AFOEM eBulletin - 14 April 2023
With respect to our ongoing advocacy for action on accelerated silicosis, Dr Graeme Edwards provided some key messages to ABC radio and television recently. Graeme explained succinctly as to why an occupational lung disease registry was required and advocated for speedy introduction of legislation into parliament to support the development of the registry. Graeme also emphasised the need for Worksafe Australia to have access to specialist medical advice to address the neglected health aspects of ‘work health and safety’.
Similarly, Dr Alexandra Muthu provided very clear information in an excellent print article and associated podcast of the need for expert medical advice for addressing the silicosis epidemic in Aotearoa New Zealand.
After a long gestation, the initial meetings of the two working groups were held over the past week to progress the ‘Improving the health of healthcare workers’ project. The enthusiasm and dynamism of the participants was apparent. The importance of these projects will be enhanced by the latest amendment to the model work health and safety regulations which is now in force. The regulation now states that “a person conducting a business or undertaking must manage psychosocial risks”. This regulation applies to healthcare – as well as our own College. Safe Work Australia provides information on common psychosocial hazards at work at Psychosocial hazards | Safe Work Australia. The AFOEM curriculum learning objectives will need to be developed for the management of psychosocial issues at work.
I am delighted to inform members that Dr Peter Honeyman has been appointed as the Lead Fellow for Environmental Medicine. He brings a wealth of international experience and knowledge from his involvement with organisations and will provide input to our committees. As part of the AFOEM curriculum review, learning objectives for environmental medicine will need to be developed.
Another interview has been published between Dr Farhan Shahzad with a former AFOEM president, Dr Tim Stewart. Tim is also a strong advocate for environmental medicine practice and his words of wisdom are on the ROC.
Expressions of interest will soon be advertised for two vacancies in the Faculty Education Committee. One is for a Trainee Representative, and the other is for the CPD Lead.
Dr Warren Harrex
AFOEM President
Fellows interested in attending the NSW-ACT AFOEM training presentations are welcome to attend. Meeting dates and registration is via the ROC AFOEM community.
The AFOEM Annual Training Meeting (ATM) will be held in Brisbane Queensland from Friday, 28 to Sunday, 30 July 2023.
More details regarding site visits and the full program will be uploaded to the website closer to the event. Find out more or register.
Resources from the 2022 AFOEM ATM can be found on the RACP website, with recordings available on Medflix.
This series provides insight into the careers of retired and actively serving occupational physicians. The interview series supports collaboration amongst our peers to develop projects and compile the history of occupational medicine. On this occasion, Dr Farhan Shahzad had the pleasure of meeting Dr Tim Stewart. Read the interview on the AFOEM ROC.
AFOEM examinations – applications opening soon
The 2023 Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) exam applications open from Monday, 1 May to Friday, 12 May 2023 for all eligible trainees (who have met the training program requirements) for the September and November 2023 AFOEM exams.
Upcoming 2023 AFOEM exam dates are:
To apply, please visit the examinations webpage for each exam, download the application form and send it through to faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au before 5pm on Friday, 12 May 2023.
AFOEM Stage A & B Written Examinations
Stage A & B Written Examinations will be delivered at examination centres throughout Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in capital cities, selected at our discretion. Candidates will complete paper-based examinations.
AFOEM Stage B Practical Examination
The Stage B Practical Examination will be held in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Outpatients Department, Level 3 (Entrance Level) Port Road, Adelaide SA 5000.
If you have questions about your eligibility to sit the examination, please contact the Advanced Training Education Officer at occenvmed@racp.edu.au.
For more information regarding the application process, please email faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au or visit the Examinations webpage.
The 2023 RACP AFOEM Educational Development Grant worth up to $10,000 is just one of the grants offered in this round. This grant can go towards gaining new technical expertise, training at an institution, or providing further educational opportunities for a group in fields and competencies relevant to occupational and environmental medicine.
Other Educational Development Grants available include:
- Skilled Medical Scholarship for Advancement of Indigenous Health
- Aotearoa New Zealand Educational Development Grant
Visit the RACP Foundation webpage to see the eligibility criteria for each award and to access the online application form.
Applications for 2023 funding round one close Tuesday, 2 May 2023.
