President's Post

Greetings to all Fellows and trainees for this first eBulletin for 2016.  

Faculty Council meets face-to-face on Monday, 22 February 2016 and that prompts me to update Fellows and trainees on matters currently under discussion at Council and within the Faculty generally. 

Key issues under consideration are:

• The process of consultation on College governance reform. Any proposed changes to the College Constitution to create a smaller Board will be put to the membership at the 2016 AGM in May. The newly created College Council (with a representative role) has met once already and will meet again in February. Tony Gill attended College Council on behalf of the Faculty and reported back on its deliberations to last Faculty Council. Matters discussed included the concept of a single College qualification.
• A successful final oral examination process was completed in November. I will report on the outcomes of the exams in a future post. Some ongoing refinements to the exam structure will be overseen by the Faculty Education Committee.
• Council is receiving regular updates from the College Specialist Training Program (STP) Unit on the future of the STP Program. The College made a lengthy submission to the Federal Government to argue for the continuation of STP. The Faculty has 36 STP-funded training positions so it remains a significant source of funds for public health medicine training. At this stage, there is no further news on whether the program will continue beyond the end of 2016.
• The College Climate Change Working Party is progressing its revision of the College's current Climate Change Policy, with a revised policy to be issued later this year. The Faculty has organised a session on climate change and planetary health at the ASM in May. George Larking, chair of the Working Party, will participate in that session and will update Fellows and trainees on the revised policy.
• The trainee networking project, being led by Mike Ackland, has collected important information about our nearly 100 trainee positions. A survey to determine the capacity for individual positions to be part of a training rotation was issued in December. Results are currently being collated.
• The Workforce Supply and Demand project, being undertaken for the Faculty by Lee Ridoutt of Human Capital Alliance is progressing well. The next phase - a survey of the Faculty membership to determine indicators of future workforce supply and demand - is currently undergoing ethics review. I will provide regular updates on this critical project.
• Council will review and endorse the Faculty's annual Action Plan, which was developed following the annual Faculty strategic planning day, held in July. Once endorsed, the Action Plan will be made available to all Fellows and trainees.
• Lynne Madden and I have been in regular contact with our New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine colleagues. At a recent teleconference we discussed shared professional development opportunities, an expedited pathway for recognition of the New Zealand College qualification in Australia and opportunities for the New Zealand College and the Faculty to collaborate in promoting public health in the Pacific region.

Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to the College’s Internal Medicine Journal as a forum for publication of papers in the field of public health. 

Some public health papers published recently have been on topics such as patterns of Aboriginal mortality, rheumatic heart disease, impact of a heatwave on hospitalisations, cancer clusters, diphtheria, tuberculosis epidemiology, the burden of acute poisoning and staff influenza vaccination programs. 

You can use your college username and password to access the online version of the Journal via the RACP website.
 
In particular I would like to encourage ​trainees to consider submitting research papers to the Journal. The public health medicine subspecialty editor, Professor Mark Ferson, would be very interested in hearing from any ​trainees who are seeking guidance concerning the submission of public health papers to the Journal. Professor Ferson can be contacted by email on mark.ferson@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au or by phone on +61 2 9382 8233.

Yours in fellowship

Greg Stewart
President

Professor Michael Acklan​d Retires

On Friday, 29 January 2016, after more than 35 years of service to the Victorian public, Acting Chief Health Officer Professor Michael Ackland retired from the Department of Health and Human Services.
  
Professor Ackland has been a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine since 1990 and is currently a Councillor on the AFPHM Council.  He also holds adjunct professorial appointments at both Deakin and Monash Universities.

After graduating from Melbourne University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery he went on to gain a Masters of Public Health from Monash University in 1987.

Over Professor Ackland’s extensive career, he has contributed his considerable knowledge to a broad range of public health issues including child and family health, epidemiology, information systems, ethics, and chronic disease prevention. 

Professor Ackland has acted as Chief Health Officer on several occasions and has been the Department’s media spokesperson on a vast range issues from listeria in Jindi cheese, to heat health, and the dangers of tattoo ink.

Throughout his career he has remained a passionate advocate for public health education and workforce development.

His extraordinary depth of knowledge across public health and his compassionate leadership will be greatly missed. However, he intends to continue with his passion for teaching and mentoring young public health professionals especially through his associations with Monash and Deakin Universities as well as the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

Registrations are open for RACP Congress 2016

Planning is well underway for RACP Congress 2016, with the Congress website now live and early bird registrations open. 

