Consensus-based recommendations for medical professionals who diagnose and manage patients with mitochondrial diseases

An education program is aimed at increasing GP’s awareness and knowledge about mito, including CPD modules.

GP education modules

Mito Foundation has worked with Australian Doctor to develop two CPD education modules to help GPs understand, diagnose and treat mito in their patients.

Maybe it's mitochondrial disease

This CPD module is relevant at pre-diagnosis, when patients present with symptoms that are suggestive of mito. Completing this module will attract 2 Category 2 RACGP or 1 core point ACRRM points. 127 GPs have already completed this module.

The module includes expert video commentary by Professor Carolyn Sue, Director of Neurogenetics at Royal North Shore Hospital and Director of the Kolling Institute, University of Sydney.

Treating mitochondrial disease in primary care: challenges and opportunities

This new self-directed CPD learning module focuses on the post-diagnosis stage of the patient's journey with mito. It is aimed at GPs who have patients with mito, confirmed or clinically suspected by their specialist.

The module includes details on the newly updated Australian Patient Care Standards for mitochondrial disease. Three clinical case studies are also presented to illustrate the differing presentations of mito and how to manage them.

There is a video interview with a specialist that will discuss the role of the GP in symptom management and supportive therapy.  Completing this module will help GPs:

  • understand the Australian Patient Care Standards;
  • handle issues in symptom management;
  • know when a patient requires baseline testing or extra surveillance; and
  • apply preventive measures to mitigate symptom worsening.

GP webinar series

Mito Foundation offers a complimentary webinar series helping GPs to identify, manage and support their mito patients.

Recordings from past webinars are available below.

Our 2023 GP webinar series will be announced shortly. Please bookmark this webpage and check again in 2023.

Mito Professionals Directory

If you are a health professional with experience or knowledge in treating patients with mitochondrial disease and would like to join the Directory, please fill out the form here.

By joining the Directory you will gain access to the Health Professionals Resource Pack, live webinars run by mitochondrial disease specialists and other educational resources.

We will not publish your details anywhere online.

Other resources

Link to Understanding epilepsy and seizures in mito Video

Understanding epilepsy and seizures in mito

Video

Prof Mary Kay Koenig discusses the most common seizures found in children and adults with mito, reviews how and why seizures occur, and the treatment and precaution recommendations.

Link to Understanding genetics and getting a genetic diagnosis Video

Understanding genetics and getting a genetic diagnosis

Video

Emma Celis and Prof David Thorburn break down the complexity of genetics to help you know the different types of variants that apply to mito. They then talk through a range of genetic testing options available and explore how and where to access genetic testing.

Link to Understanding and managing pain Video

Understanding and managing pain

Video

Prof Toby Newton-John is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and a practising Clinical Psychologist. In this video, Prof Newton-John discusses why we feel pain, the impacts of chronic pain, and the importance of pain management in maintaining quality of life.

Link to Understanding the causes of mito to improve diagnosis Video

Understanding the causes of mito to improve diagnosis

Video

Prof Zofia Chrzanowska-Lightowlers discussed how her team compares healthy cells against cells of people with various mitochondrial conditions to help uncover what causes mito and guide clinicians to tailor management strategies for individuals impacted by mito.

Link to Understanding and managing fatigue in mito Video

Understanding and managing fatigue in mito

Video

Dr Christina Liang is a Neurologist with an interest in neuromuscular conditions. In this video, she discusses fatigue, a common symptom in mito; how and why fatigue presents, and ways to manage energy effectively.

Link to What to do when you are sick Video

What to do when you are sick

Video

At the 2022 AussieMit Community Summit, Prof Mary Kay Koenig describes what happens to your mitochondria when you get sick and discussed how to reduce the need to go to hospital.