Doctors Bag
The doctor's bag is the term given to the drugs and equipment that GPs keep in a well secured bag for use on home visits and emergencies outside the surgery.
It is important that your doctor's bag and contents are individualized to suit your needs as a GP. This will vary depending on the location and nature of your practice.
Obviously GP registrars work in several different practices locations, hence the needs may be variable. The following information is a provided as a guide but it is important to discuss this with your GP supervisor early in your term. In addition you will receive further information during a seminar that IGPE holds for registrars prior to commencing their basic GP term. (link to education program).
Suggested Contents
- pens (essential)
- prescription pads
- relevant pathology and imaging forms
- medical certificates
- letterhead
- dangerous drug record book (essential)
- list of relevant phone numbers
- list of dosages of emergency drugs
- gloves
- stethoscope
- syphgomanometer
- Auriscope/ ophthalmoscope
- Thermometer
- Torch
- Tongue depressors
- Sharps container
- Urinanalysis strips
- Pathology tubes & swabs
- Syringes (range of sizes)
- Needles (range of sizes)
- Tornique
- Laerdel pocket mask (or similar)
- Guedels airway (several sizes)
- Dressing pack and dressings
Under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme a supply of medications is available to doctors free of charge to equip their doctor's bag. This is called the Emergency Drug (doctor's bag) supplies.
It is important before ordering these drugs that you consider the types of emergency and other situations where you may need to administer medication and only order the supplies that you will use. Remember that most of the drugs will go out of date in your bag before you use them.
Further information about emergency bag supplies is available at
http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/browseby/doctorsbag
(for a list of the medications)
Please read "Prescribing Medicines - Information for PBS Prescribers"
http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/browseby/explanatory-notes?ref=section1-prescribingmedicines
The following article from Australian Family Physician also contains useful information for GP registrars about the doctor's bag.
http://www.racgp.org.au/document.asp?id=14475