Speakers at this year’s event include Sir Henry Burns, Professor John Mills, Professor Dinah Reddihough, Professor William Ivan Glass and Professor John Chalmers.

Register before the Friday, 11 March to receive a discounted early bird registration rate. 

Also, for this year only, attendees who have attended two of the last five RACP Congress events will be eligible for VIP registration rates. You will have received an email with your unique code. Use this code at registration to receive your special rate.

Visit the 2016 Congress website for more information.

Public Health Medicine Stream Announced for Congress

We are pleased to announce that this year’s RACP Congress will host a dedicated public health stream. 

Topics to be covered include: social determinants of health, new approaches to tobacco control, early childhood health and antimicrobial resistance.

Panellists and keynote speakers will be announced ​over the coming weeks. 

The AFPHM William Redfern Oration will also be presented at the event, along with the Annual Gerry Murphy Prize and the John Snow Scholarship.

Register for Congress now.

New Zealand President-Elect Announced

Congratulations to Dr Jeff Brown who has been announced as the incoming New Zealand President-Elect.

Dr Brown has been a paediatrician at Palmerston North Hospital, New Zealand, for 20 years and is the current Chair of the New Zealand Paediatrics and Child Health Division Committee.

Throughout his career Dr Brown has made vast contributions to the area of paediatrics in New Zealand in both the profession and the practice.

As part of his role as Chair of Advanced Paediatric Life Support New Zealand Dr Brown was an integral part in the development of a New Zealand Resuscitation Council Newborn Life Support Course. The course ​ensures a nationally consistent standard for all health professionals at the birth of a baby.

He also served a six year term with the New Zealand Paediatrics and Child Health Education Committee – reforming the accreditation process and making it consistent with other Colleges. 
In 2009 Dr Brown chaired the Ministerial Taskforce that developed the In Good Hands report.  The report outlined transformative changes to clinical leadership that must occur and the importance of nurturing clinical leadership. 

Dr Brown said that during his time on the New Zealand National Health Board he was able to get a clear picture of the machinery of the health system and the scope of leadership required to improve it. 

Dr Brown’s role as New Zealand President-Elect will begin at the close of the Annual General Meeting on Monday, 16 May 2016.

International Medical Symposium 2016 - Future Challenges for the Medical Profession

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in association with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anesthetists are pleased to host the 2016 International Medical Symposium Future Challenges for the Medical Profession.

We encourage you to join the debate around the future role and challenges of the medical profession. 
This will be a world class symposium with international and local speakers and is guaranteed to showcase ground-breaking and challenging discussion around the development of our roles as health professionals.  

Keynote speakers at IMS 2016 include:

• Professor Olle ten Cate, Netherlands
• Professor David Sinclair, Australia 
• Dr Julian Archer, United Kingdom 
• Dr Susan O’Dwyer, Australia 
• Dr Victoria Brazil, Australia 
• Dr Papaarangi Reid, New Zealand.

The Symposium will take place at the Amora Hotel in Sydney on Friday, 11 March 2016. 

For a full program and registration information please view the website 2016 International Medical Symposium or contact the RACP Events Team at ims@racp.edu.au.

Get Involved in the 2016 AFPHM National Training Days

This year will see an exciting change to the AFPHM National Training Days as they are combined with the RACP Congress in Adelaide. 

The Faculty Training Committee is working closely with the Faculty Trainee Committee to ensure a coordinated and interesting program is developed.

AFPHM National Training Days will comprise of one day dedicated to public health topics and one day where we join forces with the College Trainee Day as part of Congress.
 
In order to maximise this coordinated approach we need your help. 

We are looking for Fellows and trainees to deliver exciting, competency based sessions.

If you would like to get involved with this year’s training activities please contact Tony Gill via email at AFPHM@racp.edu.au. 

We look forward to building on recent successes to deliver a fantastic training program into the future.
 
Dr Tony Gill, Co-Chair, Faculty Training Committee
Dr Simon Crouch, Co-Chair, Faculty Trainee Committee

Free Online Supervisor Professional Development Program

The online Supervisor Professional Development Program (SPDP) is a three part program which has been designed and developed specifically for supervisors, in collaboration with leaders in education. 
These newly developed eLearning courses are free for RACP Members.

The courses are all five weeks in duration with new activities, videos and discussion forums added each week. 

