Well the journey is now over.

We have travelled around the world and have arrived home safely with a better insight to Quality Around the World. 

Over 500 people attended Quality Around the World and their feedback tells us it was an overwhelming success.

The Quality Around the World journey commenced on Thursday 20 May with the Welcome Party. Delegates were entertained by Wacky Entertainment and using the magic of green screen photography, had their photo taken on the Great Wall of China, at the Leaning Tower of Pisa or in Washington DC with President Obama. Many delegates also took the opportunity to have their name beautifully scribed by a Japanese calligrapher, all while networking the night away.

The conference officially opened on Friday 21 May with the Koomurri Aboriginal troop welcoming us with a traditional smoking ceremony. Our key note speakers Dr Stephen Schoenbaum and Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite featured in the opening sessions providing lessons on quality from around the world.

Sessions continued throughout the day with delegates being informed and educated on e-health, practice management issues, open disclosure, the new RACGP 4th edition standards and reducing risk in practice.*

The Bollywood Gala Dinner was the talk of the town with many people dressing in their best Bollywood outfits. Dinner guests were met by Bollywood dancers and each person received a bindi to complete their outfit. Dancers kicked off the night with a few Bollywood moves and it didn’t take much encouragement for the rest of us to join the fun. Henna tattoo artists were kept busy all night decorating guest’s hands with traditional Indian designs.

The final day of the conference started with The Great Debate – Will integrated primary care improve patient outcomes? Anyone who stayed up too late at the Bollywood Gala Dinner and thought they could have a quiet morning was in for a surprise. The four debate speakers were very passionate in delivering their views and I don’t think anyone will doubt Professor Braithwaite’s views on this topic.

The conference sessions continued with more learnings on the safety and quality agenda, infection control guidelines, communication challenges, human resources, the future role for nurse practitioners and many more topics.

The final session left us all on a high note with Patricia Cameron-Hill and Shayne Yates reminding us that laughter can be the best stress relief for all of us around the world.

We look forward to welcoming you again in 2012.

The QIP and AGPAL team

 

*To access details of selected conference presentations, please click here.