australian and international GPs and family doctors to improve their skills, gain international perspectives, and continue to build primary health care practice."

Adjunct Professor Karen Price, Chair of the WONCA 2023 Host Organising Committee, said for many GPs and family doctors, WONCA 2023 will be the first opportunity they have had to reconnect with their colleagues since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

"WONCA Sydney 2023 will explore a remarkable program of research and best practice and provide a chance to reconnect with local and international colleagues. The program of activity at the conference is centred around allowing participants to engage with content that will be beneficial to their practice, and network with colleagues who share the same interests."

"The conference will also provide our interstate and international colleagues with a chance to explore the wonderful city of Sydney, as well as further travel throughout Australia."

The official program for the WONCA Sydney World Conference 2023 is available to preview at www.wonca2023.com.au and early bird registrations are now open.

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WHAT: WONCA World Conference Sydney 2023

WHO: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

WHEN: 26-29 October 2023

WHERE: International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, Australia.

INTERVIEWS: RACGP, WONCA, and keynote presenters are available for interview on request.

MEDIA CONTACT: Email: media@racgp.org.au / +61 3 8699 0992

About RACGP
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the voice of general practitioners (GPs) in our growing cities and throughout rural and remote Australia. For more than 60 years it has supported the backbone of Australia's health system by setting the standards for education and practice and advocating for better health and wellbeing for all Australians. Visit: www.racgp.org.au

About WONCA
WONCA is an acronym comprising of the first five initials of the "World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians." WONCA's short name is World Organisation of Family Doctors. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of the peoples of the world through defining and promoting its values, including respect for universal human rights and including gender equity, and by fostering high standards of care in general practice/family medicine. Visit: www.globalfamilydoctor.com

SOURCE: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)