It is expected that you will need to put aside one to two hours per week to participate in and complete the course. 

Courses can be completed using a computer, tablet or mobile device and taken at times convenient to you. Participation can be counted towards your myCPD program.

Registrations for part one of the SPDP online course are now open. The course begins on Monday, 15 February 2016. 

To register, please send your MIN number to learning@racp.edu.au, using the subject line 'registration for SPDP1'. 

Registration closes Tuesday, 9 February 2016.

Recent ​Death of Professor Neil Thomson

Professor Neil Thomson passed away peacefully on Sunday, 24 January 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Professor Thomson was the first Public Health Professor at Edith Cowan University and was instrumental in the establishment of the Aboriginal HealthInfoNet. ​

The Faculty and President wish to acknowledge his contribution to public health and Indigenous health not just in Western Australia, but also throughout Australia, as a consequence of the excellent resource provided by the Aboriginal HealthInfoNet.

Expressions of Interest

EOI: College Workforce Profile Pilot

The College Workforce Unit is piloting a workforce planning system to capture workforce data from Fellows. This will replace the existing College-wide workforce surveys. 

We are looking for a small group of Fellows to assist with the pilot which will be conducted via email and take approximately twenty minutes. It is open to Fellows from all Divisions, Faculties and Chapters in both Australia and New Zealand. 

To submit an Expression of Interest email Andrew Hilton at andrew.hilton@racp.edu.au. 

Applications close:  Monday, 22 February 2016. 

EOI: Faculty Education Committee Trainee Representative 

The Faculty Education Committee (FEC) is seeking a current trainee for the position of Trainee Representative. 

The FEC meets four times a year, twice via teleconference and twice at face-to-face meetings in the Sydney RACP Office. 

For more information or to submit an application email Natasha Alonzo at publichealth@racp.edu.au. 

Applications close: Friday, 19 February 2016.

EOI:  Faculty Education Committee Overseas Training Physician Lead

The Faculty Education Committee (FEC) is seeking expressions of interest from AFPHM Fellows to join the FEC as the Overseas Training Physician Lead.

The FEC meets four times per year, twice by teleconference and twice at face-to-face meetings in Sydney. 

The term of office is for two years with the option to serve up to a maximum of six years.
To apply email Natasha Alonzo at publichealth@racp.edu.au for an Expression of Interest form. 

Application close: Friday, 19 February 2016.

EOI: Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death Working Party

The College Policy and Advocacy Committee is seeking Expressions of Interest from Fellows and trainees for its new Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death Working Party.

The College is committed to a fair, balanced, robust and transparent process for establishing a College position or positions on these topics. 

The Terms of Reference, and Expression of Interest Application Form for the Working Party can be accessed here. 

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by close of business on Monday, 29 February 2016 to policy@racp.edu.au.

If you have any further questions regarding the establishment of the Working Party, please contact Louise Hardy, Manager – Policy and Advocacy on +61 2 8076 6358 or louise.hardy@racp.edu.au.

EOI: RACP Medicinal Cannabis Reference Group

The debate on medicinal cannabis has intensified in the last 12 months, with both the general public and politicians calling for legislative change to allow its use. Legislation has been proposed in Victoria to legalise the use of medicinal cannabis for paediatric drug-resistant epilepsy, terminal illness and to manage symptoms associated with chemotherapy. 

To enable the College to make timely and well informed responses on this topic, the College Policy & Advocacy Committee (CPAC) is establishing a Medicinal Cannabis Reference Group (the MC Reference Group). 

The purpose of the MC Reference Group will be to enable the College to respond with appropriate expertise on medicinal cannabis topics and to guide policy development on this topic. 

Getting involved
Joining the MC Reference Group will allow you to contribute your views and expertise to the medicinal cannabis debate.

The roles and responsibilities of the MC Reference Group are:

• to provide input to College submissions on matters related to medicinal cannabis
• to be a source of subject matter experts to represent the College at medicinal cannabis related meetings, workshops and advisory groups
• to contribute to College work on other policy priorities where medicinal cannabis is a related matter.
  Please find the Terms of Reference here.

Physicians of all specialties are invited to apply, to ensure the breadth of physicians’ perspectives is brought to the MC Reference Group. However, the College is particularly seeking Fellows and trainees working in the following areas of specialty practice:

• Neurology
• Paediatric neurology
• Oncology
• Paediatric oncology
• Palliative medicine
• Addiction medicine
• Public health medicine
• General paediatrics
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Occupation and environmental medicine
• General medicine
• Clinical pharmacology

If you would like to join the MC Reference Group or would like further information, please contact policy@racp.edu.au or phone +61 2 9256 9624.