Applications for the 2024 RACP Foundation Research Awards open on Monday, 1 May 2023.
Upwards of 50 awards up to a total value of $2.5 million are available across the different categories: Career Development Fellowships, Research Establishment Fellowships and Research Entry Scholarships.
Fellows and trainees across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are eligible to apply for most awards.
Applications for Research Development Grants and Travel Grants will open Saturday, 1 July 2023.
These include the following Faculty awards:
- AFOEM Research Development Scholarship $30,000
- AFOEM Registrar Travel Fellowship $10,000
Please refer to the RACP Foundation website for information on specific eligibility requirements for each award.
We are delighted to announce that Professor Paul Kelly will present the keynote address at this year’s ANZSOM ASM. As the Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Professor Kelly is well-versed in the contemporary health issues facing workplaces and the interface with public health. Drawing on his extensive local and international experience, as well as over 30 years of research experience, Professor Kelly will no doubt set the scene for a thought-provoking meeting.
Registrations for the conference will open shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, visit the conference website for more information.
ANZSOM WA branch are pleased to announce their mini-conference, which will be held on Sunday, 13 August 2023 at the Sebel Mandurah. The conference will be held in-person for anyone who wants to attend and virtually for those living interstate.
Registrations will open shortly, so stay tuned.
In April, there are some great learning opportunities for AFOEM Fellows and trainees:
#itswhatyouknow – WA Branch Webinar
Occupational Asthma
Presenter: Dr Andrew Webster, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Physician
Date: Wednesday, 19 April 2023, 6pm (AWST) / 8pm (AEST)
Sponsored by Knight Health
#itswhatyouknow – QLD Branch Hybrid Meeting
Presenter: Dr Julia Chang, Consultant Chemical Pathologist
Date: Thursday, 27 April 2023, 6.30pm (AEST)
In-person and online – more details to come
Sponsored by QML Pathology
Visit the ANZSOM website for more information and to register.
Not an ANZSOM member?
Join ANZSOM
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The new CPD Simplified online learning resource provides Fellows with an overview of the RACP’s continuing professional development program, MyCPD. Learn how to easily plan, complete, and record activities to meet the annual CPD requirements. Access engaging case studies and examples which will help you identify CPD opportunities in your daily practice.
Don’t forget to claim CPD for time spent on RACP Online Learning.
There are many benefits of being a part of the RACP CPD Home, including access to the MyCPD platform, interactive handbooks and template, and a wide range of quality resources on the RACP Online Learning platform. We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your career to meet your CPD requirements, and our CPD team are on hand to provide you with expert and tailored support.
Looking to meet your peer review requirements and connect with colleagues? Log onto the RACP Online Community (ROC) and explore the Mentor Match program where you will find space dedicated to fulfilling the CPD Category 2: Reviewing Performance.
You have never stopped learning. We’re here to make sure that continues. My RACP. MyCPD Home.
View the short video
Did you know that the RACP Online Community (ROC) is a private, secure place where you can post messages and engage in discussions with other members? It’s also where you can take advantage of our Member and Special Interest directories and participate in our Mentor Match program.
The ROC is exclusive to RACP members and Overseas Trained Physicians (OTPs) and is the perfect way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in your community and the College as a whole.
To access the ROC, simply download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or log in via MyRACP.
Watch this short video to see how easy it is to log in to the ROC and be part of the conversation.
By completing your ‘my work profile’ you will provide us with valuable insights which we can use to make evidence-based and informed advocacy decisions for improving workforce planning. All you need to do is log in to My RACP, click ‘update my work profile’ and answer a few questions about your work activities.
Complete ‘my work profile’
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians publishes notices of events and courses as a service to members. Such publication does not constitute endorsement or mandating of any such events or courses.
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AFOEM contact details
AFOEM Faculty enquiries (including Council and committees):
LynFay Shapiro
AFOEM Executive Officer
Email: afoem@racp.edu.au
AFOEM Education and Training enquiries:
Education Officer
Phone: +61 2 8247 6268
Email: occenvmed@racp.edu.au
AFOEM Examination enquiries:
Examination Coordinator, Assessment Services
Email: faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au
AFOEM training site accreditation inquiries:
Site Accreditation Unit
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au
AFOEM CPD enquiries:
Email: mycpd@racp.edu.au