EOI: Get Involved: RACP e-Health Reference Group

It is acknowledged that e-Health has the potential to drive significant improvements in both the quality and safety of healthcare. Yet it remains a work in progress.

With the re-commitment of the government to a national e-Health strategy, and the upcoming transition from NEHTA to a new Australian Digital Health Agency, physician and paediatrician input to this policy area is vital.

To enable the College to provide informed and expert input to e-Health policy, make timely and well informed responses on eHealth matters, and increase physician and paediatrician representation on relevant external committees and working groups, the College Policy & Advocacy Committee (CPAC) is establishing an e-Health Reference Group.

Getting involved
Joining will allow you to contribute your expertise and views on current and future e-Health issues and enable physician and paediatrician input to shape e-Health developments and plans.

The roles and responsibilities of the e-Health Reference Group are:

• to provide input to College submissions on e-Health matters
• to be a source of subject matter experts to represent the College at e-Health related meetings, workshops and advisory groups
• to contribute to College work on other policy priorities where e-Health is a related matter.
  Please find the Terms of Reference here.

If you would like to join the e-Health Reference Group or would like further information, please email policy@racp.edu.au or phone +61 2 9256 9624.

EOI: Masters of Philosophy in Translational Research 

The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute is offering a 12-month program which leads to an internationally recognised postgraduate research degree (Masters of Philosophy, MPhil). The program provides a pathway for medical graduates to acquire new skills or extend and renew their understanding of Translational Medicine and Research.   

It is designed to bridge the gap between the clinic and research laboratory to give graduates theoretical and practical knowledge of the modern concepts and methodologies in translational medicine.  

The course consists of a 12-month research project followed by examination by thesis requiring original data equivalent to at least one research paper. 

For more details email gethin.thomas@uq.edu.au or call +61 7 3443 7048.      

Career Opportunities

Tasmania

Public Health Training Position – Public Health Services, Hobart
A number of training positions have become available in Hobart ranging from six to 12 month placements. 

The positions offer high quality training opportunities in communicable disease control, environmental health, population health improvement programs, and public health research.
 
For more information or to apply email Fay Johnston at ​fay.Johnston@dhhs.tas.gov.au.

Applications close: Friday, 25 March 2016.

Conferences and Events

Monash Certificate in Environmental Medicine, 22 to 26 February 2016, Melbourne

The Monash Certificate in Environmental Medicine is a short course designed to strengthen the ability of doctors and other health professionals to address health relevant environmental issues related to industrial activity.  

It will give practitioners the theoretical foundation, legal framework and practical skills in managing people who present with problems resulting from environmental sources. 

The course will be delivered by medical specialists and experts in the field of environmental medicine and health.

Enrolments are capped at 30 participants so please register your interest early.

Venue: Alfred Centre, Commercial Road, Prahran 
Date: Monday, 22 to Friday, 26 February 2016
Registration: For more details visit the Monash University website. 

Hot and Steamy in Brisbane: AChSHM Annual Scientific Meeting 2016, 27 February, Brisbane

Join medical specialists, trainees, general practitioners, nurses, counsellors, public health professionals, allied health workers and health promotion experts in a lively and invigorating day of presentations and discussion.

We have developed a sizzling program that will leave you energised as we work together to improve sexual health outcomes for all people across the region. 

Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane
Date: Saturday, 27 February 2016
Registration: For more details visit the website.

AFPHM Victorian Regional Meeting, 8 March 2016, Melbourne

All AFPHM Fellows and trainees are invited to attend this meeting. Attendance can count towards your CPD. 

Venue: Melbourne RACP Office, Seminar Room, Level 2, 417 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Time: 5.30 to 7pm
RSVP: To register email AFPHM@racp.edu.au by Friday, 4 March. Light refreshments will be served. 

For more information, please contact Dr Simon Slota-Kan on +61 3 9096 0393.

2016 International Medical Symposium: Future Challenges for the Medical Profession, 11 March 2016, Sydney

AFPHM Fellows and trainees are invited to attend the 2016 International Medical Symposium (IMS) titled Future Challenges for the Medical Profession. 

Venue: Amora Hotel Sydney, 11 Jamison Street, Sydney
Date: Friday, 11 March 2016
Time: 8am to 6.30 pm 
Registration: To register visit the IMS website. 

Australasian Road Safety Conference, 6 to 8 September 2016, Canberra

Join us to share your knowledge and expedite road trauma reductions at the largest road safety-dedicated conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

Venue: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Date: Tuesday, 6 to Thursday, 8 September 2016
Registration: For more information and to register see the ARSC2016 conference website. 

The Australasian Epidemiological Association 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting, 14 to 16 September 2016, Canberra

Leading epidemiological researchers, clinical practitioners and policy makers will meet at the Australian National University to explore the translation of epidemiological research into policy and practice.
 
Join us to learn about cutting edge science, collegiality and epidemiological research that is making a difference.

Venue: Australian National University, Canberra 
Date: Wednesday, 14 to Friday, 16 September 2016
Time: 9am to 5pm
Registration: For more details visit the 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting website. 

International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities 12th International Conference on Medical Regulation, 20 to 23 September 2016, Melbourne

The International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) 2016 Conference will be hosted by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
 
A diverse program of international and local speakers will underpin IAMRA’s purpose – to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards for the profession of medicine. 

Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne
Date: Tuesday, 20 to Friday, 23 September, 2016
Registrations: For more information see the IAMRA event website. 
 

Trainee News

Save the date - 2016 AFPHM National Training Day 

The AFPHM National Training Day will be held at the RACP Offices, Adelaide this May in the lead up to the 2016 RACP Congress.

It will be a day of public health-specific content sessions followed by a social event in the evening. 
Venue: RACP Offices Adelaide 
Date: ​Saturday, 14 May 2016

Further information will be made available over the coming weeks. 

AFPHM Webinar #1: Welcome to the AFPHM Training Program 2016, 18 February 2016

This webinar will cover any updates to the Advanced Training Program in Public Health Medicine, as well as introducing the program to new trainees. 

Please note this webinar is longer than usual, to allow for extra question time if required.
While trainees are strongly encouraged to participate, all members are welcome.

Venue: Online
Date: Thursday, 18 February 2016
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm (AEDST)
Presenters: Professor Robyn Lucas (Faculty Education Committee Chair), Dr Tony Gill (Faculty Training Committee Chair) and Dr Frank Beard (Faculty Assessment Committee Chair)
Registration: For more details visit the RACP event webpage. 

Presentations Available Online from the 2015 Population Health Congress

Video recordings of the AFPHM Plenary Sessions held during Population Health Congress in 2015 are now available online. 

AFPHM President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution

Nominations are being accepted for the AFPHM President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution.

All Fellows and trainees of AFPHM are invited to nominate a Fellow or trainee and detail the contribution they have made to the Faculty in any of the following areas: 

• Education, Training and Assessment – Fellows who have contributed significantly to the Faculty’s Education, Training and Assessment programs
• Policy & Advocacy – Fellows or trainees who have contributed to the Faculty’s policy and advocacy
• Trainee Commitment Award – Trainees who have shown an outstanding commitment to the Faculty’s Education and Training Program.

Nominations close at 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, 26 February 2016. Nomination form and further information can be found via the RACP Foundation website.

Grant Alert 

Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation's Grants and Scholarships

Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation's (AMDF) research funding is focussed on understanding the biology of primary disorders of the mitochondria and improving their diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

For more information, please contact the AMDF on +61 2 8033 4113 or email Rebecca at rebecca.davis@amdf.org.au.

AFPHM Contact Details 

AFPHM Faculty enquiries (including Council and committees): 

Kerri Clarke, Executive Officer, AFPHM
Phone: +61 2 9256 9622  
Email: AFPHM@racp.edu.au

AFPHM Education and Training enquiries:
Natasha Alonzo, Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6286
Email: ​public​health@racp.edu.au

AFPHM Oral Examination enquiries:
Asha Mears, Executive Officer, Examinations Logistics
Phone: +61 2 9256 5469
Email: ​examinations@racp.edu.au

AFPHM training site accreditation enquiries:
Neelam Huda, Education Officer, Site Accreditation Unit
Phone: +61 2 9256 9674
Email: ​accreditation@racp.edu.au.

AFPHM CPD enquiries:
Shazia Tahseen, Education Officer, Office of the Dean (CPD)
Phone: +61 2 8247 6285
Email: ​my​cpd@racp.edu.au.